Like any story you are about to tell, where do you start? With hello, my name is Thomas Gunther Quinn and I'm 52 years old. My friends and family call me Tommy Gun. About a year ago, I got a sore throat. I'm a very active, healthy person and figured my body would fight it off, I told myself. “it will heal.” Since the sore throat did not go away, I went to the walk-in clinic to get an antibiotic.
A few months later, my sore throat came back and my tonsils were swollen. I went to another walk-in clinic and again, was given an antibiotic. But, I was told that I should go see a doctor because this problem might be something serious. MORE SERIOUS? I never smoked, don't do drugs, and I rarely drink alcohol. I exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet-no junk food, sweets or coffee. “I'm not going to need doctors,” so I thought. Like many people, I live month-to-month paying my bills and couldn't really afford health insurance so I put it off.
Okay, my sore throat was not getting better, so I went to see a throat doctor. The next day he removed my tonsils and adenoids. I figured that would fix the problem and I wouldn't need to see another doctor until I was old enough to be on Medicare. While I was still recovering from surgery, the doctor called to tell me that he sent samples to the lab and they came back positive for C A N C E R. At that moment, my whole life changed as I knew it. Like so many others who have been in my situation, I experienced a punch to the gut like no other. After further testing, I found out that I have STAGE 4 throat cancer and a tumor at the base of my skull. Well, I guess I'll be seeing more doctors sooner than I thought.
So why am I here telling you my story? I'm in trouble financially and fear that I may lose my home due to all the medical bills I'm incurring. So, when my fiance suggested that we do a fund raiser of some kind it made my cry, because all I could think of was that old movie, “It's a Wonderful Life.” When the uncle said to George Bailey, “Mary did it George. She told everybody you were in trouble and they came to help you.” That's one of the greatest movies of all time. Everybody gets emotional when they see the kindness of others. If it only was that easy.
To be honest with you, I'm not the type to ask for help, but I really need a helping hand now. I have already maxed out my credit cards paying for CAT scans and all the diagnostic tests and I just started my cancer treatments. I get so stressed and depressed every time I get another bill in the mail. The medical expenses just keep adding up. As the sole earner in my household, I have already missed a lot of time from work and am having trouble making ends meet. I'm a salesman at a furniture store and my salary is commission based, so if I'm unable to work during treatment, my income will take a bigger hit.
The Native Americans believe to give something if you take something. I, along with my family, appreciate any donation, no matter how small. I promise that I will find ways to pay it forward whenever possible.
My sister, Lori, is donating original acrylic paintings of flowers to help raise monies for my cancer treatment and medical expenses. Each person has a flower that symbolizes the month of their birth. I'll post pictures of prints when they become available. I also have old comic books that I have collected over the years that I can send people for their generous donations. These are just a couple of ideas that we came up with so far. We would welcome any other inspirations or suggestions that could help us. Thank you so much.
Whatever happens, I will be fine. I have had a blessed life and wouldn't trade places with anyone. As a kid, I grew up loving sports and was able to go to college on an athletic scholarship. Later in life, I excelled in Karate under the training of Master Rick Fike. I also had the opportunity to be a stunt man in a handful of Hollywood movies because of Master Fike's Stunt Predators USA.
I have always appreciated the beauties of life and since my diagnosis, maybe even a bit more now. I hope you all do the same. You never know how short it might be! Louis Armstrong sang it best, “What a wonderful world!” Thank you so much for reading my story. And, if you make a donation, please know that I am humbled and forever grateful! For those of you who are financially strapped at this time, I understand. Your prayer will be greatly cherished by me and my loved ones.
A few months later, my sore throat came back and my tonsils were swollen. I went to another walk-in clinic and again, was given an antibiotic. But, I was told that I should go see a doctor because this problem might be something serious. MORE SERIOUS? I never smoked, don't do drugs, and I rarely drink alcohol. I exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet-no junk food, sweets or coffee. “I'm not going to need doctors,” so I thought. Like many people, I live month-to-month paying my bills and couldn't really afford health insurance so I put it off.
Okay, my sore throat was not getting better, so I went to see a throat doctor. The next day he removed my tonsils and adenoids. I figured that would fix the problem and I wouldn't need to see another doctor until I was old enough to be on Medicare. While I was still recovering from surgery, the doctor called to tell me that he sent samples to the lab and they came back positive for C A N C E R. At that moment, my whole life changed as I knew it. Like so many others who have been in my situation, I experienced a punch to the gut like no other. After further testing, I found out that I have STAGE 4 throat cancer and a tumor at the base of my skull. Well, I guess I'll be seeing more doctors sooner than I thought.
So why am I here telling you my story? I'm in trouble financially and fear that I may lose my home due to all the medical bills I'm incurring. So, when my fiance suggested that we do a fund raiser of some kind it made my cry, because all I could think of was that old movie, “It's a Wonderful Life.” When the uncle said to George Bailey, “Mary did it George. She told everybody you were in trouble and they came to help you.” That's one of the greatest movies of all time. Everybody gets emotional when they see the kindness of others. If it only was that easy.
To be honest with you, I'm not the type to ask for help, but I really need a helping hand now. I have already maxed out my credit cards paying for CAT scans and all the diagnostic tests and I just started my cancer treatments. I get so stressed and depressed every time I get another bill in the mail. The medical expenses just keep adding up. As the sole earner in my household, I have already missed a lot of time from work and am having trouble making ends meet. I'm a salesman at a furniture store and my salary is commission based, so if I'm unable to work during treatment, my income will take a bigger hit.
The Native Americans believe to give something if you take something. I, along with my family, appreciate any donation, no matter how small. I promise that I will find ways to pay it forward whenever possible.
My sister, Lori, is donating original acrylic paintings of flowers to help raise monies for my cancer treatment and medical expenses. Each person has a flower that symbolizes the month of their birth. I'll post pictures of prints when they become available. I also have old comic books that I have collected over the years that I can send people for their generous donations. These are just a couple of ideas that we came up with so far. We would welcome any other inspirations or suggestions that could help us. Thank you so much.
Whatever happens, I will be fine. I have had a blessed life and wouldn't trade places with anyone. As a kid, I grew up loving sports and was able to go to college on an athletic scholarship. Later in life, I excelled in Karate under the training of Master Rick Fike. I also had the opportunity to be a stunt man in a handful of Hollywood movies because of Master Fike's Stunt Predators USA.
I have always appreciated the beauties of life and since my diagnosis, maybe even a bit more now. I hope you all do the same. You never know how short it might be! Louis Armstrong sang it best, “What a wonderful world!” Thank you so much for reading my story. And, if you make a donation, please know that I am humbled and forever grateful! For those of you who are financially strapped at this time, I understand. Your prayer will be greatly cherished by me and my loved ones.