Helping Thurman kick cancer's ASS!

Hi, I’m Jake Larrabee and I am writing this GoFundMe for my brother-in-law and friend of over 30 years, Thurman Wilder.

If you don’t know Thurman or haven’t heard of him, I’m not sure how. He is a loyal friend to many, an accomplished business owner and hardscape artist, youth coach, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, and more. If you do not know him you are missing out.

To those of us close to him, we have always seen Thurman as invincible. One of the toughest people around, in many more ways than one. In addition, he is also very independent and one of the last to ever ask for help. In fact, he was very hesitant in allowing this to be written. However, sadly a lot has changed in the last month.

While plowing during a March snowstorm, Thurm noticed symptoms that brought him to CVMC ED that resulted in the discovery of a 3 cm brain tumor. From there he was transferred to UVMMC and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Initially, UVM recommended chemotherapy and radiation, told him the tumor was inoperable, and, that he should stay local so he could be close to his family. Thurman has never been one to accept defeat and certainly doesn’t accept being told he will have a shortened life. He got angry and vowed that he would beat this. He is determined to continue living his life to be here for the love of his life and his two girls.

Immediately he and his wife, Harmony started researching, calling friends, and looking for other options. Within hours Thurman got a referral to Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. He and Harmony traveled there for a 2nd opinion and consultation last week. Initially, they did not get the news they had hoped for. The Oncologists and Surgeons said that this is a very aggressive cancer, it’s resistant to treatment, it’s inoperable, and that he should go home and have his care close to home with his family.

Once again, Thurman needed to prove to strangers that they had no idea of the determination and tenacity in him and, his will to live. Word of this got back to the surgeon who decided to review his medical chart further. Because of Thurman's determined attitude and his current physical condition, this will not be how his story ends - the surgeon has agreed to operate!

The good news is, that Thurman has very minimal symptoms. After reading this if you ran into him, you would never know he has a rapidly growing cancer in his brain. This too has amazed the medical staff that have met him and reviewed his case. After his upcoming surgery this month, the standard treatment is radiation and chemotherapy, which has minimal effects on reducing the size but is still the standard. Fortunately, many new medications and options are being researched and some are available through clinical trials - unfortunately, most would require waiting until after chemo and radiation have failed.

Have I mentioned that Thurman has never accepted failure as an option?

Rather than wait for the tumor to grow back, Thurman will be integrating conventional medicine with alternative therapies. Some of this will be low cost, such as dietary and lifestyle changes. However, treatment at the alternative cancer center and other possible treatment options will not be covered by insurance.

Thurman is self-employed and lives a relatively simple life with Harmony (a State employee) and his two girls, Olivia and Arianna. He works very hard beautifying the Vermont landscape and employs 8-10 people in the summertime. His favorite pastime other than spending time with his family is coaching basketball, currently coaching Arianna's AAU team when he feels well enough to do so.

The cost of travel multiple times a month to NYC, treatments not covered by insurance, and despite his dedicated crew still getting the jobs done, a likely reduction in income will be impossible to manage without help.

I know times are tough for everyone, everything is expensive. Please, donate if you can, every little bit will help tremendously. So many of you know Thurman and likely have a funny story about him and know what a great person he is, now is the time to show him a little extra love. On behalf of his family, thank you!

If anyone wants to donate and does not want to use this platform, please contact me directly.

-Jake