Cancer treatment and medical bills

This is for my dad, Randy J. McElhaney

In early August, dad had a case of cellulitis on his foot. He went to the doctor. They did some blood work, said everything looks fine and that some antibiotics should clear things up pretty quick. The antibiotics did help, but something just wasn’t right. Dad wasn’t doing well, and one Saturday morning things took a turn for the very worst. Dad couldn’t move. We called the ambulance and he was taken to the hospital. After being scanned, poked, and prodded they found some concerning things and admitted him. Dad spent ten grueling days in the hospital. Dad has a LONG list of things, pages long of that don’t show in his blood work. But the worst of the worst is our reality. Dad has cirrhosis of the liver, and a baseball sized cancerous mass on his liver. Yes, liver cancer. Doctors have agreed that “they’ve never seen a mass this big.” Nor have they ever seen it “not show in blood work.” They’ve told us it is inoperable, and they can’t help his liver because it’s too sick. This means he’s terminal. Doctors haven’t been able to tell us how long he has to live, but judging from the looks in their eyes it’s not long. If we find out more. I will surely update you. 

Our family is strong. We have come together and know we want dad to be pain free and comfortable as possible. This is proving difficult because of the medical bills rolling in, and the costs of pain medications. That ambulance ride=$2,000. And just one of the pain medicines cost $500! We can’t afford the medicine, so he’s going without. He thankfully has Medicare. But only A&B. This does not cover drug costs. He has to go in a few times a week for a Periocenyesis. This drains the fluid from his belly. When the liver stops working the body absorbs fluid into the abdomen. So his mid section swells. I’ll include pictures. 

If anyone knows my dad you know his calling in life is to be a helper, a giver, a server. He literally, has given the gloves off his hand to a homeless gentlemen that didn’t have any. I have witnessed him countless times stop what he was doing to help those in need. And even help those who don’t need it. Haha. He has taught me how to keep a watchful eye for those in need, and then move to action. It’s my turn to move to action!

I know many many people have been blessed by his watchful care, and now it’s my turn to help. So many people have asked “what they can do to help?”. And the truth is, it would be such a burden lifted if he could not need to worry about money.

I know it’s been a hard year for everyone. If you feel compelled to give a few dollars to help with medical bills, and pain management costs I would be so grateful. If you don’t have the means. I would ask if you wouldn’t mind praying, meditating, send positive vibes, or whatever you believe my dads way. He’s in so much pain. 

If you have read this far, I want to thank you again for your time and love. 

Shanna