Hello,
My name is Kellie Eddy and I am fundraising for my family.
My beautiful Dad; Wayne Harris is dying. Back in 2020 Dad had a stroke, he was taken to the Monash Hospital where he remained for 5 days. Whilst down in Melbourne during some routine testing it was discovered that Dad had non small cell lung cancer. He was given a 75% chance that he would live for 5 years. Since then it has been many a round of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy treatments.
A few months back Dads health began declining rapidly and the treating team made the decision to stop treatment as Dad was too frail. The decline has been rapid over the past 6 weeks or so. He has been in Hospital since the beginning of June.
A month ago we were told (at very best) Dad has around 3 months to live. It's not the cancer, that is stable, even since ceasing treatment - it has not grown. We have since been told that Dad is end stage with COPD. He also suffers from emphysema. He is on oxygen 100% of the time, weighs 44kgs and doesn’t get out of bed, unless to go to the toilet. He is very frail and quite frightened.
On Thursday we made the decision to move Dad out of Hospital and into respite. The Doctors cannot treat Dad, the only thing that can be done now is to try and keep him comfortable. So respite seemed a little more homely for him.
My Mum (Jennie) has been Dad's carer since all this began. Mum, as well as caring for Dad, also cares for her father and still works 5 days a week.
My parents are very strong, resilient, proud people who would never ask for help from anyone. This is where I come in.
I feel that Mum and Dad have given so much over their years and have been dealt some pretty shitty hands financially. From canteen duties for several different sporting clubs, to many long years of tennis coaching, committees, bowls, supporting their communities and local organisations to helping friends and family when they didn’t have much to rub together themselves.
I would really like to ease the burden for Mum and ease Dad's worry of the costs associated with his care and end of life arrangements.
Mum always puts herself second and works very hard (she always has). So, I would like to try and assist her in this small way and give Dad a send off he deserves when the time comes.
Any additional funds raised will be donated directly to Palliative care Gippsland as they have been absolutely amazing in the care for Dad. This service needs as much help as we can offer.
I would also like to donate some funds towards Mitchell House in Morwell, they are now caring for Dad and ensuring our family is comfortable and able to be with Dad as much as we can. There are a few things that I can see Mitchell House would benefit from having, one would be an ice and water machine. Dad has been having crushed ice for months now, the home does not have a machine like the Hospital did.
To be able to give back, even in some small way would be incredible.
I thank everyone who has made it to the end of reading our story and ask that you please not mention this to my parents, I would like to be done in the background, as I know they would not ask themselves. They are givers, and never want nor ask for anything.
Any questions, please contact me directly.
K x
