Stand by Kerry & Lorinda
Donation protected
In May 2017 our lives were changed forever when the doctors found a lump in my dad’s bladder.
Unfortunately the lump was cancerous and it had spread to the muscle of his bladder.
Dad then underwent 8 weeks of double dose chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumour, before surgery.
In September of the same year, he had a bladder cystectomy (removal of the bladder) to try to rid his body of the cancer. They also removed his prostate, appendix, part of the urinary tract, 22 lymph nodes and part of his bowel. He was then fitted with a stoma bag.
I will never forget how weak and vulnerable my dad was when he came out of surgery, it absolutely broke my heart.
This was extremely hard for my dad to accept, however by Christmas time he had learned to cope and was actually starting to make jokes about the new addition he had attached to him.
In January he was lucky to get the ‘all clear’ from the doctors. The cancer hasn’t spread and everything looked good. We were so happy and relieved.
This was short lived though. After being in constant pain for over two months my dad was once again admitted to hospital. He had further scans and tests to try to find the cause of the pain.
Last Friday, our fears were confirmed. The cancer had returned and it was classified as inoperable. The cancer had metastasized into a 25mm x 25mm tumour in his pelvis. I can’t even begin to explain the devastation we felt. The look on my dad’s face when the oncologist told him it was all back, was like someone had just stabbed me in the heart.
Dad’s only options are now to travel to Orange for radiation to hopefully shrink the growth enough to take away some of pain and prolong his life for as long as possible. He is also being considered to undergo trial therapy in Newcastle to hopefully prolong his life a little longer.
Througout all of this, my mum was made redundant from her job in June last year. She has been working casually as much as possible to keep her and dad out of the red. This has been extremely difficult however mum has not complained once.
The time has now come though that my mum needs to give up her job to look after dad and be there for him. She’s unable to do that at the moment as the bills are piling up and dad’s medication costs a fortune.
I’m not asking for help so that mum and dad can travel the world and do amazing things. I’m asking for help so that mum and dad can be together and not stress about the continuous bills. They will need to fund the trips to Orange and Newcastle, as well as dad’s medical bills.
Dad’s biggest fear is leaving this earth and leaving mum with nothing. He has worked his whole life and never ever once asked for help or a hand out. He is horrified at the thought of me making this page, even after all he’s been through, he still has his pride.
If the trial in Newcastle has a possibility of giving us longer with our dad, then I’m desperate for them to go there.
My brother and I have grown up with the most wonderful dad you could ask for. And I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a daddy’s girl.
I also have four children that adore their pop, and they deserve to grow up knowing him and creating memories with him.
I’m just hoping to raise enough money to take away one part of mum and dad’s daily stress. Anything will help them. I’m desperate to do whatever I can. I need my dad.
Unfortunately the lump was cancerous and it had spread to the muscle of his bladder.
Dad then underwent 8 weeks of double dose chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumour, before surgery.
In September of the same year, he had a bladder cystectomy (removal of the bladder) to try to rid his body of the cancer. They also removed his prostate, appendix, part of the urinary tract, 22 lymph nodes and part of his bowel. He was then fitted with a stoma bag.
I will never forget how weak and vulnerable my dad was when he came out of surgery, it absolutely broke my heart.
This was extremely hard for my dad to accept, however by Christmas time he had learned to cope and was actually starting to make jokes about the new addition he had attached to him.
In January he was lucky to get the ‘all clear’ from the doctors. The cancer hasn’t spread and everything looked good. We were so happy and relieved.
This was short lived though. After being in constant pain for over two months my dad was once again admitted to hospital. He had further scans and tests to try to find the cause of the pain.
Last Friday, our fears were confirmed. The cancer had returned and it was classified as inoperable. The cancer had metastasized into a 25mm x 25mm tumour in his pelvis. I can’t even begin to explain the devastation we felt. The look on my dad’s face when the oncologist told him it was all back, was like someone had just stabbed me in the heart.
Dad’s only options are now to travel to Orange for radiation to hopefully shrink the growth enough to take away some of pain and prolong his life for as long as possible. He is also being considered to undergo trial therapy in Newcastle to hopefully prolong his life a little longer.
Througout all of this, my mum was made redundant from her job in June last year. She has been working casually as much as possible to keep her and dad out of the red. This has been extremely difficult however mum has not complained once.
The time has now come though that my mum needs to give up her job to look after dad and be there for him. She’s unable to do that at the moment as the bills are piling up and dad’s medication costs a fortune.
I’m not asking for help so that mum and dad can travel the world and do amazing things. I’m asking for help so that mum and dad can be together and not stress about the continuous bills. They will need to fund the trips to Orange and Newcastle, as well as dad’s medical bills.
Dad’s biggest fear is leaving this earth and leaving mum with nothing. He has worked his whole life and never ever once asked for help or a hand out. He is horrified at the thought of me making this page, even after all he’s been through, he still has his pride.
If the trial in Newcastle has a possibility of giving us longer with our dad, then I’m desperate for them to go there.
My brother and I have grown up with the most wonderful dad you could ask for. And I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a daddy’s girl.
I also have four children that adore their pop, and they deserve to grow up knowing him and creating memories with him.
I’m just hoping to raise enough money to take away one part of mum and dad’s daily stress. Anything will help them. I’m desperate to do whatever I can. I need my dad.
Organizer
Chrystle Naden
Organizer
Dubbo NSW
