Keeping Hope for The Estep Family
Donation protected
This GoFundMe page is being setup on behalf of the Estep Family. As the family of Scott, Tricia, Madeline & Justin Estep, we do everything we can to be there and to help. The Estep’s have had their share of life struggles – this past week, the Estep family, who persevere every single day and hold onto hope, received the worst possible news about the progression of Scott’s Stage 4 Glioblastoma. Scott is losing his battle.
Husband, Father, Corrections Officer, and former Air Force Fire Fighter was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2016. Glioblastoma is a fast growing and an aggressive brain cancer that forms in the brain tissue. In the 15 months since getting that initial diagnosis, Scott has had two tumors removed. The first operation in September 2016 was followed by radiation and 6 months of chemotherapy, and the second surgery was performed on December 1, 2017, with the hope that it would successfully remove another tumor that was causing complications. Scott now has routine MRI’s every 2 months to monitor the cancers progression. These tests are very expensive and not all of the costs are covered by insurance.
Cancer has unfortunately been a terrible disease that the Estep’s are all too familiar with and this was not their first battle with it. In September 2013 Tricia received a diagnosis of “HER2-Positive”, one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. Tricia fought hard to win her own battle, undergoing a double mastectomy and 12 months of chemotherapy. She was forced to quit her job and Scott worked extra hours to pay the bills and support his family while making sure Tricia had everything she needed.
The last month she was to take her final Chemo pill, Scott & Tricia decided to head up to Lake Tahoe to celebrate the final chapter of Tricia’s battle and for some much-needed fun. It is while they were in Tahoe that Scott fainted and not knowing at that very moment, their personal pendulum would shift from Scott being Tricia’s caregiver to Scott becoming the cancer patient and Tricia becoming the caregiver.
Due to the nature of the disease and the debilitating seizures he was experiencing he had to take an early retirement from his job and his income dropped to approximately 45% of his regular income. In order to make ends meet Tricia was able to get a job which allowed her to work from home and make some money. While being there for Scott. The income she makes is nowhere near enough to make up for the loss of his income and the bills keep growing.
The Estep’s, who have had their share of struggles, are now fighting not only for life but also for money. There are the medical costs not covered by insurance such as experimental drugs, insurance deductibles, medications, Doctor visit co-pays. Everyday life can be difficult at best – the water heater went out, car breaks down, roof needed to be replaced and driving Scott home from the Doctor last week, something flew up and cracked the windshield (which now needs to be replaced).
Scott is a quiet man, but speaks volumes in his silence. He was proud to be the provider of his family but that has now changed for him since he was diagnosed with cancer.
Scott & Tricia are so blessed with the unconditional love from their friends that have brought them food, helped with chores around the house and the emotional support. Our family is so grateful for their continuous love and support. As difficult as it is to ask for financial support, we would like to take the everyday stress of finances away from the Estep’s.
Currently - Scott has begun Temodar (chemo) - When he finishes and heals, he will then start another drug called Avastin and will wear a device on his head which is called Optune (it sends wave-like electric fields to the tumor). It will be a very grueling undertaking. We will continue to update the page on Scott's progress.
Thank you for taking the time and reading about Scott & Tricia - they are amzaing, wonderful & loving!
Please share their story with family and friends...
Any dontation is welcome! We will be forever grateful and humbled in your generosity…
One of Tricia's favorite verses...
Not only so, but we also glory on our sufferings,
Because we know, that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.
Romans 5:3-4
The GoFundMe page was created by:
Shelly Sliney (Tricia's sister)
Pam Fleming (Tricia's cousin)
Husband, Father, Corrections Officer, and former Air Force Fire Fighter was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2016. Glioblastoma is a fast growing and an aggressive brain cancer that forms in the brain tissue. In the 15 months since getting that initial diagnosis, Scott has had two tumors removed. The first operation in September 2016 was followed by radiation and 6 months of chemotherapy, and the second surgery was performed on December 1, 2017, with the hope that it would successfully remove another tumor that was causing complications. Scott now has routine MRI’s every 2 months to monitor the cancers progression. These tests are very expensive and not all of the costs are covered by insurance.
Cancer has unfortunately been a terrible disease that the Estep’s are all too familiar with and this was not their first battle with it. In September 2013 Tricia received a diagnosis of “HER2-Positive”, one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. Tricia fought hard to win her own battle, undergoing a double mastectomy and 12 months of chemotherapy. She was forced to quit her job and Scott worked extra hours to pay the bills and support his family while making sure Tricia had everything she needed.
The last month she was to take her final Chemo pill, Scott & Tricia decided to head up to Lake Tahoe to celebrate the final chapter of Tricia’s battle and for some much-needed fun. It is while they were in Tahoe that Scott fainted and not knowing at that very moment, their personal pendulum would shift from Scott being Tricia’s caregiver to Scott becoming the cancer patient and Tricia becoming the caregiver.
Due to the nature of the disease and the debilitating seizures he was experiencing he had to take an early retirement from his job and his income dropped to approximately 45% of his regular income. In order to make ends meet Tricia was able to get a job which allowed her to work from home and make some money. While being there for Scott. The income she makes is nowhere near enough to make up for the loss of his income and the bills keep growing.
The Estep’s, who have had their share of struggles, are now fighting not only for life but also for money. There are the medical costs not covered by insurance such as experimental drugs, insurance deductibles, medications, Doctor visit co-pays. Everyday life can be difficult at best – the water heater went out, car breaks down, roof needed to be replaced and driving Scott home from the Doctor last week, something flew up and cracked the windshield (which now needs to be replaced).
Scott is a quiet man, but speaks volumes in his silence. He was proud to be the provider of his family but that has now changed for him since he was diagnosed with cancer.
Scott & Tricia are so blessed with the unconditional love from their friends that have brought them food, helped with chores around the house and the emotional support. Our family is so grateful for their continuous love and support. As difficult as it is to ask for financial support, we would like to take the everyday stress of finances away from the Estep’s.
Currently - Scott has begun Temodar (chemo) - When he finishes and heals, he will then start another drug called Avastin and will wear a device on his head which is called Optune (it sends wave-like electric fields to the tumor). It will be a very grueling undertaking. We will continue to update the page on Scott's progress.
Thank you for taking the time and reading about Scott & Tricia - they are amzaing, wonderful & loving!
Please share their story with family and friends...
Any dontation is welcome! We will be forever grateful and humbled in your generosity…
One of Tricia's favorite verses...
Not only so, but we also glory on our sufferings,
Because we know, that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.
Romans 5:3-4
The GoFundMe page was created by:
Shelly Sliney (Tricia's sister)
Pam Fleming (Tricia's cousin)
Organiser and beneficiary
Pam Palmer Fleming
Organiser
Ripon, CA
Rachelle Sliney
Beneficiary
