Richard Anon's Cancer Fight Fund

Hello to our on line family and friends.  My brother Richard was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer in March of this year.  He is 54 years old, married, a father of 5 and a grandfather of one beautiful baby girl.  Richard's initial diagnosis was a Warthin Tumor at the base of his tongue.  Because of the location of the tumor, Richard is unable to swallow solids or liquids and has a feeding tube since April for any and all medication as well as food and liquid intake.  After undergoing 35 radiation treatments and Cisplatin chemotherapy, we initially were told that it appeared that treatments had worked and he might be cancer free.  Unfortunately, 6 weeks later,  the results of his Pet Scan revealed that not only had the cancer not been eradicated but that it had spread.  At the present time, Richard has cancer cells and 'hot spots' located at the base of his tongue, in his throat, his tonsil and his mandible, plus his throat is so damaged from the radiation treatment that reconstructive surgery will be required once the cancer has been addressed.   During this process, he has lost 185 lbs, his salivary glands have shut down and he doesn't produce saliva, he has paralysis of the gag reflex and can not eat or drink any foods, liquids or take oral medication.  Richard was suppose to undergo an exploratory biopsy in November in order for his oncologist and surgeon to determin a plan of action for the removal and treatment of the cancer, and then he would have to undergo a possible 9 - 18 hour surgery to reconstruct his throat.  During the medical clearance process, it was discovered that he now has an additional complication.  His heart may be too weak for him to undergo the intensive surgeries that he requires.  We are now in the process of getting the approvals for a second opinion on his heart condition in order to determin if he will be able to withstand the biopsy, then the actual surgery itself, or if he requires a cardiac catheterization before they are able to proceed.  As you can imagine, this is not only emotionally and physically draining for Richard and our family, but it has been financially draining as well.  During this entire process, he has not been able to work and receives only limited benefits.  Richard has been given a temporay disability status, but it far from  covers all of his doctor, hospital, medication and medical expenses.  As a family, we are cooperating to the best of our abilities in whatever way possible - some provide time, others the items needed for his feedings and others have given money but we are just not able to keep up with the mounting medical expenses and they will unfortunately only continue to grow.  We know and understand that everyone has something going on and we would not ask for assistance if we were not in need of it.  Until now, we had kept Richard's condition pretty much a private immediate family issue and had not posted anything on social media.  But we are at the point where we are asking for your prayers as well as any donation that anyone can afford.  If you cannot give, I ask you to please pray for my brother Richard and our family.  I thank you in advance for your prayers, for the time you spent reading this and of course for your generosity.  Wishing  Happy Holidays to your and yours!