Helping Hands For A Special Grandfather
Let me introduce this amazing man, Steven Reed (Dad). Dadhas worked his whole life, provided for this family, creating memories that hasforever left their mark on all of us and is loved by so many! Dad was diagnosedwith “bladder cancer” back in September of 2021, after a routine check-up withhis doctor. This news weighted heavy on his mind, heart and body. Carla, hiswife was shocked by what she was hearing. They had just welcomed their 10thgrandchild in this world and during the peak of COVID-19. Steve knew he neededto get his son’s and daughter’s-in-law informed of this this new lifeshattering news. Our family met for a normal dinner at Dad and (Mom) Carla’shome. Dad and Mom sat everyone down in their living room. No one could believethe news of bladder Cancer let alone wrap our minds around the possibility oflosing our Father. Heartbroken, shocked and down right in disbelief, our familyprepared to stand by Dad through the long rough road he was about to endure. Chemotreatment was hard, body weakening, earth shattering and heart wrenching, but Daddid overcame cancer. He beat this pesky cancer and was able to have a newbladder reconstructed out of his own intestine. Success and positive news wasfinally here, only to have this happy occasion be ripped away from us. Just recently,in July Dad was rushed to the hospital. His cancer doctor ordered him to go tothe hospital after a normal blood infusion was not nourishing his body as itwas intended. This is when “CANCER” took over, again. Dad had beat bladdercancer, maintained weekly appointments and regular blood infusions, until theresults of his cancer screen came back. This time, cancer was at stage 4 andhas begun to spread throughout his already battered and beaten body. He hadchest pains, body pains, weakness, sleepless nights, loss of appetite,dehydration, became delusional and unfortunately even more side effects. Hefinally became strong enough to leave the hospital, but was notified that hehad completely lost his medical insurance through his employment. Not only hadcancer come back, it came back with a vengeance, lost his employment and lossof medical benefits. Doctors planned to begin chemo treatments again three tofour times a week, but not having insurance made this impossible. His familywatched him wither away over the next month, praying some type of insurancecould cover his treatments. His VA Benefits had been approved! He began to getblood work, regular cancer check-ups, until August 25th, 2022. Dadfell just outside his own front door, hitting the rocks in the driveway. Hebecame unconscious, stopped breathing normally and unresponsive. Ambulance hadbeen called to his home to get him to the hospital. After what felt like aneternity, Dad was coming back to conscious while being loaded into theAmbulance. Dad was admitted into the ER while nurses began to stabilize hisvitals. 3 hours later, his wife Carla was notified that her husband was beingtransferred to the ICU. Visitation was successful this first day. His wife,son’s, daughters (in-law), grandson and granddaughter came to visit him in theICU. He was talking, joking, complaining saying “This water tastes like water,blah” and being himself. Visitation was coming to an end and everyone said “Ilove you’s” and left until the next visitation the following day. Mom and kidscame back the next day to visit, but was not expecting this turn of events. Dadhad unexpectedly been placed on life support, hooked up to blood pressuremedication, tubs everywhere, unconscious, machines going off left and right andcomplete confusion of his family. Das had been placed on life support after hedisplayed half the normal breaths per minute, blood pressure was very low,heart rate slowed, breathing weakening and body exhausted from this cancerfight. Thoughts of emotions, fear, hopes, dreams, possibilities, confusion and nightmares began to whirl through the family’s minds. Tears pushed through thestrength of willpower, fell to the hospital floor. Dad looked so small,fragile, weak and yet at rest. Not knowing what to feel or let alone think,questions arose with the answers, but not wanting to acknowledge the truth. Dadbegan to fade away with no long term plans in sight. The next day passed by ina fog. Mom received a call from the ICU Nurse, just after leaving visitation saying,“Your Husband’s heart rate has dropped to a dangerous low, you may want to comebe with him”. The thought of losing this man hit the family harder than a brickwall. Driving to the hospital Mom andour family prayed for Dad to stay with them and not leave before his time. Thiswas not the plan. He fought through the chemo treatments, through bloodinfusions, doctor’s appointments, medications and still stayed so strong. Now,here we are, on this Monday afternoon, August 29th, 2022. His bloodpressure has become a little more stabilized, breathing is okay, heart rate isgood and yet he is still on the ventilator. The Nurse/Doctor has begun to bringdown the blood pressure medication (was at max dosage), pumping in 2 bags ofblood and making plans to start taking him down off the sedation medication,for when his son’s from California visit and hopefully be able to talk withhim. We, as his family are asking for assistance in prayers, hopes anddonations. Please let’s take the stress off Mom, so she can spend more timewith her husband. We can work together to provide a stress less finical futurefor Dad and Mom during this rough time in all of our lives. All donation will gotowards medical bills, utilities, at home medical care and any medication cost.We are fighting to provide the best care to allow Dad to spend time with hisgrand children who love him, miss him and just want to have their Grandfatherthere to help reach their dreams. Stand with us to fight against cancer“TOGETHER”.
Here are a few words from his family-
Carla (wife)- “He is a wonderful Husband, Dad andGrandfather. Always been loyal, hardworking, believes in respect and ethics
Chris (son)- He’s loving and caring son, husband, father andgrandfather, who has worked hard his whole life to give his family a good life.He means allot to allot of people and he beat cancer once, only to have it comeback with a vengeance and is still fighting for his life.
Summer (Daughter In-Law)- He adores his Grandbabies, kidsand wife. He is the type of Dad all dads/fathers should be.
Rebecca (Daughter In-Law)- This man has been a tough andloving father to me for over 14 years. He has always loved his wife, kids andnow Grandkids. Even when times got tough, he was always there no matter what.He and his wife have raised 4 wonderful men that look up to him for his sheerdetermination to never give up. Dad is the man we all look up to who always hasour backs. He is full of life and yet keeps us all on our toes. There willnever be another man like him. He is truly amazing.