Rick's Fearless Fight with Cancer!
Donation protected
First of all, thank you for being here and sharing our campaign. In the past 2 weeks, my son, Rick and his beautiful family have had their world rocked, shaken, and flipped upside down. No matter how you know Rick, you know he is the warmest, most family-focused, and optimistic person. His four kids and wife, Charesa, are always his biggest priority. This family has been a shining light for so many the past few years; now is the time for us to give back and show them that love is, indeed, always the answer.
As some of you may know, for the past couple of months, Rick has been suffering from lower abdominal pain. Initially, they thought he had a work-related injury, possibly a hernia or torn abdominal muscle. After ruling out those diagnoses and weeks of testing with no results he was finally referred to a GI specialist. After more testing, trips to the emergency room, and uncontrollable severe abdominal pain he was admitted to the hospital. After a more extensive CT scan and exam were done, doctors discovered the presence of a large colon mass. Rick was taken into emergency surgery where they removed the mass, 12 inches of colon, and his lymph nodes.
The first surgery was successful and went better than the surgeon expected, our prayers were answered. Even though Rick was up and walking quickly after surgery, he suffered several setbacks within the first few days. His colon and stomach stopped “working” causing him the need to have an NG tube placed. His determination shined bright as he walked up to 6 times a day to waken his stomach and have that tube removed. Within 48 hours of having the NG tube removed, his colon shut down again. At this point, Rick had gone almost 10 days without substantial nutrition, and it was taking a toll on his body as he started experiencing full-body spasms and cramps. The doctors decided to place a PICC line to provide him with some much-needed nutrition and pain control.
Eight days after his first surgery – and still unable to digest foods, Rick was taken back in for a second emergency surgery. During this laparotomy, it was discovered his colon resection had a small leak. It was decided to go ahead and place a temporary colostomy bag. The hope is that by repairing the leak, this will allow his body to properly heal and retain nutrition. For now, they have inserted another NG tube and he still has the PICC line.
Within 48 hours of the second surgery, another boulder came tumbling down onto this family. The pathology results from the mass and lymph nodes removed from the first surgery came back as positive for cancer - specifically Stage 3 Colorectal Adenocarcinoma. Within 6-8 weeks of being released from the hospital, Rick will need to start chemotherapy treatments that will tentatively last for 6 months.
As you can imagine, chemotherapy treatment is expensive, and Rick and his family could use all the financial support they can get. If you would like to assist with their financial burden, any donation would be greatly appreciated. All funds raised will go directly to Rick’s medical costs, as well as to help deal with the financial repercussions of his current condition. Most importantly we want to make sure that Rick's health and recovery can be their family’s primary focus.
On behalf of Rick & Charesa and their entire family, we are so appreciative of the outpouring of love, prayers, and support shown over the past few weeks and undoubtedly in the months to come.
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
As some of you may know, for the past couple of months, Rick has been suffering from lower abdominal pain. Initially, they thought he had a work-related injury, possibly a hernia or torn abdominal muscle. After ruling out those diagnoses and weeks of testing with no results he was finally referred to a GI specialist. After more testing, trips to the emergency room, and uncontrollable severe abdominal pain he was admitted to the hospital. After a more extensive CT scan and exam were done, doctors discovered the presence of a large colon mass. Rick was taken into emergency surgery where they removed the mass, 12 inches of colon, and his lymph nodes.
The first surgery was successful and went better than the surgeon expected, our prayers were answered. Even though Rick was up and walking quickly after surgery, he suffered several setbacks within the first few days. His colon and stomach stopped “working” causing him the need to have an NG tube placed. His determination shined bright as he walked up to 6 times a day to waken his stomach and have that tube removed. Within 48 hours of having the NG tube removed, his colon shut down again. At this point, Rick had gone almost 10 days without substantial nutrition, and it was taking a toll on his body as he started experiencing full-body spasms and cramps. The doctors decided to place a PICC line to provide him with some much-needed nutrition and pain control.
Eight days after his first surgery – and still unable to digest foods, Rick was taken back in for a second emergency surgery. During this laparotomy, it was discovered his colon resection had a small leak. It was decided to go ahead and place a temporary colostomy bag. The hope is that by repairing the leak, this will allow his body to properly heal and retain nutrition. For now, they have inserted another NG tube and he still has the PICC line.
Within 48 hours of the second surgery, another boulder came tumbling down onto this family. The pathology results from the mass and lymph nodes removed from the first surgery came back as positive for cancer - specifically Stage 3 Colorectal Adenocarcinoma. Within 6-8 weeks of being released from the hospital, Rick will need to start chemotherapy treatments that will tentatively last for 6 months.
As you can imagine, chemotherapy treatment is expensive, and Rick and his family could use all the financial support they can get. If you would like to assist with their financial burden, any donation would be greatly appreciated. All funds raised will go directly to Rick’s medical costs, as well as to help deal with the financial repercussions of his current condition. Most importantly we want to make sure that Rick's health and recovery can be their family’s primary focus.
On behalf of Rick & Charesa and their entire family, we are so appreciative of the outpouring of love, prayers, and support shown over the past few weeks and undoubtedly in the months to come.
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;
For the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
Organizer and beneficiary
Debbie Day
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
Rick N Charesa Day
Beneficiary