FIGHT 4 FRANCIS
Donation protected
It was three years ago when I got the call from my mom. I was with my partner on my way to work. It was dark. The sun wouldn’t come up for another hour or two. I remember exactly what she said, I remember exactly how I felt, and I remember how hard the words fell from my mouth when I looked over to my partner and said, “My Pops has cancer”.
My Pops, Francis Ferrizz was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer 3 years ago. It was a shock to us all - my mom, my brothers and I. Suddenly, there was a very real timer hanging over our heads and it was counting down. Not long after that call, he went in for surgery to remove the cancerous tumor from his pancreas. After that, the Dr. prescribed months of chemotherapy followed by 30 straight days of radiation. That was it. He beat it. Tumor gone. Cancer gone. We rang the victory bell. He was clean. Six months later he relapsed. A CAT scan found 2 non-operable tumors in his pancreas. Helpless, sad, scared we may lose our dad. Scared my mom, Karen may lose her husband Francis of 27 years.
Round 2: After getting a port surgically inserted into his chest, Francis was scheduled for another bout with chemotherapy. Only this time it would be more aggressive. He would spend three hours in the infusion center. Karen as always, by his side. Before he left, the nurse would attach a pack of the medication to the port in his chest. A “doggy bag” of chemo. A few days later, a home care nurse would come to the house and disconnect the bag. He’s been doing this for months. The tumors are still there. And as the prescription of chemo gets stronger and stronger and Francis gets weaker and weaker, he still goes out, into the night, almost every night, hot or cold, wet or dry, to work. A blue-collar, hard-working truck driver. Fatigued, no appetite, loss of weight, hair and strength, he still goes when he can. And even tonight, after his latest CAT scan revealed the cancer spread to his liver and his new treatment will be longer and heavier, he musters up the strength to go to work. Not because he’s old school or stubborn. But because he loves his family to a fault. So much so that even as he fights this debilitating disease he just wants to provide for us and make sure we are taken care of the only way he knows how.
A few months ago we celebrated Francis’ 60th birthday. And instead of looking forward to a few more years to go until retirement and relaxation after many hard years of working, we look toward the unknown. Every get together is a battle between trying to keep things normal versus squeezing every second out of each moment.
What does Francis want out of life? It’s pretty simple I think. To be around his family, to see the Mets win another Championship after 30 years (and counting) and to finally be a Grandfather. As the oldest of 3 sons, I’ll work on the last one.
The medical bills are piling up and my Pops isn’t getting any better. My mom Karen, who has been with him to every appointment since day 1, has to take time off work to escort him to every treatment and doctor visit. And the treatments and doctor visits are getting more and more frequent. It’s not easy to ask for help but I know we need it. I am humbly asking you to please consider donating any amount to help ease the financial burden this emotionally draining disease has brought to our family. And to help Francis afford the time and peace of mind he desperately needs to heal. Please know that any donation will go directly to Francis’ medical expenses and holistic treatments that are not available through health insurance. We appreciate any gift you are able to extend to Francis and his family. As we navigate through this difficult time we ask for your generosity, your prayers and well wishes.
3 years ago I didn’t know what Pancreatic Cancer was. Today I know that Pancreatic Cancer kills 93% of patients in the first 5 years. Only 8% will survive more than 5 years. Someone has to be in the 8%, why not Francis? Every day he fights for his life. So please, help us #Fight4Francis.
- Peace and Love
My Pops, Francis Ferrizz was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer 3 years ago. It was a shock to us all - my mom, my brothers and I. Suddenly, there was a very real timer hanging over our heads and it was counting down. Not long after that call, he went in for surgery to remove the cancerous tumor from his pancreas. After that, the Dr. prescribed months of chemotherapy followed by 30 straight days of radiation. That was it. He beat it. Tumor gone. Cancer gone. We rang the victory bell. He was clean. Six months later he relapsed. A CAT scan found 2 non-operable tumors in his pancreas. Helpless, sad, scared we may lose our dad. Scared my mom, Karen may lose her husband Francis of 27 years.
Round 2: After getting a port surgically inserted into his chest, Francis was scheduled for another bout with chemotherapy. Only this time it would be more aggressive. He would spend three hours in the infusion center. Karen as always, by his side. Before he left, the nurse would attach a pack of the medication to the port in his chest. A “doggy bag” of chemo. A few days later, a home care nurse would come to the house and disconnect the bag. He’s been doing this for months. The tumors are still there. And as the prescription of chemo gets stronger and stronger and Francis gets weaker and weaker, he still goes out, into the night, almost every night, hot or cold, wet or dry, to work. A blue-collar, hard-working truck driver. Fatigued, no appetite, loss of weight, hair and strength, he still goes when he can. And even tonight, after his latest CAT scan revealed the cancer spread to his liver and his new treatment will be longer and heavier, he musters up the strength to go to work. Not because he’s old school or stubborn. But because he loves his family to a fault. So much so that even as he fights this debilitating disease he just wants to provide for us and make sure we are taken care of the only way he knows how.
A few months ago we celebrated Francis’ 60th birthday. And instead of looking forward to a few more years to go until retirement and relaxation after many hard years of working, we look toward the unknown. Every get together is a battle between trying to keep things normal versus squeezing every second out of each moment.
What does Francis want out of life? It’s pretty simple I think. To be around his family, to see the Mets win another Championship after 30 years (and counting) and to finally be a Grandfather. As the oldest of 3 sons, I’ll work on the last one.
The medical bills are piling up and my Pops isn’t getting any better. My mom Karen, who has been with him to every appointment since day 1, has to take time off work to escort him to every treatment and doctor visit. And the treatments and doctor visits are getting more and more frequent. It’s not easy to ask for help but I know we need it. I am humbly asking you to please consider donating any amount to help ease the financial burden this emotionally draining disease has brought to our family. And to help Francis afford the time and peace of mind he desperately needs to heal. Please know that any donation will go directly to Francis’ medical expenses and holistic treatments that are not available through health insurance. We appreciate any gift you are able to extend to Francis and his family. As we navigate through this difficult time we ask for your generosity, your prayers and well wishes.
3 years ago I didn’t know what Pancreatic Cancer was. Today I know that Pancreatic Cancer kills 93% of patients in the first 5 years. Only 8% will survive more than 5 years. Someone has to be in the 8%, why not Francis? Every day he fights for his life. So please, help us #Fight4Francis.
- Peace and Love
Organizer and beneficiary
KevLar Kells
Organizer
Lindenhurst, NY
Francis Ferrizz
Beneficiary
