Help The Rachel Family!!
Donation protected
CANCER SUCKS!!
John was home with his daughter Abby on Friday August 18th in Cloquet. His wife, Sheena, was working up in Virgina. Abby had begun to recognize that John's behavior and actions were out of the norm and changed within minutes. Knowing that something was not right Abby attempted to get ahold of her mom however she was unable to do so. Abby then reached out to their close family friend and neighbor, Wendy. Wendy spoke with Abby over the phone and it was detirmined that John was in a state of medical emergency. At this time 911 was called.
John was rushed to the hospital and it was found out that he was having a Major Ischemic Stroke. Immediate family was notified and rushed to the hospital. Wendy stayed at the hospital and communicated with the doctors until Sheena arrived from work in Virgina. John went straight into surgery upon arriving to the hospital to have the clot in his brain extracted. While in the hospital it was also found out that John had a mild blood stream infection as well as a bladder infection. Antibiotics were administered.
John immediately began making a miraculous recovery. He was within days able to move both his right hand and leg, begin swallowing, recovered his memory and began speaking in full sentences. John was then able to leave the hospital and returned home on Monday August 21st.
On the 23rd of August (Wednesday) John and Sheena received a phone call informing John that he has pancratic cancer that has spread to his liver and peritoneal cavity. No family members where informed of this at this time.
The days following John's arrival home he was not feeling well, began coughin up bloody phlem and Sheena had recognized that John was becoming jaundice.
John returned to the hospital on Thursday the 24th. At this time it was found out that John had a blocked bile duct. Surgery was done to place a stent in where the duct was blocked.
Thursday and Friday is when family began being informed of John's cancer diagnosis.
Now several years back John had been diagnosed with diabetes and back in April John had been hosptalized for pancreatitis and they found out that his gallbladder was inflamed. At this time they took out the gallbladder. During this time they had taken MRI's, Cat Scans, and x-rays and NO cancer was found.
Pancreatic Cancer is often diagnosed late, spreads rapidly and the prognosis is poor. There are no symptoms in the early stages
John Rachel is a fun loving, kind hearted, husband, father, grandpa and step-dad whom enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. I and many others could go on and on about what an amazing man John is.
John's fight will continue with his family close by, fighting for and a long side him.
Donations are being asked to help the family out during this difficult time with medical expenses, etc. Anything, in any amount would be greatly appreciated. We know that times can also be tough so if you cannot donate we ask for your thoughts and prayers.
John's daughter Abby has said it best, "Do not take your parents for granted. Even if you don't get along, even if you and one of our parents don't talk anymore. Life is so precious."
Thank you for reading John's story!!
John was home with his daughter Abby on Friday August 18th in Cloquet. His wife, Sheena, was working up in Virgina. Abby had begun to recognize that John's behavior and actions were out of the norm and changed within minutes. Knowing that something was not right Abby attempted to get ahold of her mom however she was unable to do so. Abby then reached out to their close family friend and neighbor, Wendy. Wendy spoke with Abby over the phone and it was detirmined that John was in a state of medical emergency. At this time 911 was called.
John was rushed to the hospital and it was found out that he was having a Major Ischemic Stroke. Immediate family was notified and rushed to the hospital. Wendy stayed at the hospital and communicated with the doctors until Sheena arrived from work in Virgina. John went straight into surgery upon arriving to the hospital to have the clot in his brain extracted. While in the hospital it was also found out that John had a mild blood stream infection as well as a bladder infection. Antibiotics were administered.
John immediately began making a miraculous recovery. He was within days able to move both his right hand and leg, begin swallowing, recovered his memory and began speaking in full sentences. John was then able to leave the hospital and returned home on Monday August 21st.
On the 23rd of August (Wednesday) John and Sheena received a phone call informing John that he has pancratic cancer that has spread to his liver and peritoneal cavity. No family members where informed of this at this time.
The days following John's arrival home he was not feeling well, began coughin up bloody phlem and Sheena had recognized that John was becoming jaundice.
John returned to the hospital on Thursday the 24th. At this time it was found out that John had a blocked bile duct. Surgery was done to place a stent in where the duct was blocked.
Thursday and Friday is when family began being informed of John's cancer diagnosis.
Now several years back John had been diagnosed with diabetes and back in April John had been hosptalized for pancreatitis and they found out that his gallbladder was inflamed. At this time they took out the gallbladder. During this time they had taken MRI's, Cat Scans, and x-rays and NO cancer was found.
Pancreatic Cancer is often diagnosed late, spreads rapidly and the prognosis is poor. There are no symptoms in the early stages
John Rachel is a fun loving, kind hearted, husband, father, grandpa and step-dad whom enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. I and many others could go on and on about what an amazing man John is.
John's fight will continue with his family close by, fighting for and a long side him.
Donations are being asked to help the family out during this difficult time with medical expenses, etc. Anything, in any amount would be greatly appreciated. We know that times can also be tough so if you cannot donate we ask for your thoughts and prayers.
John's daughter Abby has said it best, "Do not take your parents for granted. Even if you don't get along, even if you and one of our parents don't talk anymore. Life is so precious."
Thank you for reading John's story!!
Organizer
Hope Elizabeth Hyland
Organizer
Cloquet, MN
