Randy Jones Medical Fund
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Randy Jones from Newport, N. C. Many of my college friends, call me "YARDDOG", as I played the electric guitar with a band at Barton College by that name.
Over the years, I have been blessed with good health and a supportive family. I am a heating and air contractor with with Carteret-Craven Real Estate in Havelock, NC. Since I am a contractor, my income is based on my ability to work.
In December 2014, I began to notice a little sore throat, which would subside by mid day, so I just passed it off. However, by January, 2015 the sore throat continued to worsen, then I began having lots of pain when trying to swallow food. I didn't have health insurance as I am a contractor, thus I was afraid to go to the doctor prior to getting insurance as I might be diagnosed with something that could be considered a pre-existing condition. My Mom got involved and helped me get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Just as soon as I was approved for coverage, I immediately whet to an outpatient clinic, where the doctor said I had an acid reflux problem and needed to see a gastroentologist. My Mom and I just couldn't imagine that this type throat pain could be from acid reflux, but we did set up an appointment with a Duke gastroentologist, which was a month away.
Over the following 2 weeks, my health problems escalated with severe ear pain and I could only swallow liquids. We immediately call the Duke Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, where we got an appointment with Dr. Cohen the following week.
April 16, 2015 Dr. Cohen , a neck and head surgeon, diagnosed my problem as THROAT CANCER OF THE LARYNX, to include one lymph node. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing, so shocking. He immediately referred me to Dr. Walter Tsong, a throat surgeon at Duke, who discussed at length the range of treatments to include radiation, chemotherapy or throat surgery to remove the voice box. Pretty overwelming news. He stated he would need to do a biopsy under anethesia due to the location. In the meantime he referred me to Dr. David Yoo, a neck and head radiologist.
What Dr. Yoo laid out for me was a real mixed bag, to include the side effects of 35 radiation and chemotherapy treatments over 7 weeks. I asked Dr. Yoo if the treatments could be done by a local hospital close to my home in Carteret County, but due to the very specialized treatment and the location of the cancer, he insisted the treatments be conducted at Duke Cancer Center. With that news so many new issues arose, to include the need for two months of housing near Duke Hospital, a requirement that a family member be with me througout the treatment, as I would be on heavy pain medications and be out of work for four months until I could get my strength back. What was I going to do for money to cover my household expenses and the costs of the room I needed, not to mention the exhorbitant cost of medical care and prescriptions. I wasn't eligible for unemployment as I am a contractor.
So many questions, so many concerns, where does one begin to deal with all of these problems.
I met with a social worker who helped me get a room at Caring House for cancer patients, near Duke where the cost of the room was $30 per night. Sure did beat a $100 a night in a hotel.
On May 1st, I begin my treatments. I am ready the begin the process, while at the same time I am filled with anxiety about the unknown and what the future holds for me and my family. As I move foward, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers for me and my doctors, as they administer my treatments. I know my life is in God's hands and I trust that all will go well. Each time Dr. Walter Tsong has seen me, he always ask me what the 3 F's are --- FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. They are so important in everyone's life.
Some of my friends have offered to financially help, so I decided to develop this site to tell you my story and give you updates on my progress. If you feel you can make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated.
May God Bless Each of You!
Randy Jones
Over the years, I have been blessed with good health and a supportive family. I am a heating and air contractor with with Carteret-Craven Real Estate in Havelock, NC. Since I am a contractor, my income is based on my ability to work.
In December 2014, I began to notice a little sore throat, which would subside by mid day, so I just passed it off. However, by January, 2015 the sore throat continued to worsen, then I began having lots of pain when trying to swallow food. I didn't have health insurance as I am a contractor, thus I was afraid to go to the doctor prior to getting insurance as I might be diagnosed with something that could be considered a pre-existing condition. My Mom got involved and helped me get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Just as soon as I was approved for coverage, I immediately whet to an outpatient clinic, where the doctor said I had an acid reflux problem and needed to see a gastroentologist. My Mom and I just couldn't imagine that this type throat pain could be from acid reflux, but we did set up an appointment with a Duke gastroentologist, which was a month away.
Over the following 2 weeks, my health problems escalated with severe ear pain and I could only swallow liquids. We immediately call the Duke Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, where we got an appointment with Dr. Cohen the following week.
April 16, 2015 Dr. Cohen , a neck and head surgeon, diagnosed my problem as THROAT CANCER OF THE LARYNX, to include one lymph node. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing, so shocking. He immediately referred me to Dr. Walter Tsong, a throat surgeon at Duke, who discussed at length the range of treatments to include radiation, chemotherapy or throat surgery to remove the voice box. Pretty overwelming news. He stated he would need to do a biopsy under anethesia due to the location. In the meantime he referred me to Dr. David Yoo, a neck and head radiologist.
What Dr. Yoo laid out for me was a real mixed bag, to include the side effects of 35 radiation and chemotherapy treatments over 7 weeks. I asked Dr. Yoo if the treatments could be done by a local hospital close to my home in Carteret County, but due to the very specialized treatment and the location of the cancer, he insisted the treatments be conducted at Duke Cancer Center. With that news so many new issues arose, to include the need for two months of housing near Duke Hospital, a requirement that a family member be with me througout the treatment, as I would be on heavy pain medications and be out of work for four months until I could get my strength back. What was I going to do for money to cover my household expenses and the costs of the room I needed, not to mention the exhorbitant cost of medical care and prescriptions. I wasn't eligible for unemployment as I am a contractor.
So many questions, so many concerns, where does one begin to deal with all of these problems.
I met with a social worker who helped me get a room at Caring House for cancer patients, near Duke where the cost of the room was $30 per night. Sure did beat a $100 a night in a hotel.
On May 1st, I begin my treatments. I am ready the begin the process, while at the same time I am filled with anxiety about the unknown and what the future holds for me and my family. As I move foward, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers for me and my doctors, as they administer my treatments. I know my life is in God's hands and I trust that all will go well. Each time Dr. Walter Tsong has seen me, he always ask me what the 3 F's are --- FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. They are so important in everyone's life.
Some of my friends have offered to financially help, so I decided to develop this site to tell you my story and give you updates on my progress. If you feel you can make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated.
May God Bless Each of You!
Randy Jones
Organizer
Randy Jones
Organizer
Newport, NC