Donation protected
Update: Dad is still a fighter!
But... Today, on Mary (Sam's) birthday, she was in a car accident, and her 1996 GMC Jimmy was totalled.
Not a good birthday. She is ok thus far, but rattled. And their land line is not working and neither she nor dad know why. Just another thing to add to the list...
The Jimmy was a (semi) reliable car that they used whenever they went to Columbia, Mo to take my dad to the doctor. Their only other car is a VERY, VERY unreliable 1990 Buick.
Mary (Sam) and my dad are projected to recieve a small amount of money to replace the Jimmy. It's valued at less than $2000. Even if they sold the Buick, they cannot buy something remotely safe and reliable.
Please help turn Mary's birthday around and let's get put a smile on her face!
My dad, Gregory Williams, the Marine who served his country at the Fall of Saigon, has Amyloidosis, an extremely rare disease, and Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer.
Watch this video about Amyloid awareness, narrated by Michael York - who is living with Amyloidosis
In the 1970's, my father was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. The Marine camp's water supply was contaminated by dry cleaning chemicals and an oil spill. Since then, many stationed there and their families have been afflicted with odd cancers, like male breast cancer, birth defects, and nervous system disorders.
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/
Though my dad is being treated at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, Mo., no one ever thought to connect the Amyloidosis with his residence in Camp Lejeune. My dad and step-mom, Mary (aka Sam Gordon), discovered this on their own.
There is no cure. But treatment options are available if caught in time.
My dad's 5'10" frame has been reduced to 121 lbs at his lowest. His pain is inescapable, as the Amyloid protein has attacked his nervous system.
Currently, dad is undergoing chemotherapy treatments twice a week, and taking chemo drugs at home as well. If he does well with it, and the Amyloid proteins are reduced, he will travel to a VA hospital in Nashville for a stem-cell transplant. This entails removing his stem-cells, then treating him with high-dose chemotherapy until all the Amyloids are gone, and then reintroducing his stem-cells. There is reportedly a 10 - 15% mortality rate with this treatment.
Any donation to help my father is a blessing. The money will go to help with medical bills, and living and travel expenses related to his treatment. It may also go towards legal assistance.
Dad and Mary/Sam live on a 160 acre ranch with 15 horses, 2 dogs, and 1 kitty. It is costly to take care of all the animals and lots of work for one woman to maintain such a property, all the while being the exclusive caregiver for Dad. What she is doing means the world to me.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.
Dina
But... Today, on Mary (Sam's) birthday, she was in a car accident, and her 1996 GMC Jimmy was totalled.
Not a good birthday. She is ok thus far, but rattled. And their land line is not working and neither she nor dad know why. Just another thing to add to the list...
The Jimmy was a (semi) reliable car that they used whenever they went to Columbia, Mo to take my dad to the doctor. Their only other car is a VERY, VERY unreliable 1990 Buick.
Mary (Sam) and my dad are projected to recieve a small amount of money to replace the Jimmy. It's valued at less than $2000. Even if they sold the Buick, they cannot buy something remotely safe and reliable.
Please help turn Mary's birthday around and let's get put a smile on her face!
My dad, Gregory Williams, the Marine who served his country at the Fall of Saigon, has Amyloidosis, an extremely rare disease, and Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer.
Watch this video about Amyloid awareness, narrated by Michael York - who is living with Amyloidosis
In the 1970's, my father was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. The Marine camp's water supply was contaminated by dry cleaning chemicals and an oil spill. Since then, many stationed there and their families have been afflicted with odd cancers, like male breast cancer, birth defects, and nervous system disorders.
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/
Though my dad is being treated at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, Mo., no one ever thought to connect the Amyloidosis with his residence in Camp Lejeune. My dad and step-mom, Mary (aka Sam Gordon), discovered this on their own.
There is no cure. But treatment options are available if caught in time.
My dad's 5'10" frame has been reduced to 121 lbs at his lowest. His pain is inescapable, as the Amyloid protein has attacked his nervous system.
Currently, dad is undergoing chemotherapy treatments twice a week, and taking chemo drugs at home as well. If he does well with it, and the Amyloid proteins are reduced, he will travel to a VA hospital in Nashville for a stem-cell transplant. This entails removing his stem-cells, then treating him with high-dose chemotherapy until all the Amyloids are gone, and then reintroducing his stem-cells. There is reportedly a 10 - 15% mortality rate with this treatment.
Any donation to help my father is a blessing. The money will go to help with medical bills, and living and travel expenses related to his treatment. It may also go towards legal assistance.
Dad and Mary/Sam live on a 160 acre ranch with 15 horses, 2 dogs, and 1 kitty. It is costly to take care of all the animals and lots of work for one woman to maintain such a property, all the while being the exclusive caregiver for Dad. What she is doing means the world to me.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.
Dina
Organizer
Dina Morgan
Organizer
Saint Charles, MO