Love and Support for our Dad!

As many of you may have heard, our dad, Vernard Dillard, Jr., was recently diagnosed with Metastatic Stage IV Prostate Cancer.

Over the past several years, our dad, Vernard Dillard Jr., has been battling with Diabetes, Hypertension, and Congestive Heart Failure. Even though the medications to treat these disorders often times presented major side-effects, Dad remained confident that the treatments were working. It was not until he started having severe back and leg pain, feeling extremely fatigue, along with experiencing unexplained weight loss that his doctor ordered a complete body scan and extensive blood work to rule out the inevitable.

Three weeks before Stacia and Reggie’s wedding, we got the news no family wants to hear. The patriarch of our family, Vernard was diagnosed with aggressive, incurable Metastatic (Stage IV) Prostate Cancer. Even though this devastating news turned our world upside down, I’m thankful to God that he was able to muster up enough strength to be a part of Stacia and Reggie’s special day. Dad is currently undergoing Hormone Therapy to stop the growth of new cancer cells. In addition to getting intramuscular injections, frequent “routine” blood tests, taking oral cancer medicine, Dad sees his Oncologist, Urologist and Cardiologist monthly to monitor his progress and/or to address his other pre-existing disorders.

As you can imagine, Dad is facing much larger than average medical expenses, while unable to file for unemployment and in-between jobs. Even though our mother (Robin) is doing everything within her power to hold things together, she is overwhelmed at best (even though she would never admit it). Our mother lovingly altered her work schedule and business opportunities to care for my dad. To outsiders, our dad externally displays strength and confidence, when in fact, he is struggling internally. He not only struggles with guilt of putting the family in serious debt, not being able to contribute to the household, or to his son’s (Will) college necessities, but also self-esteem issues of not feeling like the man of the house. While we try to reassure him that the situation will get better, he doesn’t always agree.

It pains us to see our parents suffer in silence. Even though they would never directly ask for help or want to be seen as a charity case, they would undoubtedly be the first to reach out and help others in their time of need. Some of you have asked what kind of practical support you might be able to offer. On behalf of the Dillard family, we would be forever grateful for any assistance you are able to offer to help our dad with unexpected medical expenses. We also kindly ask that you keep our heartbroken family in your thoughts and prayers.

With Much Love and Warmest Regards

Reggie and Will Dillard

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