Rodney's Story
Donation protected
I'd like to introduce you to my friend Rodney, Rodney is the loving husband to my most dearest friend Michelle, together they have 4 beautiful children, Cameron, Declan, Madeline and Kyan.
On the evening of Friday, January 19th 2018, I received a heartbreaking call from Michelle that Rodney had collapsed at work, within a few short hours their worst nightmare became their reality when Rodney was told his collaposed was due to a Brain tumour.
They were told to prepare themselves to be transferred to Perth Neurologist specialist unit that night and to expect surgery within the coming days....but sadly the days rolled into the next and soon their future would completely be uncertain. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and still nothing......
As you can imagine in times like this all you want is to just be present with your family and friends, focus nothing but on your loved one and caring for them and only their needs.....as each week goes on Rodney battles different side effects not only from the brain tumor but also from all the medications managing his pain and symptoms, due to long wait lists and multiple tests, surgery dates continue to be pushed back...... as we all know life must go on and Michelle was left with no other option but to return to work, between work, children, running a house and of course caring for Rodney it's not hard to imagine she's barely holding her head above water, and sadly along with all these stresses an even bigger one looms over her head.
Rodney has been their primary income earner.....sadly we always think about it....."We should get income insurance", "Life insurance??"......but like most we think it would never happen to us.
Rodney had always been an upstanding hard working citizen, he goes to work does his job well and returns home to his family, in situations like this you just presume surely there will be some help out there for you?? But sadly everywhere they have turned for help they keep hitting the "Sorry we can't help you", every avenue turns into a financial road block, it's hard not to think the system they've contributed too since they were 16 years old is failing them.
Sadly it won't end after surgery, due to the nature of Rodney's tumor he will need to begin intense chemotherapy, followed by radiation and possible speech and motor skill rehabilation. They all have a long road ahead of them and no dates in sight for when life can move forward again.
Now I know there are many many family's in the same situation, probably even much worse off.....so why I am asking for your help?.....I don't have an answer for you.... I'm just a helpless friend sitting across from one of my dearest friends watching the weight of the world fall onto her shoulders, I see the pain and sadness in her eyes (a look she would never show anyone else than her nearest and dearest and sometimes not even then) and if I can take even just the smallest amount of burden from her shoulders I'll do anything in my power too!!!
Michelle and Rodney have no idea I have set up this page for them, lucky for me they are not technology minded people (I don't even think Michelle knows what facebook is lol) they'd probably be completley embarrassed to know this page has even been set up on their behalf.....in a few short weeks along with their beautiful family we hope to throw a little surprise party and reveal to them our little secret, show them they're not alone, people from near and far have heard their story and want to show their love and support.
If I could even just turn up with 1 weeks grocery shop for them, my dream to lessen there burden would be worth every minute!!
Friends and family I ask you to spread the love and I know many people have their own commitments but even just a gold coin donation can change a life, and if your unable too, that's no problem, I just ask you could share this page and that alone would be wonderful in it self. From the bottom of my heart thank you for even just taking the time to read Rodney's Story! !
Chels x
On the evening of Friday, January 19th 2018, I received a heartbreaking call from Michelle that Rodney had collapsed at work, within a few short hours their worst nightmare became their reality when Rodney was told his collaposed was due to a Brain tumour.
They were told to prepare themselves to be transferred to Perth Neurologist specialist unit that night and to expect surgery within the coming days....but sadly the days rolled into the next and soon their future would completely be uncertain. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and still nothing......
As you can imagine in times like this all you want is to just be present with your family and friends, focus nothing but on your loved one and caring for them and only their needs.....as each week goes on Rodney battles different side effects not only from the brain tumor but also from all the medications managing his pain and symptoms, due to long wait lists and multiple tests, surgery dates continue to be pushed back...... as we all know life must go on and Michelle was left with no other option but to return to work, between work, children, running a house and of course caring for Rodney it's not hard to imagine she's barely holding her head above water, and sadly along with all these stresses an even bigger one looms over her head.
Rodney has been their primary income earner.....sadly we always think about it....."We should get income insurance", "Life insurance??"......but like most we think it would never happen to us.
Rodney had always been an upstanding hard working citizen, he goes to work does his job well and returns home to his family, in situations like this you just presume surely there will be some help out there for you?? But sadly everywhere they have turned for help they keep hitting the "Sorry we can't help you", every avenue turns into a financial road block, it's hard not to think the system they've contributed too since they were 16 years old is failing them.
Sadly it won't end after surgery, due to the nature of Rodney's tumor he will need to begin intense chemotherapy, followed by radiation and possible speech and motor skill rehabilation. They all have a long road ahead of them and no dates in sight for when life can move forward again.
Now I know there are many many family's in the same situation, probably even much worse off.....so why I am asking for your help?.....I don't have an answer for you.... I'm just a helpless friend sitting across from one of my dearest friends watching the weight of the world fall onto her shoulders, I see the pain and sadness in her eyes (a look she would never show anyone else than her nearest and dearest and sometimes not even then) and if I can take even just the smallest amount of burden from her shoulders I'll do anything in my power too!!!
Michelle and Rodney have no idea I have set up this page for them, lucky for me they are not technology minded people (I don't even think Michelle knows what facebook is lol) they'd probably be completley embarrassed to know this page has even been set up on their behalf.....in a few short weeks along with their beautiful family we hope to throw a little surprise party and reveal to them our little secret, show them they're not alone, people from near and far have heard their story and want to show their love and support.
If I could even just turn up with 1 weeks grocery shop for them, my dream to lessen there burden would be worth every minute!!
Friends and family I ask you to spread the love and I know many people have their own commitments but even just a gold coin donation can change a life, and if your unable too, that's no problem, I just ask you could share this page and that alone would be wonderful in it self. From the bottom of my heart thank you for even just taking the time to read Rodney's Story! !
Chels x
Organizer
Chels Lea
Organizer
Golden Bay WA
