Support for Daniel Smith's Final Journey

My name is Rachel Smith Badeaux. I’m a daughter of Daniel(Dan)Smith and Edna Smith. My dad was hospitalized on January 14th with a tumor that was crushing his lung. After numerous tests, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and told that it couldn’t be cured and estimated he had about 3 months to a year to live. He was given radiation treatments and finally discharged on the 25th, 2 weeks later. His last radiation treatment was February 4th and he was supposed to start immunotherapy on February 11th.

Well, on Friday, February 7th, he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital and was told he was internally bleeding, given blood, and then transferred by ambulance to Lafayette General Hospital. While boarding in the ER, he became hypotensive and went into hemorrhagic shock. Emergency surgery was performed immediately after successful resuscitation. From surgery, he was admitted into the ICU for GI bleed, acute anemia, and melena. From there, he has been treated for pneumonia, severe malnutrition, wound care, and the final straw—blood clots on the lower and upper left lung.

We were told that there was really no treatment that wasn’t life-threatening considering everything, so the decision was made on blood thinners. The doctor explained to him that this is going to be a recurring problem due to the ulcerative surgery that he had done and the cancer. He was told that immunotherapy would not be recommended but it was his choice. With everything that he has gone through, a month of being told he was dying, he decided that he has given up. He has fought from day one and has been knocked down each time. He has lived a very happy and fulfilling 79 years. He’s tired and has accepted death and wants to move on to the Lord's house.

He is being discharged today, February 14th, after a week this time, to go home with hospice and be at peace with his family by his side. Both my parents were very hard workers all their lives and didn’t ask for anything from anyone. He and my mom are both elderly people that receive Medicare/Medicaid and social security benefits monthly and barely are able to survive, much less afford to pay anything extra needed in life like insurances.

I have started this GoFundMe account to help pay for his funeral and services so he can really rest and be at peace knowing that he’s leaving this world without having to put that burden on mom. I ask that you help me be able to do this by donating whatever you can and also want to thank you for taking the time to read this. God bless each and every one of us…