Help PJ sail through cancer!

Hi, this is Jean (or Eithni as many of you know me)! I'm coordinating the campaign for PJ (aka Michael St. Christian).

 

PJ knows you folks from... well, everywhere. Whether it's behind the bar at White Lake Resort, or on the rapier field in the SCA, or hosting an amazing soiree at a steampunk event, or really just any random encounter with the man, he makes friends and influences people wherever he goes. He's always the life of the party and often the host - if you hang out with him, you'll always have a story and he'll always see you home safe.

 

After several-many years being the consummate host at White Lake, he and his beautiful wife Sarah recently sold the resort to a long-term guest and bought the boat of their dreams. The plan was to train the new owners this summer and then retire-ish and sail the seas together. This is a dream they have been building for years... suddenly blindsided by the word no one wants to hear - Cancer.

 

The current diagnosis is oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, it's a nasty, aggressive, quick-growing throat cancer. He started noticing symptoms in March and by the time they went in to look at it, three significant and painful tumors had developed on his tongue. Unfortunately, just cutting it out isn't an option at this point, so he has to do chemo and radiation therapy five days a week for at least six weeks.

 

What does this mean for PJ and their dream? Unfortunately, he only has a basic-coverage, high-deductible plan and is getting hit with a lot of balance-billing charges on top of the co-pays, co-insurance, out-of-network charges, non-covered procedures/medications, etc., etc., etc... You all know the horror-show drill of healthcare in America.  Then there are the costs associated with daily travel to and from Appleton - he's getting world-class care for this specific cancer, but it involves a three hour round trip every day. To top it off, since they sold the resort, this summer he was supposed to be punching the clock for his paycheck. He's going to be too sick to work and Sarah is going to be missing hours to transport and care for him. No working - no paycheck. The weeks of treatment will be the hardest, but recovery from the treatment won't be pretty either. Instead of earning a nest egg for their first season on the boat, he is going to need to rest and focus on getting back to health. 

 

So, while they're not destitute, this is a significant physical, psychological, and financial challenge. Lots of folks have reached out asking what they can do, but many of you live at some considerable distance from little Montello, WI, so dropping off a casserole/hotdish isn't really an option (not that he can enjoy eating or drinking right now anyway). He is rich in friends and some friendly assistance and encouragement would be very welcome, so drop some bills in the tip jar if you're able or drop a note in the mail if you can't.

 

We'll also be maintaining a website for periodic updates for those of you that are not on Facebook or who want to see his updates in a reliable place.

www.eithni.com/pj

 

Thank you for all of your support!
Jean (aka Eithni)