PlzHelp Rick: Crohn's & Brain Tumor
Ever met the person that would give you the shirt off of their back? The person who stands up for the under dog? The guy that no matter how awful they feel will look to help you in your time of need? His name is Richard, has a heart bigger than the state of Texas, & needs your help!
He needs immediate help. He is sick & tired of being sick & tired. He feels alone, depressed, is constantly hurting, & feels like a burden to those he loves most.
After nearly a decade of convincing, he's agreed to give Holistic health a shot. He needs your help! To his loved ones, this is an opportunity to SAVE HIS LIFE!!
My name is Amber, & Richard has been a dear friend since childhood. As an adult, Rick battled cancer, fought, & was healed. For about 15 years he's been battling the extremely debilitating Crohn's disease on top of chronic back pain along with anxiety & depression. Adding to these pains, on June 2015, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Then, in May 2016, he had open abdominal surgery for several hernias. Rick is passionate about fitness & lives in the gym when able. This passion has been great for depression & helped strengthen his back. However, Crohn's has him exhausted, malnourished, depressed, & sick in bed.
The thing about a brain tumor & an illness like Crohn's is that sufferers may appear in great health! You will never see a photo of him curled up on the floor writhing in pain & anguish, never see him & his clothes drenched in sweat from the nightly fevers from the 1 meal he eats each day to survive... You are not there to witness him as he repeatedly vomits &/or runs to the restroom 10 times a day. (Anyone who's ever had food poisoning may have had a glimpse of this awful process the body puts one through.)
You won't know of the intense pain & psychological battle going on from moment to moment of his life. You see those seldom moments of joy where he's grasping at some sense of normalcy in life.
Ronald McDonald house with his Mom.
When living with Crohn's disease, victims strive for times of "remission". The individual begins feeling normal for a period of time (days, months, or even years) & then Crohn's flares up attacking their body inside & even out. This is called a "relapse."
His Journey
2001 Crohn's Disease Diagnosis
- 3 Month Hospital Stay
- Surgery 2 weeks later: grapefruit sized abdomen abscess & per-cutaneous drain (woke up while in surgery!)
2002 Kidney Issues:
- Dual Kidney Surgery: almost lost left kidney due to massive atrophy
2004 Cancer Diagnosis, Non-Hodgkins
- Eating only 1 meal a day 2001-2004
2006 Major Surgery
- Removed 3-4 feet of colon, ileocecal valve, & appendix.
- Took two years to recover.
Chronic Back Pain
2015 Brain Tumor Diagnosis
- Found after collapsing at work leaving him disabled.
2016 Open Abdominal Surgery
- Fixed an umbilical strangulating hernia
Severe Depression
Malutrition
ER visits totaling over 50
$65,000+ in Debt
He SO does NOT want to be a bother, an inconvenience, a concern for anyone. This type of personality would rather take their own life than disrupt yours! I am PLEADING with you! Let's show him he is NOT ALONE in this world!
Team Rick Finley Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/TeamRickFinley/
To look at this powerhouse of a man, you would think he is healthy as a horse. He flashes you those pearly whites & you think he's filled with joy! However, the truth is, internally his intestines are attacking him causing him rapid weight loss, unbearable pain, ulcers, bouts of vomitting, diarrhea, nightly fevers, leaving him writhing in pain, & mental anguish.
Despite each of these illnesses, the attacks they cause, the emergency room visits, & operations done, he has tried to remain employed to care for himself.
Unfortunately, the diseases/illnesses have left him unable to hold a steady job. The medical bills have piled up & the solutions the physicians haved offered have not been of long term help to him.
Can you imagine the stress of receiving this notice of one non-covered claim? $28,411
Depression
I searched the word 'depression' on GoFundMe under Memorial Fund & found over 500 results!! This is an urgent need because every day he is mentally & physically in pain is one day closer to him ending his life. I believe every life is precious! I am sure you agree. I do not want my next fundraiser to be a Memorial Fund or one for funeral expenses! Please don't wait until then to make a difference!
I implore you to make a diffence now!
Please help me save Richard's life. Please.
Every. Single. Life has a purpose.
Donations
How will your donation benefit him? We are helping him apply for Medicaid & disability as well as anything else the state will provide. According to the state, it will require approximately 30-45 days for this to be approved. He has approximately $65,000 in medical debt. Most of alternative medicine is not covered by insurance, so even once he is approved for Medicaid, he will still require out-of-pocket money. Your donation will help pay for the Naturopathic doctor who is treating him, a professional therapist as illness and depression take a huge toll on your mental state, with day to day expenses of housing, utilities, food, toiletries, medication, gas to & from doctor's appointments, nutritional supplements to help feed him when his body is too sick to process any food, herbal tinctures, lab work, etc.
Thank You
This man has blessed me. He has blessed many people, more times than you could possibly imagine & it's imperative that he feels our love & support during his time of need. I am SO very thankful for your taking the time to read this far. His family, friends, & loved ones are so thankful for your prayers & donations!
Please Pray & Share
I understand not everyone is able to spare even a dime, but sharing this post, sending up a prayer, liking his facebook page & sharing a word of encouragement are all ways you can be of help. He sees the shares, the likes, the words of encouragement, & this blesses him! He feels discouraged when he doesn't. He feels alone, lonely, & as if he left this world, it would be okay. Nobody should feel this way!
Share Ideas
Please let us know of anyone who is willing to help! Any ideas about ways to build awareness, to raise funds, to receive supplements &/or treatment at cost.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love in Christ,
Amber