Send Jim Montague Home With Love

Jim Montague was diagnosed this May with a glioblastoma - an incredibly aggressive and incurable brain cancer.  He is currently admitted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, where he is working with the oncology team to develop and decide on potential treatment options.  The location of the tumor causes disruption in word recall, memory, speech and clarity, so though he is physically strong at this point, he will only be discharged from the hospital to full 24-hour care.

Jim has spent his entire life in and around Syracuse, New York, and even raised his four children (Katie, Mike, Pat and Mary) with his wife (Beth) in the house that he grew up in.  His biggest wish is to get back to that home and away from the hospital, and we are doing our best to make that happen for him.  Whether he has months or years left, we are aiming to make it the best life possible for him.

Basic home-visit health aides need to be paid for out of pocket and the need for more complex nursing coverage and home adjustments are inevitable as this terrible disease takes its course.  We are also not sure of what the costs will be that are associated with the care and treatment he has received so far in the hospital.

Many have asked how to help, and at this point in our journey, even our immediate family feels helpless sometimes.  It has been a tumultuous few weeks, as we traversed going from an unknown problem, to a brain surgery, to diagnosis and understanding, and now to acceptance.  We are blessed to have time to make plans and give the best life possible to Dad, including making a list of all the things he could do with his time – travelling the country to see his children, their spouses and his grandbabies, spending time with his wife, siblings and loved ones, visiting with people from all different parts of his life:  Winkworth, Most Holy Rosary, Bishop Ludden, Stonehill College, and his beloved Irish Dance community.  We are eager to keep Dad driven to continue to keep his love alive for all the things that have made his life so full and to help him live bravely and passionately with the time he has left.

Any donations will be used towards healthcare costs, home health and nursing aides, home adjustments and improvements to avoid the hospital and rehabilitation facilities, and fulfilling any wishes that Jim has as he lives his best life.  When Dad does find his time to join so many loved ones in Heaven, any money left over will be donated to a cause researching a cure for this vicious and horrible disease.  Thank you so much to all for your time, love and generosity as we tackle this the best we can as a family - with the strength, humor and grace that we learned from generations before us. 

From the bottom of our hearts, our most sincere gratitude,
Katie, Mike, Pat and Mary – Jim’s children