Trying to Survive Cancer

To say the least, this past year and a half has been more than challenging for our family. Most of you know that our dad, Nick has been fighting throat cancer. He was first diagnosed in the summer of 2020. He was encouraged to get a feeding tube before treatment to ensure he could still eat, which lead to complications. Just a week after starting chemo and radiation, part of his feeding tube broke off into his stomach. Without realizing what had happened, he complained of pain for several days to his doctors but was told “it is just your body getting used to it.” On Halloween my mom had to leave work to take him to the emergency room as the tube was now leaking blood. This lead to sepsis, a life threatening complication of an infection. He was rushed into emergency surgery, that resulted in multiple organs shutting down and him being placed on a respirator, primarily unconscious for the entire month of November. During this time we were told that we may need to consider end of life care. Thankfully, he pushed through and was able to complete chemo and radiation. He was told that he was cancer free in March of this year. This freeing feeling was short lived. A month later they found a lump in his throat. He had surgery to remove the lump and it was back to another round of chemo and radiation. He just finished this round of treatment, but may have to endure an even more aggressive round of chemo to ensure they addressed everything this time.

During this time, Nick attempted to work a number of times. His work was amazing, letting him work half days or take time off, but after a while he was too ill and weak to maintain employment. Thankfully he qualified for unemployment during the first round of chemo, but that ran out. The Cancer Center provided some gas and food cards here or there, but without both of them working the financial struggle quickly set it. My mom has worked herself to the bone throughout this entire experience, adding hours at work when she had the opportunity, to then come home to care for Nick, take care of things at the house, and at times also care for her grandchildren. Yet, still having to drive Nick 20 miles there and 20 miles back to all of his appointments, 5 days a week for months.

My parents have applied for all the assistance they qualify for and they have either been denied due to lack of state finding or are still waiting and praying for possible approval. In the meantime, the monthly bills have piled up, water has been turned off and thankful turned back on by the support of family and friends. They are currently facing possible eviction again, as they are two months behind on rent and the necessary utilities continue to add up. Luckily they have a well working vehicle, but this also comes with a monthly payment. We are only asking for help to get them caught up to ensure they don’t lose their home or vehicle and praying that some type of assistance will come through sooner rather than later. We are so grateful to all the friends and family who have already offered financial support, positive vibes, prayers, and love. Thank you to anyone who can donate and please share!