#RodneyStrong : Battle With Terminal Cancer
Donation protected
Two days after Christmas 2021, on Monday December 27th, my husband Rodney was scheduled for a biopsy on his larynx (voice box). His doctor's suspicions were confirmed. Rodney has cancer of the larynx. The doctor found his trachea to be severly constricted and was required to have emergency surgery to place a tracheostomy. He would spend the rest of the week in the hospital...WE would spend the rest of the week in the hospital. This was supposed to be a routine biopsy procedure with him coming home that same day. Our entire world was shook. In a matter of a week, we were taught on the care of his tracheostomy, suctioning/deep suctioning of his trach, what to expect when discharged from hospital, counseling on the different treatment options available to him. We even met with a sweet 80-year-old lady who underwent a laryngectomy 20 years ago, answering our questions, and easing any concerns we had. This was all happening so fast. We needed to make a decision. Because of Rodney's family history with cancer, we both decided surgery was the best option. This was highly suggested by the doctors as well. There was a brief moment when Rodney backed out from wanting surgery because, let's face it, it's surgery. His entire voice box would be removed. He'll no longer get to speak using HIS voice. Ultimately, regardless of whatever Rodney decided to do, I assured him that I would support him 100%. He decided to go through with the surgery.
Monday February 7th was the day Rodney and I were both anticipating. He was ready and I was ready...we were both united in that front. However, I'm sure our minds had our own separate worries. I worried that something could go wrong. I worried that my husband wouldn't make it. I worried for the future of our family. What was to be 7 hours of surgery ended up being only 5 hours. He did it! He made it! His laryngectomy surgery went well. But now, we have a long road ahead of us. All the follow-up doctors' visits, the maintenance that goes into the care and upkeep with Rodney's larytube, prosthetic voice box, HME cassettes, etc. Feeding tube and food, albeit temporary. Therapy. Missed work, and the uncertainty of my husband's future at his job of 15 years, as the environment could compromise his health. This is a lifelong ordeal. I am hopeful though. We have an awesome support system around us. I know that, in time, we will learn to live with this "new normal".
At 48 years old, Rodney has so much more life to live. We have 3 sons and 4 grandchildren with one on the way.
I am creating this fundraiser to help with all the expenses accrued from both of my husband's hospital stays, doctors' bills, therapy, medical supplies, tests, and any other expenses pertaining to and evolving around my husband's medical condition and care (past, present, and future). This would be a huge burden lifted off our shoulders...off my shoulders, if we could at least have one less thing to worry about.
Please, would you kindly consider giving whatever it is you can, no matter how big or small? I am unsure what all these things will cost us in the end, it's overwhelming to even think about but every little bit helps and goes a long way.
Thank you in advance and from the bottom of my heart for helping our family.
*** I'd like to make special mention of all the staff (especially nurses) at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for their care and patience with my husband and myself during both hospitalizations. Of course, many thanks to Rodney's surgical teams, all the doctors/specialists that came in and out of his room to check on his progress, respiratory therapists, speech therapist, and case managers. I am so grateful for them, each and every one.
To our family ... there were days when all I could do was wait until I could get a moment to myself, by myself, and just cry. But in those moments, I would reach for your words of encouragement, your support, your love...and this gave me strength. There are no words to describe the warmth and love that I felt with all your daily texts, calls, pictures, and especially your prayers. You all have helped me to help Rodney get through what I feel is the worse part of all this, and I am comforted in knowing that you all will continue to be here for us. We are so blessed to have you all in our lives. I love y'all ❤
Monday February 7th was the day Rodney and I were both anticipating. He was ready and I was ready...we were both united in that front. However, I'm sure our minds had our own separate worries. I worried that something could go wrong. I worried that my husband wouldn't make it. I worried for the future of our family. What was to be 7 hours of surgery ended up being only 5 hours. He did it! He made it! His laryngectomy surgery went well. But now, we have a long road ahead of us. All the follow-up doctors' visits, the maintenance that goes into the care and upkeep with Rodney's larytube, prosthetic voice box, HME cassettes, etc. Feeding tube and food, albeit temporary. Therapy. Missed work, and the uncertainty of my husband's future at his job of 15 years, as the environment could compromise his health. This is a lifelong ordeal. I am hopeful though. We have an awesome support system around us. I know that, in time, we will learn to live with this "new normal".
At 48 years old, Rodney has so much more life to live. We have 3 sons and 4 grandchildren with one on the way.
We have one more hurdle to cross, and that's my husband's pathology results, where we will learn the stage, margins, and if his surgery cleared his cancer.
I am creating this fundraiser to help with all the expenses accrued from both of my husband's hospital stays, doctors' bills, therapy, medical supplies, tests, and any other expenses pertaining to and evolving around my husband's medical condition and care (past, present, and future). This would be a huge burden lifted off our shoulders...off my shoulders, if we could at least have one less thing to worry about.
Please, would you kindly consider giving whatever it is you can, no matter how big or small? I am unsure what all these things will cost us in the end, it's overwhelming to even think about but every little bit helps and goes a long way.
Thank you in advance and from the bottom of my heart for helping our family.
*** I'd like to make special mention of all the staff (especially nurses) at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for their care and patience with my husband and myself during both hospitalizations. Of course, many thanks to Rodney's surgical teams, all the doctors/specialists that came in and out of his room to check on his progress, respiratory therapists, speech therapist, and case managers. I am so grateful for them, each and every one.
To our family ... there were days when all I could do was wait until I could get a moment to myself, by myself, and just cry. But in those moments, I would reach for your words of encouragement, your support, your love...and this gave me strength. There are no words to describe the warmth and love that I felt with all your daily texts, calls, pictures, and especially your prayers. You all have helped me to help Rodney get through what I feel is the worse part of all this, and I am comforted in knowing that you all will continue to be here for us. We are so blessed to have you all in our lives. I love y'all ❤
Co-organizers (2)
Maria Boone
Organizer
Virginia Beach, VA
Robbernette Boone
Co-organizer