Support Richard's Fight for Life

Hello!

I would first like to begin by saying thank you for taking the time out of your day to open this, even for just a glimpse. My name is Megan Talmadge, daughter of Richard Talmadge. Out of three, I am his only daughter. I have an older brother, Zach, and a younger brother, Matthew.

During a family vacation over spring break, we noticed changes in my father's personality and behavior. After coming back home and admitting him for CT and MRI imaging, lesions were found in multiple areas of his brain.

A week later, on April 6 2022, our lives changed forever. The biopsy taken from one of the several lesions had been discovered to be malignant, a condition called Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma's are aggressive, rapidly developing cancerous lesions that grow within the brain. There is no research evidencing the cause of this disease, only that it is treatable and incurable.

Friday, April 15 2022, my father had undergone neurosurgery with the ultimate goal of removing the bulk of the largest lesion. By Sunday, April 17 2022, my father's brain has become inflamed and swollen as a result of the aggresive surgery.

As of today, Tuesday, April 19 2022, my father remains in the Neuro. Intensive Care Unit at the Smilow Cancer Center of Yale New Haven. As a result of the brain swelling, my father's consciousness waivers, and his speech has become slurred. His condition remains the same as he continues to fight through his hospitalization, in hopes to come home and further his treatment to prolong his life.

If you didn't know my father, he'd want you to know that he worked as a registered nurse for almost 30 years, and as grueling as it was, he found fulfilment and reward in making a difference and helping others. Similarly, he has supported my brothers and I, and our future and happiness had always superceded his.

I created this page in hopes of raising money towards affording the best medical treatment possible. And although I may tremble as I write this, I remind myself that there is hope in positive energy, and to not allow fear grip me while on this journey.

I plead that money is no object. Any share, prayer, and positive thoughts can and will change the course of fate. If you have made it this far, thank you infinitely for taking the time to read.

No miracle is too small, and we pray to take our father home, even for one last time. God bless and thank you so much.