Paul's Cancer Treatment

Hi, my name is Cristen McCalden, and this is my dad, Paul.

Last year in 2021, right after my 20th birthday, my dad was very unexpectedly diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. When going in for a colonoscopy, the doctor mentioned seeing a nodule resting on the exterior part of the colon wall, and he had sent some samples of the tissue to be tested further. Later that week, my mother got the results that no one wanted to hear... the tissue samples had shown evidence of a malignant, cancerous tumor that penetrated to the third layer of his colon. He wanted to start treatment quickly to ensure that the cancer didn't get any larger.

His first radiation treatment was on November 21st, 2021. I went with him to the appointment and tried easing his nerves by playing mariokart until he was called back to the radiation room, and I even brought my comfort pillow (the elephant).

 

-as you can see, elephant tends to be present in scary times (:

His treatment consisted of 5 weeks of radiation (5 treatments a week) + oral chemo, then continued to 17 weeks of IV chemo + oral chemo. After his first radiation treatment, we were no longer allowed to accompany him because of covid restrictions, so he was alone for the majority of his treatment. (We got him a bear with the NFL Cowboys logo on the back and wearing a cowboy hat, so he didn't feel so alone.) However, unlike most, he would go to work after finishing his treatments and then cook us a fabulous dinner to come home to. During his treatment, my dad never slowed down. His passion for his work and his love for cooking overcame every symptom of his chemo, and he kept moving.

On January 14th my dad had surgery to get a port placed. If you don't know what a 'port' is, it's an easy access area for his IV chemo. Its opening allows the chemo to be entered into the body and sent directly to the heart to be pumped throughout. On January 18th, he went in for his first IV chemo infusion, and on April 14th, my dad got to ring the bell with his Cowboys bear, signifying that he had finished his final IV chemo treatment.

 

Although my dad has finished chemo, his after-treatment MRI showed that there was still some residue of cancer on his colon. This means there is a chance of it coming back. On June 16th, 2022, the doctor recommended surgery to remove the section of the colon. With a surgery like this, my dad will be hospitalized for monitoring for several days and be out of work for 2 months for recovery.

Giving my dad the surgery he needs to end this cancer will be highly financially stressful for my family, and we need help. My mom is steady working two jobs; 1. for the school district as an elementary school nurse and 2. for the new hospital as a per/Diem labor and delivery nurse. I work full time to help pay for certain things and chip in wherever needed. His chemo treatments have caused my family to refinance our house to afford his treatments, and now we are facing another big medical bill with his surgery, and his overnight stays in the hospital.

I have an endless list of ways I could prove to you that my dad is a real-life superhero. But hopefully, at this point, you won't need convincing. My dad is the most selfless man who will show unconditional love to everyone... no reason necessary. Cancer never stood a chance.

Fast forward to today, June 19th, 2022 (Fathers Day). My dad is struggling with neuropathy in his hands and in his feet and is scheduled for surgery on the 22nd of this month.

Every penny donated to our page will be used to cover these medical costs, and if we get more than we need, we will contribute all of the extra funds to cancer research.

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