Drye Family assistance
Donation protected
I am Michelle Drye, Barrett's wife. We have been happily married for 20 wonderful years and look forward to many more years together, enjoying each other, life and seeing our 3 kids grow up.
As many of you know, Barrett was diagnosed in October 2015 with advanced rectal cancer. We've been shaken to our core, but are fighting this as hard as we know how. We can't say enough about the care we have received from all the doctors. His employer and the doctors there have been so amazing! They jump thru all kinds of hoops to get the best team on-board to fight this will all they have, make phone calls to check on us, emails and lots of love.
(I suppose it does really help to know and work for the the best gastro doctors in Atlanta!!)
UPDATE on Barrett & Treatment:
He is currently going thru an intense 12 wk chemo regimen at Kennestone's Cancer Center. After each infusion, he is sent home w/a pump full of chemo meds for another 46hrs, only to return, have pump removed and get rest over the next week & a half before his next infusion. It has been rough for him with nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss, not to mention lack of energy to do much of anything. He is not working and is now on disability for the unforseen future,. I am trying my best to hold down the fort by taking over as much of household/family duties as I can, especially since he cannot drive. Our immediate family has been so very wonderful and supportive w/their help and meals. Our friends have also been amazing helping and making it easier to focus on getting him well! We don't know what we would do without all of you!!
We absolutely have the BEST local doctors here on the case! Amid intense and continuing e-consultation w/the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where state-of-the art cancer surgery is performed, his doctors recommend a live consult with Mayo ASAP, to evaluate Barrett in person. We have tentatively set up a clinic appointment for Feb. 8th. As much as we are hoping insurance will step up, (an on-going battle as I type), to cover this vital visit & subsequent visit for surgery, that has not been the case so far. His initial trip to MN will be for evaluation only and require a min., 3-day stay to undergo testing etc. (No surgery at this time). As is typical, we are left to cover cost for flights, hotel accomodations and food while there. After making this trip to Mayo in Feb, Mayo will devise a course of action that will hopefully mean a return trip to Mayo for final surgery! We've been told upon returning to ATL, he will likely include continued chemotherapy and/or radiation for approx. five weeks more.
With much thought, I have succumbed to asking for help to alleviate some of the financial burdens our families have experienced due to this illness. We are so thankful to have supportive family close by to guide us in so many ways. Monies raised here will help cover travel costs to the Mayo Clinic, (hopefully twice), cover medical bills not covered by insurance and general living expenses.
Why the Mayo Clinic you might ask? Why not entirely local treatment? The Mayo Clinic has unrivaled, top-notch doctors, resources, research all under one roof that would provide Barrett the very best care treatment and technologies to battle his type of cancer.
Many of you have expressed to us your desire
to help in some way, but were clueless what you could do. Hence, this GoFundMe page. We would be so extremely thankful for any monetary donation during this difficult period. I also would like to encourage everyone to continue sending upbeat cards, making short phone calls (chemo brain in effect), sending emails to let him know you're thinking of him. Please don't hesitate to reach out in any way to show him your continued love and support. Don't wait - do it today!
We are anxious, yet very optimistic that 2016 will be a year of great hope, faith, understanding, love and NO MORE CANCER!!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything !! We love you all so much!
The Drye family
As many of you know, Barrett was diagnosed in October 2015 with advanced rectal cancer. We've been shaken to our core, but are fighting this as hard as we know how. We can't say enough about the care we have received from all the doctors. His employer and the doctors there have been so amazing! They jump thru all kinds of hoops to get the best team on-board to fight this will all they have, make phone calls to check on us, emails and lots of love.
(I suppose it does really help to know and work for the the best gastro doctors in Atlanta!!)
UPDATE on Barrett & Treatment:
He is currently going thru an intense 12 wk chemo regimen at Kennestone's Cancer Center. After each infusion, he is sent home w/a pump full of chemo meds for another 46hrs, only to return, have pump removed and get rest over the next week & a half before his next infusion. It has been rough for him with nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss, not to mention lack of energy to do much of anything. He is not working and is now on disability for the unforseen future,. I am trying my best to hold down the fort by taking over as much of household/family duties as I can, especially since he cannot drive. Our immediate family has been so very wonderful and supportive w/their help and meals. Our friends have also been amazing helping and making it easier to focus on getting him well! We don't know what we would do without all of you!!
We absolutely have the BEST local doctors here on the case! Amid intense and continuing e-consultation w/the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where state-of-the art cancer surgery is performed, his doctors recommend a live consult with Mayo ASAP, to evaluate Barrett in person. We have tentatively set up a clinic appointment for Feb. 8th. As much as we are hoping insurance will step up, (an on-going battle as I type), to cover this vital visit & subsequent visit for surgery, that has not been the case so far. His initial trip to MN will be for evaluation only and require a min., 3-day stay to undergo testing etc. (No surgery at this time). As is typical, we are left to cover cost for flights, hotel accomodations and food while there. After making this trip to Mayo in Feb, Mayo will devise a course of action that will hopefully mean a return trip to Mayo for final surgery! We've been told upon returning to ATL, he will likely include continued chemotherapy and/or radiation for approx. five weeks more.
With much thought, I have succumbed to asking for help to alleviate some of the financial burdens our families have experienced due to this illness. We are so thankful to have supportive family close by to guide us in so many ways. Monies raised here will help cover travel costs to the Mayo Clinic, (hopefully twice), cover medical bills not covered by insurance and general living expenses.
Why the Mayo Clinic you might ask? Why not entirely local treatment? The Mayo Clinic has unrivaled, top-notch doctors, resources, research all under one roof that would provide Barrett the very best care treatment and technologies to battle his type of cancer.
Many of you have expressed to us your desire
to help in some way, but were clueless what you could do. Hence, this GoFundMe page. We would be so extremely thankful for any monetary donation during this difficult period. I also would like to encourage everyone to continue sending upbeat cards, making short phone calls (chemo brain in effect), sending emails to let him know you're thinking of him. Please don't hesitate to reach out in any way to show him your continued love and support. Don't wait - do it today!
We are anxious, yet very optimistic that 2016 will be a year of great hope, faith, understanding, love and NO MORE CANCER!!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything !! We love you all so much!
The Drye family
Organizer
Michelle Drye
Organizer
Mableton, GA
