Hoping for a Miracle
Donation protected
On 9/7/18, my wife was diagnosed with stage IV Pancreatic Liver cancer. It came as a total shock to both of us and felt like God had just punched us in the stomach. I’m sure that this is the way most people feel when they are presented with such devastating news.
It was a normal Thursday morning and my wife said that she had a sharp pain in her side. This was an unusually abnormal pain and we made the decision to go to the doctor. He said that it was probably Kidney Stones and the quickest way to diagnose the pain was to go to the ER, so off we went only to find out that the issue was far more serious that a kidney stone. Connie was admitted to the hospital where she endured countless tests. Once the doctors completed the testing, we were then faced with the consultation with an Oncologist. That was the moment when we knew that our lives and the lives of our family and friends had changed in an instant. My wife said to the oncologist, “What am I supposed to tell my son and my grandchildren”? The doctor told her to tell them that their grandmother has been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic liver cancer and with that, she left the room. At that time, the Dr. was basically telling us that there was nothing they could do and that we should prepare myself and my family and that, at best, she had possible one year to live. As you can imagine, I saw my life flash in front of me as the prognosis was the worst and there was little or no hope.
The next morning, after no sleep, my wife came to me and said, “Babe - there has to be something we can do”! “I’m not going to die!” We then started our lengthy internet research and the first step was to contact the Cancer Treatment Center of America. I knew there had to be hope and that was the call that gave us just that!
Before that Thursday morning, our lives were pretty awesome. We recently moved to Las Vegas from California because the housing market was much less expensive and we knew we could afford to retire in Vegas. Our goal was to continue working, pay down our bills, and live happily ever after while still crossing things off our bucket list. We purchased a very nice home and our friends and family came to visit and we were enjoying life as two very happily married people are supposed to do. Now our lives have been turned upside down.
She is now being treated at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Arizona and is enduring chemotherapy every two weeks. The prognosis hasn’t changed much; however, the doctors feel that with treatment, she has a better chance of prolonging her life. For how long – we don’t know. We are taking it one day and one treatment at a time.
That being said, with the treatment co-pays, the travel expenses, it has certainly put us in a horrible financial situation with a burden we don’t know how we can overcome – it is virtually impossible!! We’ve never lived above our means, we have always been really careful and not been extravagant. We know we’re not going to be able to make it financially without help! That last thing I need is for my wife to worry about our finances - she has enough to worry about!
I have always tried to take care of my family the best I could, but I need help and this is where you come in. We are out of options. This is really hard for me as I am not one to normally ask for help; however, we cannot do this alone!
Please, if there is anything or anyone you know, PLEASE HELP US! We understand times are tough for everybody so if you can’t we understand. If nothing else, we need something from everyone who reads this - we need as many prayers and positive thoughts as we can get!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Candace & Connie
It was a normal Thursday morning and my wife said that she had a sharp pain in her side. This was an unusually abnormal pain and we made the decision to go to the doctor. He said that it was probably Kidney Stones and the quickest way to diagnose the pain was to go to the ER, so off we went only to find out that the issue was far more serious that a kidney stone. Connie was admitted to the hospital where she endured countless tests. Once the doctors completed the testing, we were then faced with the consultation with an Oncologist. That was the moment when we knew that our lives and the lives of our family and friends had changed in an instant. My wife said to the oncologist, “What am I supposed to tell my son and my grandchildren”? The doctor told her to tell them that their grandmother has been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic liver cancer and with that, she left the room. At that time, the Dr. was basically telling us that there was nothing they could do and that we should prepare myself and my family and that, at best, she had possible one year to live. As you can imagine, I saw my life flash in front of me as the prognosis was the worst and there was little or no hope.
The next morning, after no sleep, my wife came to me and said, “Babe - there has to be something we can do”! “I’m not going to die!” We then started our lengthy internet research and the first step was to contact the Cancer Treatment Center of America. I knew there had to be hope and that was the call that gave us just that!
Before that Thursday morning, our lives were pretty awesome. We recently moved to Las Vegas from California because the housing market was much less expensive and we knew we could afford to retire in Vegas. Our goal was to continue working, pay down our bills, and live happily ever after while still crossing things off our bucket list. We purchased a very nice home and our friends and family came to visit and we were enjoying life as two very happily married people are supposed to do. Now our lives have been turned upside down.
She is now being treated at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Arizona and is enduring chemotherapy every two weeks. The prognosis hasn’t changed much; however, the doctors feel that with treatment, she has a better chance of prolonging her life. For how long – we don’t know. We are taking it one day and one treatment at a time.
That being said, with the treatment co-pays, the travel expenses, it has certainly put us in a horrible financial situation with a burden we don’t know how we can overcome – it is virtually impossible!! We’ve never lived above our means, we have always been really careful and not been extravagant. We know we’re not going to be able to make it financially without help! That last thing I need is for my wife to worry about our finances - she has enough to worry about!
I have always tried to take care of my family the best I could, but I need help and this is where you come in. We are out of options. This is really hard for me as I am not one to normally ask for help; however, we cannot do this alone!
Please, if there is anything or anyone you know, PLEASE HELP US! We understand times are tough for everybody so if you can’t we understand. If nothing else, we need something from everyone who reads this - we need as many prayers and positive thoughts as we can get!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Candace & Connie
Organizer
Candace Kay
Organizer
North Las Vegas, NV
