Dear friends and family,
On March 12th, the lives of our dear friends, Jay and Rebecka O'Neal, took an unexpected turn with a challenging diagnosis. Jay, a loving husband, father, and Pappy, was diagnosed with a rare cancer called extra skeletal Myoxiod Chondrosarcoma.
In a twist of fate, Jay has always joked that he's "one in a million," and sadly, this rare diagnosis has proven just that.
The tumor is located in Jay's left knee and is visibly present. After seeing two different orthopedic doctors who referred to the tumor as a ganglion cyst, Jay decided to get a third opinion at The Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately, the true nature of Jay's condition has come to light.
Unfortunately, this specific type of cancer does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation. The only path to removing it from Jay's body is through surgery. After careful consideration and a second opinion at MD Anderson, Jay and Rebecka have made the difficult decision to proceed with the amputation of Jay's left leg. The alternative, extensive reconstruction, carried significant risks of infection, recurrence, and other complications.
Jay and Rebecka are deeply loved by so many. Rebecka's clients at her salon, their church families across the country through their 19 years of involvement in Celebrate Recovery, and countless family and friends are all part of their strong support system.
To be fully present and provide the care Jay will need in the coming months, Rebecka will be closing her children's hair salon of 12 and a half years. Jay will also be on short-term disability for the next six months. As you can imagine, the future holds many unknowns, including the necessary modifications to their home to ensure Jay's safety and comfort.
Knowing Jay's desire to enjoy one last hike before surgery, as it may be some time before he can do so again, adds another layer of emotional weight to this situation.
Rebecka is aware that we are setting up this GoFundMe. However, Jay is a very proud man and would never ask for help himself. Therefore, we are asking for your generosity in supporting them anonymously.
Your contributions will help alleviate the financial burden of lost income, medical expenses, potential home modifications, and other unforeseen costs associated with Jay's surgery and recovery.
If you have any direct questions, please feel free to reach out to Rebecka directly.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and generosity during this challenging time. Please keep Jay and Rebecka in your prayers.
With love and gratitude, Jessica Shack