Helping Hands for Richard's Journey
Donation protected
On December 30, 2015 Richard received the diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. It originated on the base of his tongue and metastasized into his lymph node in his neck. Richard’s treatment regimen consists of radiation for seven weeks, possible chemotherapy, and then many weeks of difficult recovery from the treatments.
We've created this fund in order to help Richard and his family through the treatment period, and reduce the financial stresses that could impede a full healthy recovery.
Richard's Journey started the middle of November, Richard noticed a lump in his neck, under his left jaw. He
covered it well with a newly grown out beard, until Misty finally asked what was up with the beard.
On December 1st, he admitted that he had a lump and didn’t want to draw attention to it. Misty quickly called their primary care physician and got Richard an appointment on December 14th. Dr. Brinkman
quickly referred Richard to an ENT.
On December 18th, the visit to the ENT was informative. He scoped Richard’s throat and didn’t find any abnormalities. He said that “the lump” could be anything, but most likely wasn’t cancer because his throat was clear. He ordered a CT scan which took place on that same day. The doctor called us that evening and said the CT scan revealed an unexplainable inflammation of the lymph nodes and he wanted to get a
biopsy on December 23rd.
By December 23rd, the lump had grown and was becoming tender so the biopsy was a little uncomfortable.
On December 30th, when the ENT called to tell us we needed to come see him, we were slightly worried. The doctor said in the first few minutes of our visit,
"It's not good. It's cancer."
Holding back tears, we listened, asked questions, and then asked some more questions. He answered as many as he could but said he was referring us a radiation
oncologist.
January 4, 2016 is a day we will never forget. As we sat in Dr. Lubbe’s office in Plano, TX at Verity Cancer Center, we were fed so much information. He sat with us for 3 hours, and we felt like we were the only patients he had for the day. He explained the cancer, the treatment, the process of getting to treatment, and how to stay healthy during treatment. It was a very hard day. When a doctor says “a feeding tube is necessary to stay alive but once you’re on it you may never get off” and “if you choose not to get a feeding tube and you don’t swallow and get your calories you will die”,
these were harsh words….reality….but harsh.
He told us to remember these words, “this cancer is curable”. This is what we are holding on to every day.
After leaving his office, we were quickly sent to a dentist for dental clearance for Dr. Lubbe could continue the process. Richard had a tooth pulled and prepared for an
implant. Once you have had radiation, you can never have a tooth pulled because the radiation stays in your jaw and if it escapes, the whole jaw has to be removed.
We left the dentist and attended a support group at Dr. Lubbe’s office. Wow! It was so comforting to visit with other patients just like us. Before the meeting Richard and I prayed in the middle of the office and asked God to send us a clear answer on the feeding tube and asked that he use the stories we were going to hear would give us that answer. Well, He answered that prayer loud and clear. We are opting not to get the feeding tube.
The effects of radiation will start their toll about week 3. Sore throat, sores in the mouth, skin irritation, mucusitis, BIG pain, difficulty eating and swallowing. All food will need to be in liquid form for a long while. His diet is very strict also and cannot include anything processed. We will change our home to an organic, all natural health food haven. I know…Rebeka is thrilled.
Richard has a wonderful team of caregivers working to save his life: A medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, an ENT surgeon cancer specialist, and a dentist
specializing in preserving teeth for radiation.
Richard is embracing this journey with courage, hope, and positivity. He is still just as goofy as ever and still making lots of jokes. We are choosing JOY and ask our family and friends to do the same. We know God has His hand in all of this. Richard is already touching and changing lives forever and we are only at the beginning.
Thank you for all of your love, support, and prayers. We definitely are feeling God’s presence and know He is the Almighty Prince of Peace.
We've created this fund in order to help Richard and his family through the treatment period, and reduce the financial stresses that could impede a full healthy recovery.
Richard's Journey started the middle of November, Richard noticed a lump in his neck, under his left jaw. He
covered it well with a newly grown out beard, until Misty finally asked what was up with the beard.
On December 1st, he admitted that he had a lump and didn’t want to draw attention to it. Misty quickly called their primary care physician and got Richard an appointment on December 14th. Dr. Brinkman
quickly referred Richard to an ENT.
On December 18th, the visit to the ENT was informative. He scoped Richard’s throat and didn’t find any abnormalities. He said that “the lump” could be anything, but most likely wasn’t cancer because his throat was clear. He ordered a CT scan which took place on that same day. The doctor called us that evening and said the CT scan revealed an unexplainable inflammation of the lymph nodes and he wanted to get a
biopsy on December 23rd.
By December 23rd, the lump had grown and was becoming tender so the biopsy was a little uncomfortable.
On December 30th, when the ENT called to tell us we needed to come see him, we were slightly worried. The doctor said in the first few minutes of our visit,
"It's not good. It's cancer."
Holding back tears, we listened, asked questions, and then asked some more questions. He answered as many as he could but said he was referring us a radiation
oncologist.
January 4, 2016 is a day we will never forget. As we sat in Dr. Lubbe’s office in Plano, TX at Verity Cancer Center, we were fed so much information. He sat with us for 3 hours, and we felt like we were the only patients he had for the day. He explained the cancer, the treatment, the process of getting to treatment, and how to stay healthy during treatment. It was a very hard day. When a doctor says “a feeding tube is necessary to stay alive but once you’re on it you may never get off” and “if you choose not to get a feeding tube and you don’t swallow and get your calories you will die”,
these were harsh words….reality….but harsh.
He told us to remember these words, “this cancer is curable”. This is what we are holding on to every day.
After leaving his office, we were quickly sent to a dentist for dental clearance for Dr. Lubbe could continue the process. Richard had a tooth pulled and prepared for an
implant. Once you have had radiation, you can never have a tooth pulled because the radiation stays in your jaw and if it escapes, the whole jaw has to be removed.
We left the dentist and attended a support group at Dr. Lubbe’s office. Wow! It was so comforting to visit with other patients just like us. Before the meeting Richard and I prayed in the middle of the office and asked God to send us a clear answer on the feeding tube and asked that he use the stories we were going to hear would give us that answer. Well, He answered that prayer loud and clear. We are opting not to get the feeding tube.
The effects of radiation will start their toll about week 3. Sore throat, sores in the mouth, skin irritation, mucusitis, BIG pain, difficulty eating and swallowing. All food will need to be in liquid form for a long while. His diet is very strict also and cannot include anything processed. We will change our home to an organic, all natural health food haven. I know…Rebeka is thrilled.
Richard has a wonderful team of caregivers working to save his life: A medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, an ENT surgeon cancer specialist, and a dentist
specializing in preserving teeth for radiation.
Richard is embracing this journey with courage, hope, and positivity. He is still just as goofy as ever and still making lots of jokes. We are choosing JOY and ask our family and friends to do the same. We know God has His hand in all of this. Richard is already touching and changing lives forever and we are only at the beginning.
Thank you for all of your love, support, and prayers. We definitely are feeling God’s presence and know He is the Almighty Prince of Peace.
Organizer
Misty Eubanks Warren
Organizer
Melissa, TX
