Caring for Jerry
Donation protected
Some things you really don't ever see coming.
If you haven't yet gotten the story, here it is in a nutshell:
The beginning of June 2018 Jerry had an episode with trouble swallowing a bite of a burger and throughout June this happened 4-5 times, but was easily resolved with a sip of water. At the beginning of July, it happened again but was more pronounced. Jerry called the doctor right away, who suspected acid reflux, but ordered an endoscopy to confirm. With no gastroenterologists in Santa Fe that accepted our insurance, we went through the process of finding and making an appointment at University of New Mexico Hospital. Although during that procedure the doctors found two nodules, they did not strongly suspect a tumor and wanted to do a further ultrasound to confirm a much stronger suspicion of a common allergic reaction. However, two days later, the ultrasound showed a tumor at the base of his esophagus, and Jerry was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
The PET scan was completed and the results were the best that could be hoped for. The cancer is stage 2 WITH NO METASTASIS. Thank you everyone for all the prayers. God is truly answering them. Within a cancer diagnosis and what was already known about the tumor no one could have hoped for anything better.
At this point, Jerry has undergone five rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. The radiation requires trips to Albuquerque from Santa Fe every day Monday through Friday. (Have you noticed that the price of gas has recently jumped up?) Jerry and Robin are grateful to have insurance through the Affordable Care Act, but like many plans, it has a high monthly premium and a high yearly deductible. Surgery is looming, with visits to the surgeons beginning. Six months of chemo will follow the surgery. The option of leaving the state still isn't off the table, but no matter the location, it will add to the expenses that are increasing. Finally, a special bed will be needed for Jerry. With Jerry unable to travel for work, income has decreased.
Jerry and Robin are extremely grateful for the help they have already received. From the meals to transportation assistance with getting different family members where they need to be to visits that help keep Jerry's spirits up, Jerry and Robin would like to thank everyone who has shown their love. But with expenses mounting, the need for this request was just a matter of time. Robin and Jerry are not even comfortable asking, but they have given me their permission to do it for them.
So I, Robin's sister, am asking. Donations received will go towards medical expenses and travel expenses (gas between cities and possibly travel to an out of state surgeon -- watch for that update!)
If you haven't yet gotten the story, here it is in a nutshell:
The beginning of June 2018 Jerry had an episode with trouble swallowing a bite of a burger and throughout June this happened 4-5 times, but was easily resolved with a sip of water. At the beginning of July, it happened again but was more pronounced. Jerry called the doctor right away, who suspected acid reflux, but ordered an endoscopy to confirm. With no gastroenterologists in Santa Fe that accepted our insurance, we went through the process of finding and making an appointment at University of New Mexico Hospital. Although during that procedure the doctors found two nodules, they did not strongly suspect a tumor and wanted to do a further ultrasound to confirm a much stronger suspicion of a common allergic reaction. However, two days later, the ultrasound showed a tumor at the base of his esophagus, and Jerry was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
The PET scan was completed and the results were the best that could be hoped for. The cancer is stage 2 WITH NO METASTASIS. Thank you everyone for all the prayers. God is truly answering them. Within a cancer diagnosis and what was already known about the tumor no one could have hoped for anything better.
At this point, Jerry has undergone five rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. The radiation requires trips to Albuquerque from Santa Fe every day Monday through Friday. (Have you noticed that the price of gas has recently jumped up?) Jerry and Robin are grateful to have insurance through the Affordable Care Act, but like many plans, it has a high monthly premium and a high yearly deductible. Surgery is looming, with visits to the surgeons beginning. Six months of chemo will follow the surgery. The option of leaving the state still isn't off the table, but no matter the location, it will add to the expenses that are increasing. Finally, a special bed will be needed for Jerry. With Jerry unable to travel for work, income has decreased.
Jerry and Robin are extremely grateful for the help they have already received. From the meals to transportation assistance with getting different family members where they need to be to visits that help keep Jerry's spirits up, Jerry and Robin would like to thank everyone who has shown their love. But with expenses mounting, the need for this request was just a matter of time. Robin and Jerry are not even comfortable asking, but they have given me their permission to do it for them.
So I, Robin's sister, am asking. Donations received will go towards medical expenses and travel expenses (gas between cities and possibly travel to an out of state surgeon -- watch for that update!)
Organizer and beneficiary
Kimber Sanchez
Organizer
Santa Fe, NM
Robin Thomson Carrillo Ortiz
Beneficiary