Help My Papa Bear Kick Cancer's Ass
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If you have ever met my father, you may know him truly as one of the nicest people you know. He is selfless, giving, nonjudgmental, forgiving, generous, helpful and loving towards humans, animals and all creatures big and small that lie in between. He has a heart of gold and an attitude of gratitude and humility, at all times.
He has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer called Malignant Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Stage 4- as it had metastasized to the liver. It is considered a type of Sarcoma that make up less than 1% of cancers. He underwent a major surgery in addition to numerous others and is now in process of 6-8 months of potent chemotherapy. He has lost over 50 pounds. He appears to be a shell of the man that most of us have known, yet he has a fighting heart. He and I will be taking this journey together to the very end- an ending in which I’m hoping my Dad has a fat belly for me to make fun of again and one in which he will still be here to watch me turn 30 and over the hill. A light at the end of the tunnel that will allow him to see his 60th birthday. Many people are so very lucky to have their parents alive and well into their fifties. I am grateful for every extra moment I have with my father, and I am asking you to help me turn those moments into years…those moments into hope.
Many of you, I am unfortunately sure, have had cancer demolish your lives in only a second. Everything changes. Dad has to fight for his health and in the meantime has to sacrifice his livelihood. I know he feels the loss not only of normalcy but also an ineptness that I don’t want him to feel. He has always been a working man, but he needs and deserves this time to heal. He has had to give up many small joys as he suffers quietly through the pain. Trips to the hospital, visits to specialists, chemotherapy treatments, and surgeries have become a full-time job.
My Dad is my universe. He is the reason I am still standing. He is the reason I am able to face the rising sun every day, even after we lost my mom. He encourages and supports me to try anything that comes from my heart. He picks me up when I fall and I can’t find the strength to get up. He is the only man who truly loves me- despite any flaws- and the only man that I will ever truly need. He is my Papa Bear. The one and only.
I just can’t imagine the rest of my life without him. So instead everyday I beg God for a miracle. And I try to be as pro-active as possible on our end. My father lost his girlfriend to cancer this past March, after she battled it for many years through endless rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. He stood by her side day in and day out. To the very end. He stood by her bedside in all of his free hours.
He couldn’t hold back his tears to read the eulogy so I stood in for him. It is my worst nightmare to have to ask someone to do this for me. I don’t want to see that day come for a very long time.
Just a few short months later he was diagnosed with his own cancer. He does not know I am making this page. To be honest, I do not feel like I can provide him with all of the support and encouragement that he truly needs and deserves. I wish I could find a way to show him how loved he truly is. If you can help us in this journey in any way, it will be endlessly and infinitely appreciated.
I was scared to do this. But I was encouraged by a great girl going through the same struggles with her own mom who is also battling stage 4 cancer. Before I saw her page, I felt so alone. I felt that no one could understand. I thank you for the inspiration, and seeing you always by your mother’s side gives me the strength to face the hardest days as well- and realize that no loved one should have to go through this alone.
Please keep my Papa Bear in your Prayers. He is an Angel that I need to stay on this earth.
He has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer called Malignant Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Stage 4- as it had metastasized to the liver. It is considered a type of Sarcoma that make up less than 1% of cancers. He underwent a major surgery in addition to numerous others and is now in process of 6-8 months of potent chemotherapy. He has lost over 50 pounds. He appears to be a shell of the man that most of us have known, yet he has a fighting heart. He and I will be taking this journey together to the very end- an ending in which I’m hoping my Dad has a fat belly for me to make fun of again and one in which he will still be here to watch me turn 30 and over the hill. A light at the end of the tunnel that will allow him to see his 60th birthday. Many people are so very lucky to have their parents alive and well into their fifties. I am grateful for every extra moment I have with my father, and I am asking you to help me turn those moments into years…those moments into hope.
Many of you, I am unfortunately sure, have had cancer demolish your lives in only a second. Everything changes. Dad has to fight for his health and in the meantime has to sacrifice his livelihood. I know he feels the loss not only of normalcy but also an ineptness that I don’t want him to feel. He has always been a working man, but he needs and deserves this time to heal. He has had to give up many small joys as he suffers quietly through the pain. Trips to the hospital, visits to specialists, chemotherapy treatments, and surgeries have become a full-time job.
My Dad is my universe. He is the reason I am still standing. He is the reason I am able to face the rising sun every day, even after we lost my mom. He encourages and supports me to try anything that comes from my heart. He picks me up when I fall and I can’t find the strength to get up. He is the only man who truly loves me- despite any flaws- and the only man that I will ever truly need. He is my Papa Bear. The one and only.
I just can’t imagine the rest of my life without him. So instead everyday I beg God for a miracle. And I try to be as pro-active as possible on our end. My father lost his girlfriend to cancer this past March, after she battled it for many years through endless rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. He stood by her side day in and day out. To the very end. He stood by her bedside in all of his free hours.
He couldn’t hold back his tears to read the eulogy so I stood in for him. It is my worst nightmare to have to ask someone to do this for me. I don’t want to see that day come for a very long time.
Just a few short months later he was diagnosed with his own cancer. He does not know I am making this page. To be honest, I do not feel like I can provide him with all of the support and encouragement that he truly needs and deserves. I wish I could find a way to show him how loved he truly is. If you can help us in this journey in any way, it will be endlessly and infinitely appreciated.
I was scared to do this. But I was encouraged by a great girl going through the same struggles with her own mom who is also battling stage 4 cancer. Before I saw her page, I felt so alone. I felt that no one could understand. I thank you for the inspiration, and seeing you always by your mother’s side gives me the strength to face the hardest days as well- and realize that no loved one should have to go through this alone.
Please keep my Papa Bear in your Prayers. He is an Angel that I need to stay on this earth.
Organizer
Sara Edmonson
Organizer
North Arlington, NJ