Support Jeff and Family During This Crisis

Hello, my name is Kaitlyn Simmons. I am the daughter of Jeff and Kathy Simmons. Since 2021, my family has been quietly supporting my father through the fight for his life.

Out of respect for my father’s decision to keep his diagnoses private, we have not spoken to many people about what was going on. Unfortunately, at the beginning of this year, we received news that no one deserves and have decided it was time to share what was really happening.

In August of 2021, my father was admitted into the hospital for COVID-related illness, and during a CT scan looking for lung damage from COVID, a large mass was seen in his liver. He was officially diagnosed in November with cholangiocarcinoma just days before the birth of his first grandbaby, Maverick. This cancer is a rare and extremely aggressive type of cancer and was caused by undiagnosed hemochromatosis, which is a genetic mutation that causes your body to overload on iron. Our family will have to be tested for this gene, and so far, it was found that I am a carrier of this gene, which carries the risk of iron overload later in life.

Since then, he has undergone countless rounds of chemotherapy, multiple radiation sessions for different areas, and a diagnosis of lung cancer as well. From all these treatments, we were “in the clear” for a few months until July 2024, when we noticed my father having severe neurological deficits such as one-sided weakness, loss of use of one side, confusion, etc. With my mother and I being in healthcare, we knew this wasn’t good, and after an MRI, my father was immediately admitted to MD Anderson’s ICU awaiting brain surgery the next day.

Since then, he has gone through more chemo and radiation, which has made him extremely ill. Despite everything, the cancer has spread everywhere in his body, especially his bones. He is in constant pain at all times. He is in liver failure and requires paracentesis biweekly to keep him comfortable as well as able to breathe and eat. His cancer is no longer treatable.

These last few years have exhausted our funds as my father has been the sole provider my entire life, and despite having terminal cancer, my father has worked the entire time in the Texas heat and cold as a heavy machinery mechanic. As of now, he is no longer able to work because his bones are fragile, and if he were to fall or be injured in any way, it will be severe, and he will not survive the recovery. Now, with a change in insurance, obtaining care and treatment are out of reach. His out-of-pocket for a paracentesis is approximately $3,000, and we have had to cancel an infusion to help strengthen his bones due to the out-of-pocket cost being over $13,000. He is no longer able to be seen at MD Anderson, and our local healthcare system is out of network now as well.

He has been unable to relax and enjoy being a grandfather to his grandsons, and my mother is losing her person she has been with since she was 17 years old.

We just need help and are struggling to help keep him comfortable and support our family as we come to terms with everything.

We appreciate ANYTHING that helps, whether it be financial, spiritual, emotional, or any resources you may have.