For the love of Jeff

As many of you know, my Dad (Jeff) was diagnosed with prostate cancer the beginning of this year.  He was making great strides and recently went back to his doctor due to new, extreme pain in his low back.  Last week he was hospitalized for almost a week while multiple scans and tests were done to find the source of his pain.  They found a large tumor on the L5 of his spine.  It has wrapped itself around this portion of his bone and has begun to move into his nerves.  The L5 controls the bottom half of your body.  Doctors are amazed that he is able to walk, but the very scary reality is that if untreated, he will become paralyzed from the waist down.  However, this mass is too large to operate on as the risks are too great. He is undergoing radiation for the next 5 weeks - 5 days a week and will most likely begin chemo next month.  This is an incredibly emotional and taxing time on our family, as it is for every person and family who has ever been in his shoes.  

Mom and Dad are so humble.  They would, and will never, ask for anything.  I have watched them my entire life reach out and help everyone around them.  Doing whatever they could, big or small to make a difference for those hurting or struggling. Never doing it for anything in return, only to be helpers.  They are some of the most generous, loving and kind people.  Watching this illness unfold, watching my Dad change as this cancer lives on breaks me to my soul.  I stood in the living room tonight and looked over to see them holding eachother so tightly with tears streaming down their faces.  The fear, the sadness, the uncertainty...it's a heavy burden.  I am asking you to help me lift a portion of the burden that comes with this illness as many things are not covered by their insurance.  The financial weight and worry is very real and gripping.  I didn't know what to put for a goal because, well...they can take all the help they can get.  I would appreciate if this could be kept from them.  As I stated, asking for help is not a strength and I would rather keep it a secret to shower them with a wonderful gift of love from all the lives they have taken the time to touch, and those who they haven't.   

Thank you for reading, thank you for loving me and my family, thank you for standing with us.  The outpouring of love and support that has already taken place does NOT go unnoticed.  Mom and Dad cry everyday at the thoughtful gifts and words that are given to them through this experience.

xoxo,
Kate

Update: I added Mom (Jane Suek) as the beneficiary for this account so that she can manage the funds gifted to them.  Thank you for your overwhleming generosity.  We are humbled.