Henry Nguyen's Last Wish and Funerals Expenses
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Henry Nguyen's Last Wish - Trip to Colorado:
I first want to thank you all for your tremendous support for Henry and for our family during this tough times. You all have been God sent. The love that is shown to us is beyond what we can express in gratitude.
Where to begin? Let's start with his medical history.
Henry just turned 17 on November 18, 2015 and was a senior in high school at W. T. White. He was very active in sports, played on the basket ball team and at that current time foot ball. He worked part time at Whataburger. As soon as he was of age to work, he was on it! He was a very hard working young man and all he wanted to do was to thrive and do his best. He was very eager to become an "Adult". He started experiencing right knee pain here and there which he thought were from playing sports. The pain started before his birthday by a few months. He would ice then and take a few over the counter meds to help with pain and never thought anything of it. By January 2016 when Henry got diagnosed with osteosarcoma during his final semester of high school. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in children, teens, and young adults. About half of people with osteosarcoma have a tumor near the knee. Osteosarcoma is found in young people most often during the growth spurt of the teen years. It is known to be very aggressive type of cancer. They did find three nodes in his lungs, they were unsure if it was from the cancer or if it was already there. The team of oncologists were very worried as this cancer is very aggressive and could have migrated to his lungs. He started chemo therapy in and out of the hospital weekly, therefor he was unable to finish out his senior year. He was truly sad during that time. Chemo therapy lasted for 4-5 months if I remember correctly. The results of the nodes in his lungs due to chemo, had no effect on them. They did not change nor shrunk, so the doctors were not too concerned at the time. As time healed him, he started working at an automotive shop. Within less than a year, in 2017, his knee starting having pain again. He went in to the hospital in sever pain and his knees very swollen in such a short amount of time from when it started. Prognosis was cancer again for the second time, this time it didn't just wrapped it self on the bone but have attached it self to the bone from with in. They did offer amputation but it was so devastating to him mentally, he did not go through with that. The option they did give him was more chemo and a full knee replacement. Which gave him hope. Yet again, he suffers more chemo therapy. As he recovered again, he got a job working at a call center, he moved out on his own as an adult for the first time at age 19 and a half. He never wanted to be a burden for anyone or the family. He managed him self well and even helped take care of his Father and Grandmother whom he lived with previously during his cancer stages. Our family came from Vietnam and are first generation, both the parents and Grandmother do not speak much English. Henry was born here, he's a second generation. Incase you guys are wondering where the family are in this...
He lived on his own for what seems less then a year. His knees started hurting yet again. He was forced to move back home and started using crutches to get around as he could not put pressure on his right leg. It went down so fast in a short amount of time. He was suffering mentally by this and it was difficult for him to face treatment. His pain was very constant and was debilitating him. He knew what they would suggest to do next, he just didn't have the heart to face it. April 2019, he went in to the hospital with unbearable pain as the cancer had attached to his nerves. The team of doctors got together and slowly broke it to him that he will lose this leg and more chemo therapy to come. The worse news was it would be above the knee and they may not know what they are able to save above the knee until they get in there. I was there, each and every time he had a bad news, each treatment, even during the hospital stays. I've always been strong for him. But this was the hardest, he was angry at the world, he was angry why and what did he ever do to deserve this. A few days went by and he had his amputation, took a little over 5 or 6 hours of surgery. I was there in the waiting room. I was there when he woke up screaming in pain throughout the night. I know my suffering was nothing compared to his. All I can do was comfort him and be there for him.
He recovered physically but not mentally. The prosthetics center was unable to find funding for his prosthetic leg. There were no used parts that could be used to rebuild him a new one as most amputation were below the knee. His prosthetics leg would have to be specially made to fit him and very complex in order for him to be able to have full function. He accepted that and said he would save enough money to buy him self one. Even with just one leg, he seems to have recovered.
Here we are July 2020, Henry is back in the hospital. This time facing his fourth cancer and it in both lungs. He was able to do two rounds of chemo but the teams of medical specialist fear there's not much to do. They have to outweigh his safety before treatments. Last Wednesday August 19th, they declared Henry to go into hospice as they can longer longer provide him with medical care. His cancer in his lungs is not operable, there's no cure or treatment. This was the final straw. He was in great discomfort and pain while at the hospital for that month. Since he has been home, he has gotten better rest and has greater mental clarity. The severity of his symptoms seems to have lessen and become manageable.
Henry Today:
He has a girlfriend of four years that stuck by him thick and thin. I know he will never be able to walk down the aisle to marry her there for this past Sunday, August 23rd, I put together a Union Ceremony for Henry and Wendy with with rings exchange and a small family get together reception. The way he smiled light my heart. I have not seen him smile that way in years! I knew then that I gave him some peace and comfort in leaving.
I remember they day I went into the hospital to speak to him about taking him home to my house for hospice and talking to him about us accepting that this may be the end of the road. His response broke my heart.
"I can't just die, I haven't gone anywhere or done anything for this world."
He has never traveled out of state or anywhere for that matter. He has touched so many lives more then he knows. If you have a few words to share, please contact me directly to put a book or video together for him. I secretly looked up were all I can take him that is safe for him and handicap friendly. He is not able to fly due to his breathing situation which requires an oxygen machine at all times. If he is out in public, requires an oxygen tank. I looked up many place and one place that came to mind that was very handicap friendly was Colorado. His girlfriend told he the very next day when I brought up the conversation of possibly taking him somewhere after my research that his one place he wish to go was Colorado! He did not ask for this trip, he hasn't asked for anything, or to go anywhere. Those that knows him knows he is a helper and a giver, not a receiver. He currently is still in good condition enough to be able to travel. This maybe be his only time possible to do any travel. We would require to rent a RV in order to take him comfortably and be able to supply energy to his breathing machine. We would require purchases of air tanks for when he is out doors. His oxygen requirements are high, there for he requires his high volume of oxygen at all time.
I like to ask for all those who have crossed path with him to send him prayers. Message him with your story and memory of him that he may cherish on his journey. His gofundme amount is set for both his trip as well as his upcoming funeral expenses. We sat out in my back yard the other night and he asked if we ever set up a tent to sleep back here? I told him that my children have before. He said he thinks he would like to try it, as he has never done it before. The little things we take for granted right? He's never even experienced a camp trip. I then told him after that conversation that I want to raise money to take him to Colorado and that I hope we can meet to the goal, I just don't want to him to be disappointed if he can't. You know what he said? "I'm okay if I don't get to go." He didn't say I wish I can go, I hope I go.. He has accepted all path that has been coming his way. He is humble and at peace that he found God in this last moments. He has made peace with the fact of having to face death in his coming days. I truly admire this young man. Despite all his suffering and pain each and every day as we speak, he has risen above and beyond. And still can be a humble man. He's most admirable person I know.
He deserve as least this one trip. I pray and pray if anything I can do this for him, it is this trip. I hope you find peace in your heart that when he is on his first and last trip, it is with your kindness and love for Henry that helped let him see God's green earth and mountains of Colorado.
We Henry's family and humble Henry, thank you all.
Henry's Sister,
Ann
I first want to thank you all for your tremendous support for Henry and for our family during this tough times. You all have been God sent. The love that is shown to us is beyond what we can express in gratitude.
Where to begin? Let's start with his medical history.
Henry just turned 17 on November 18, 2015 and was a senior in high school at W. T. White. He was very active in sports, played on the basket ball team and at that current time foot ball. He worked part time at Whataburger. As soon as he was of age to work, he was on it! He was a very hard working young man and all he wanted to do was to thrive and do his best. He was very eager to become an "Adult". He started experiencing right knee pain here and there which he thought were from playing sports. The pain started before his birthday by a few months. He would ice then and take a few over the counter meds to help with pain and never thought anything of it. By January 2016 when Henry got diagnosed with osteosarcoma during his final semester of high school. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in children, teens, and young adults. About half of people with osteosarcoma have a tumor near the knee. Osteosarcoma is found in young people most often during the growth spurt of the teen years. It is known to be very aggressive type of cancer. They did find three nodes in his lungs, they were unsure if it was from the cancer or if it was already there. The team of oncologists were very worried as this cancer is very aggressive and could have migrated to his lungs. He started chemo therapy in and out of the hospital weekly, therefor he was unable to finish out his senior year. He was truly sad during that time. Chemo therapy lasted for 4-5 months if I remember correctly. The results of the nodes in his lungs due to chemo, had no effect on them. They did not change nor shrunk, so the doctors were not too concerned at the time. As time healed him, he started working at an automotive shop. Within less than a year, in 2017, his knee starting having pain again. He went in to the hospital in sever pain and his knees very swollen in such a short amount of time from when it started. Prognosis was cancer again for the second time, this time it didn't just wrapped it self on the bone but have attached it self to the bone from with in. They did offer amputation but it was so devastating to him mentally, he did not go through with that. The option they did give him was more chemo and a full knee replacement. Which gave him hope. Yet again, he suffers more chemo therapy. As he recovered again, he got a job working at a call center, he moved out on his own as an adult for the first time at age 19 and a half. He never wanted to be a burden for anyone or the family. He managed him self well and even helped take care of his Father and Grandmother whom he lived with previously during his cancer stages. Our family came from Vietnam and are first generation, both the parents and Grandmother do not speak much English. Henry was born here, he's a second generation. Incase you guys are wondering where the family are in this...
He lived on his own for what seems less then a year. His knees started hurting yet again. He was forced to move back home and started using crutches to get around as he could not put pressure on his right leg. It went down so fast in a short amount of time. He was suffering mentally by this and it was difficult for him to face treatment. His pain was very constant and was debilitating him. He knew what they would suggest to do next, he just didn't have the heart to face it. April 2019, he went in to the hospital with unbearable pain as the cancer had attached to his nerves. The team of doctors got together and slowly broke it to him that he will lose this leg and more chemo therapy to come. The worse news was it would be above the knee and they may not know what they are able to save above the knee until they get in there. I was there, each and every time he had a bad news, each treatment, even during the hospital stays. I've always been strong for him. But this was the hardest, he was angry at the world, he was angry why and what did he ever do to deserve this. A few days went by and he had his amputation, took a little over 5 or 6 hours of surgery. I was there in the waiting room. I was there when he woke up screaming in pain throughout the night. I know my suffering was nothing compared to his. All I can do was comfort him and be there for him.
He recovered physically but not mentally. The prosthetics center was unable to find funding for his prosthetic leg. There were no used parts that could be used to rebuild him a new one as most amputation were below the knee. His prosthetics leg would have to be specially made to fit him and very complex in order for him to be able to have full function. He accepted that and said he would save enough money to buy him self one. Even with just one leg, he seems to have recovered.
Here we are July 2020, Henry is back in the hospital. This time facing his fourth cancer and it in both lungs. He was able to do two rounds of chemo but the teams of medical specialist fear there's not much to do. They have to outweigh his safety before treatments. Last Wednesday August 19th, they declared Henry to go into hospice as they can longer longer provide him with medical care. His cancer in his lungs is not operable, there's no cure or treatment. This was the final straw. He was in great discomfort and pain while at the hospital for that month. Since he has been home, he has gotten better rest and has greater mental clarity. The severity of his symptoms seems to have lessen and become manageable.
Henry Today:
He has a girlfriend of four years that stuck by him thick and thin. I know he will never be able to walk down the aisle to marry her there for this past Sunday, August 23rd, I put together a Union Ceremony for Henry and Wendy with with rings exchange and a small family get together reception. The way he smiled light my heart. I have not seen him smile that way in years! I knew then that I gave him some peace and comfort in leaving.
I remember they day I went into the hospital to speak to him about taking him home to my house for hospice and talking to him about us accepting that this may be the end of the road. His response broke my heart.
"I can't just die, I haven't gone anywhere or done anything for this world."
He has never traveled out of state or anywhere for that matter. He has touched so many lives more then he knows. If you have a few words to share, please contact me directly to put a book or video together for him. I secretly looked up were all I can take him that is safe for him and handicap friendly. He is not able to fly due to his breathing situation which requires an oxygen machine at all times. If he is out in public, requires an oxygen tank. I looked up many place and one place that came to mind that was very handicap friendly was Colorado. His girlfriend told he the very next day when I brought up the conversation of possibly taking him somewhere after my research that his one place he wish to go was Colorado! He did not ask for this trip, he hasn't asked for anything, or to go anywhere. Those that knows him knows he is a helper and a giver, not a receiver. He currently is still in good condition enough to be able to travel. This maybe be his only time possible to do any travel. We would require to rent a RV in order to take him comfortably and be able to supply energy to his breathing machine. We would require purchases of air tanks for when he is out doors. His oxygen requirements are high, there for he requires his high volume of oxygen at all time.
I like to ask for all those who have crossed path with him to send him prayers. Message him with your story and memory of him that he may cherish on his journey. His gofundme amount is set for both his trip as well as his upcoming funeral expenses. We sat out in my back yard the other night and he asked if we ever set up a tent to sleep back here? I told him that my children have before. He said he thinks he would like to try it, as he has never done it before. The little things we take for granted right? He's never even experienced a camp trip. I then told him after that conversation that I want to raise money to take him to Colorado and that I hope we can meet to the goal, I just don't want to him to be disappointed if he can't. You know what he said? "I'm okay if I don't get to go." He didn't say I wish I can go, I hope I go.. He has accepted all path that has been coming his way. He is humble and at peace that he found God in this last moments. He has made peace with the fact of having to face death in his coming days. I truly admire this young man. Despite all his suffering and pain each and every day as we speak, he has risen above and beyond. And still can be a humble man. He's most admirable person I know.
He deserve as least this one trip. I pray and pray if anything I can do this for him, it is this trip. I hope you find peace in your heart that when he is on his first and last trip, it is with your kindness and love for Henry that helped let him see God's green earth and mountains of Colorado.
We Henry's family and humble Henry, thank you all.
Henry's Sister,
Ann
Fundraising team: Ngoc A Pham (2)
NGOC PHAM
Organizer
Plano, TX
James Bobo
Team member