This is for my dad, Thomas Eads. We need help.

 

My dad has always been stubborn, hardheaded, and a pain in the ass. And now the asshole just found out he has colon cancer!?! Oh wait, crap, we’re supposed to be serious in these things, aren’t we? Well shit… So that we can all digest this together… My dad went to get a preventive colonoscopy a couple of weeks ago and what they found was, frankly, some shitty news.

 

Thom does have stage 2 colon cancer. Thankfully, he is scheduled for surgery on July 12th, and we have a great shot and halting any further spread. About 5-7” will need to be removed.

 

He currently has insurance coverage and has met their max for the year. However, the PET scan (ordered by a doctor) he was scheduled to do is not being approved by the insurance company because it is “not medically necessary,” which is, of course, never what we want to hear. The level of care and information going into the surgery should not have to suffer because our health care system is a mess.

 

So, this gofundme is made in hopes that we can alleviate some of the cost with any necessary further testing, care, and support that Thom and his wonderful wife Jess may need as they focus on what is most important right now. Taking care of my dad and getting him healthy. Instead of any offerings of gifts or flowers, please consider donating. (He had previously asked that any flowers/gifts/offerings could be donated to Planned Parenthood or other organizations for women to choose for their own futures. But I am finding myself incredibly selfish and overruling him. (Please do also donate to PP and other reputable organizations.))

 

As most of you probably already know, my dad is an incredibly gifted and dedicated leather artist. He has had a grand part in fostering growth within his community for many years. My deepest hope is that together we can help my dad so that he can keep creating the art he loves, having more amazing experiences, and generally being a sarcastic pain in the ass instead of just having a pain in the ass.

 

On a personal note: I am not the kind to ask for help, but I am begging from the bottom of my heart for any help, support, shares, and donations that you can give at this time. My dad and I were able to reconnect (only a couple of months before this news) and I need help to try to keep the chance of getting to know my dad. We need more time to catch up, damnit!!!!

 

I know things (*gestures vaguely at the entire world*) have been incredibly hard for everyone, and your first goal should always be to take care of yourself before you help others. So please, on behalf of my dad, only donate if you can. Know that your support and love is appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Lunara

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Directly from Thom:

 

6/30/22

There isn't really a whole lot new in my battle with colon cancer, except that surgery is scheduled for Tuesday July 12.

I have gone through more testing and I'm having yet another on Saturday, a PET scan. It's a more detailed look to see if there's any indication of spread. It was ordered by my oncologist who I saw last Friday.

The surgery will be to remove the affected portion of my colon, approximately 5-7 inches. After removal there will be a biopsy to check for spread to the lymph nodes. As of now, there is optimism from my doctors that has not occurred.

I'll be in the hospital for 2 or 3 days after surgery, and then home on bed rest for awhile. During this period, my phone will always be on silent. If you want to leave a message, that's fine, of course. If you want to visit, all visitation must be cleared through my wife, Jessica Roberts. There will never be more than one person allowed to visit the hospital at any one time due to covid protocols, so please, don't be that person who tries to surprise me. To visit, you must also bring proof of vaccination.

If you are tempted to send flowers, I would urge you to instead donate to Planned Parenthood, or some other organization that supports a woman's right to choose, in my name. It will mean more to me and do more good. #prochoice #plannedparenthood

Thanks for reading and I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate everyone's support and well wishes! Special thanks to Niki Kismet for your amazing help!

 

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6/20/22

CW/TW: Cancer

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For those of you that know me and have been around me, I've been not at my best and have been excessively tired for the past year or so. Today we found out a big part of the reason.

Last Monday I had a colonoscopy. The doctor told me immediately that he was nearly positive I had colon cancer. He scheduled me for a CAT Scan last Friday. The biopsy taken during the colonoscopy confirmed I do, in fact, have colon cancer.

The good news is that the CAT Scan revealed that there appears to be zero spreading of the cancer to anywhere else, nor any sign of unusual growth or size of any lymph nodes. The surgeon is classifying it as stage 2.

I'll be seeing an oncologist on Friday this week and fully expect the have surgery to remove the cancerous section of my colon very, very soon (my hope is before July 4th). There will be significant recovery time after that. I don't know yet whether there will be any chemo or radiation yet.

So, what do I need? Your well wishes are most welcome. If you have a higher power, do as you see fit. If you're inclined to check in on my wonderful wife, please do. She's strong as hell, but we all need support.

My daughter gave me some fantastic advice today and I fully intend to follow it. It goes along the lines of I'm going to be selfish and embrace only those things and people that are supportive in the way that I need it. I will 100% ignore anything that and anyone that does not contribute to my recovery.

Bottom line on everything, this could be far worse. Unless there is something the doctors have missed to this point, I have a good chance of coming through this ok. It shouldn't surprise any who knows me that I intend to approach this logically, practically, and very straightforward. All I ask is that if you are offering support, please be sincere cuz I'll probably take you up on it. I know I'm blessed with wonderful friends and family, both biological and chosen. I will lean on you and not apologize for it. Thank you in askance for your well wishes and support.