Support HS Math Teacher Samuel Parish's Recovery Journey

I am a high school math teacher and am humbly asking for your support while fully recovering from cancer surgery.

In August of 2023, the beginning of my new school year, I started having excruciating back pains. The pain was so unbearable at times I couldn’t get out of bed. I missed several days of school at a time because of this pain. I talked with my doctor and he referred me to an orthopedic spine surgeon. While at my appointment, they took X-rays and a MRI of my mid to lower back area. When time came to discuss the results, the doctor informed me that my L5-S1 demonstrates facet hypertrophy along with a disc bulge with severe bilateral foraminal narrowing. She also found something else from the tests.

She pulled up a screenshot of my MRI and asked me if I was aware of the quarter size cyst on my right kidney and the large mass/lesion (approx. 6.9 cm in diameter) on my left kidney. I was aware of the cyst on my right kidney but when I looked at the image, my heart dropped and the worst thoughts flooded my mind. I did not know about this. My heart started racing and tears began to fall. One of my worst fears appears to be happening. The doctor told me I should go see a urologist for more in-depth analysis of the mass. She said the mass on my kidney should take precedence over my back issue for now and once that issue is resolved they will work on your other issue. I was given this bombshell 11/13/2023.

I then emailed my primary care doctor and asked him to give me referral to see a Urologist. After explaining the results of the appointment with the orthopedic spine surgeon, he referred me to a Urologist. Before the appointment with the Urologist, I had to get another MRI. I haven’t met my deductible yet for my health insurance so the bill was pretty high. I was fortunate enough to have a FSA (Flex Spending Account) that covered the bill.

During my appointment with the Urologist, he gave me the results of the MRI and showed me images. He told me I have a large mass on my left kidney about 7.2 cm in diameter. He said he was not sure if it was cancer or not but I need to get it removed right away because it grew. That appointment was 1/30/2024. The referral process with my BCBS of TX insurance is very slow. He wanted me to get a referral to a surgical urologist oncologist to prepare for surgery. The earliest I could see that specialist was 2/27/2024.

That doctor’s office wanted me to get a CT Scan with and without contrast before the appointment. I had just enough left on my FSA to cover the bill. After that exam I had to pay my doctor’s visits and medical bills out of pocket. During my appointment, the surgeon told me the results of my CT Scan. He told me usually growths presumed to be cancer would have a glowing effect when using contrast. He said my tumor lit up. He did tell me they will not know if it is truly cancerous until I go through the procedure to get it removed. He also told me there was a 50% chance they would have to remove the kidney but they will not know until they are performing the surgery.

Before getting the procedure done, I had to take a stress test to see if my heart will be able to handle the surgery because of my heart murmur. So I had to get referrals for a cardiologist and a pulmonologist. The referral process took a long time to be approved because my primary doctor has to make the referral not the attending doctor who suggested them.

While waiting for the approvals and get appointments scheduled, I got sick. I had to have 2 emergency surgeries performed. I had a gallstone blockage removed one day and my gallbladder removed the next day. This happened 3/11/2024. I was out of commission for 11 days. I lost income because I no longer had any sick leave remaining and started to fall behind on my bills. I still had to do follow-ups about my surgery and appointments involving my kidney. I had to exhaust credit cards to pay for copays, medications, transportation (I do not have a vehicle so I had to either take public transportation or an Uber/Lyft). I tried to remain positive and pushed through.

After passing my stress tests and completing my followup doctors’ visits, I finally got a date set for my surgery which was August 12, 2024 (the first day of school) which also required a referral. I had my surgery which required them to remove my left kidney. I had Grade 3 Stage 2 Renal Cell Carcinoma. I was in the hospital close to 2 weeks and was homebound for another 7 weeks all while not receiving any income. Family tried the best they can to help with bare necessities but I fell so far behind that it was impossible to recover while still recovering from my procedure.

I went back to work early to make some income but that wasn’t nearly enough. It was hard to get to and from work with very little money for public transportation. I became behind on rent and other important bills. My medical bills were piling up; some requiring payment before I can be seen again. I fell into a deep depression all the while trying to put on a brave face and teach my students. I didn’t qualify for any loans because I don’t have any collateral. I would go home and cry most days after work not knowing what I could do to get out of this. I was able to get to a food pantry to help with food. I fell 2 months behind on rent. Fortunately I was able to talk with my apartment manager to keep from getting evicted. I still received eviction notices and eventually will have to pay the back rent and current rent with penalties but I am grateful to have a roof over my head. 2023 and 2024 have truly been tough and challenging for me.

Your prayers and donations will truly help get me through this challenging time especially while I am still recovering. Any assistance would greatly be appreciated. Many blessings to you and yours!