DARRELL WOULD RATHER HELP YOU. . .
Donation protected
JUST A BUMP
In July 2017, Darrell was mowing lawn and hit a bump – a bump that changed our lives when it sent a jolt of pain into his lower back. Darrell was being movement cautious hoping the pain would subside, but that just didn’t happen. After a month of chiropractic treatments and another month of physical therapy for what everyone assumed was typical lower back pain, Darrell was not getting better.
The morning of October 19th, when he bent to pick up an icepack (for his back) he fell to the floor with excruciating pain. I have never before seen eyes so frighteningly large and a body so traumatically trembling from such indescribable pain. I hid my fear as best I could as I helped my dear husband, Darrell, to the bed. I called 911. Two IVs of Fentanyl the EMTs gave him did NOTHING to alleviate his pain as the EMTs very gently got him into the ambulance.
We were so fortunate to have a PA in the emergency department of Howard Young Hospital in Minocqua, WI who carefully listened to Darrell describe how the back pain had started from hitting a bump while on the lawnmower. A CT scan was ordered and Darrell was admitted to the hospital.
The hospitalist on duty was incredibly patient, kind, and informing as well as the two medical students who checked in on Darrell. As-a-matter-of-fact, we told the two students we would love to have them as our primary physicians once they were practicing; we joked that we could be their first geriatric patients!
A TEARFUL CONVERSATION
A sense of humor is always a relief when there is an overwhelming sense of news coming that will not be good. Darrell and I talked about what the news might be that night after we were alone. It was a heart-wrenching conversation that came way before we expected to have it. We decided that whatever we would find out the next day, we would handle it together . . . that everything would be okay . . . because it would work out the way the Lord meant it to be.
After an MRI, numerous blood tests, urine tests, etc. Darrell was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma the next day, October 20th. Multiple Myeloma is a cancer that forms in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. You can read more about it here www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-myeloma/symptoms-causes/syc-20353378. The images of his vertebrae looked like dead cactus from all the holes. The bump on the lawnmower caused compression fractures in this diseased area.
In addition to “smoldering myeloma” there are three stages to Multiple Myeloma. Unfortunately, by the time Darrell’s was diagnosed his had reached stage three. He has had the tumor that caused his back pain radiated, and now he has nearly completed his first month of chemotherapy. The unavoidable side-effects from the medications are trying to control his quality of life. What a struggle to battle them!
ACCEPTING HELP FROM YOU
We don’t know what Darrell’s diagnosis of stage III Multiple Myeloma will mean for us and how it will influence our future; what we do know is that it leaves us feeling quite unsettled in many ways including financially. Anyone who knows Darrell, knows he’d rather be helping someone else. It’s extremely difficult for him to wrap his mind around accepting help from others. As a dear friend of Darrell’s said, “I understand Darrell’s feeling about helping others. He has been of that mindset ever since we met. But now is the time for others to help you and Darrell.”
Darrell and I are concerned that unexpected medical/pharmaceutical bills will start rolling in. We wonder how long we will need to rent another place to live during treatments and recovery. Will the jeep we drive continue to run smoothly? We hope we can enjoy traveling together in the future. And of course Darrell is worried about taking care of me.
We are surrounded by absolutely wonderful family, friends, and even strangers we meet who ask, “What can I do for you? I want to do something for you/help you in some way . . . just let me know how.” Darrell and I have been thinking about what would be a way for others to help us tremendously. Rather than certificates or unneeded items, Darrell and I agree that we would very much appreciate kind thoughts and prayers from others . . . and gifts of money, please. If you’d like to help us get the word out, please share the link to this page. We want you to know how much it means to us that you are considering donating - as we deal with a bump that has changed our lives.
THANK YOU
In July 2017, Darrell was mowing lawn and hit a bump – a bump that changed our lives when it sent a jolt of pain into his lower back. Darrell was being movement cautious hoping the pain would subside, but that just didn’t happen. After a month of chiropractic treatments and another month of physical therapy for what everyone assumed was typical lower back pain, Darrell was not getting better.
The morning of October 19th, when he bent to pick up an icepack (for his back) he fell to the floor with excruciating pain. I have never before seen eyes so frighteningly large and a body so traumatically trembling from such indescribable pain. I hid my fear as best I could as I helped my dear husband, Darrell, to the bed. I called 911. Two IVs of Fentanyl the EMTs gave him did NOTHING to alleviate his pain as the EMTs very gently got him into the ambulance.
We were so fortunate to have a PA in the emergency department of Howard Young Hospital in Minocqua, WI who carefully listened to Darrell describe how the back pain had started from hitting a bump while on the lawnmower. A CT scan was ordered and Darrell was admitted to the hospital.
The hospitalist on duty was incredibly patient, kind, and informing as well as the two medical students who checked in on Darrell. As-a-matter-of-fact, we told the two students we would love to have them as our primary physicians once they were practicing; we joked that we could be their first geriatric patients!
A TEARFUL CONVERSATION
A sense of humor is always a relief when there is an overwhelming sense of news coming that will not be good. Darrell and I talked about what the news might be that night after we were alone. It was a heart-wrenching conversation that came way before we expected to have it. We decided that whatever we would find out the next day, we would handle it together . . . that everything would be okay . . . because it would work out the way the Lord meant it to be.
After an MRI, numerous blood tests, urine tests, etc. Darrell was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma the next day, October 20th. Multiple Myeloma is a cancer that forms in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. You can read more about it here www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-myeloma/symptoms-causes/syc-20353378. The images of his vertebrae looked like dead cactus from all the holes. The bump on the lawnmower caused compression fractures in this diseased area.
In addition to “smoldering myeloma” there are three stages to Multiple Myeloma. Unfortunately, by the time Darrell’s was diagnosed his had reached stage three. He has had the tumor that caused his back pain radiated, and now he has nearly completed his first month of chemotherapy. The unavoidable side-effects from the medications are trying to control his quality of life. What a struggle to battle them!
ACCEPTING HELP FROM YOU
We don’t know what Darrell’s diagnosis of stage III Multiple Myeloma will mean for us and how it will influence our future; what we do know is that it leaves us feeling quite unsettled in many ways including financially. Anyone who knows Darrell, knows he’d rather be helping someone else. It’s extremely difficult for him to wrap his mind around accepting help from others. As a dear friend of Darrell’s said, “I understand Darrell’s feeling about helping others. He has been of that mindset ever since we met. But now is the time for others to help you and Darrell.”
Darrell and I are concerned that unexpected medical/pharmaceutical bills will start rolling in. We wonder how long we will need to rent another place to live during treatments and recovery. Will the jeep we drive continue to run smoothly? We hope we can enjoy traveling together in the future. And of course Darrell is worried about taking care of me.
We are surrounded by absolutely wonderful family, friends, and even strangers we meet who ask, “What can I do for you? I want to do something for you/help you in some way . . . just let me know how.” Darrell and I have been thinking about what would be a way for others to help us tremendously. Rather than certificates or unneeded items, Darrell and I agree that we would very much appreciate kind thoughts and prayers from others . . . and gifts of money, please. If you’d like to help us get the word out, please share the link to this page. We want you to know how much it means to us that you are considering donating - as we deal with a bump that has changed our lives.
THANK YOU
Organiser
Darrell Shelby
Organiser
Saint Croix Falls, WI