Tim Ainley's Fund

Earlier this year, our dad began having shortness of breath, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing. After numerous medical tests, we received the devastating news: it was Stage 3 esophageal cancer consisting of a large tumor near his stomach, as well as cancer in the lining of his esophagus.

Dad, who is already struggling with the everyday symptoms of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a degenerative neurological disease he was diagnosed with a few years ago, now has to endure six weeks of daily radiation with chemotherapy. Currently, Dad and our mom, June, are traveling to/from Clovis each weekday for his radiation and chemo treatments. If the treatments are successful, then in March they will travel to Stanford for a major surgery to remove the tumor. This is a complicated procedure that involves removing the upper part of his stomach and the lower part of his esophagus, and then re-attaching them. After the surgery, Dad will stay in the hospital for 1-2 weeks, then be transferred to one of Stanford's rehabilitation facilities for a month or so recovery stay.

The cost of this process will be great, both materially and spiritually. There were many things Dad was looking forward to: rest, travel, and performing the marriage ceremony for his last child, just to name a few. While Dad and Mom are mustering as many personal resources as possible to put up a good fight, the reality is that the magnitude of Dad's needs and the risks he is facing are daunting.

Any support for Dad, both materially and spiritually, would be appreciated by his family.  Any funds raised will help pay for estimated treatment expenses, insurance shortfall, and, if available, some of the additional expenses related to treatment, such as helping Mom stay up in the Stanford area during his surgery and recovery.

It has been a difficult past few years and all we want for Dad is a successful recovery and a chance for him to finally rest after a life of serving his family, countless other families, and the Lord.