In Loving Memory of Ned Evsich

At 5:29pm on Monday, November 7, 2022, my hero took his final breath in the ICU in Charleston, South Carolina. My father, Ned Thomas Evsich, was battling Stage 4 metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that had spread to his brain, bones, lymph nodes, liver, and kidneys.

The incurable disease came suddenly and progressed rapidly. Initially, he experienced severe collarbone pain in July 2022 which was misdiagnosed as tendonitis and a labral tear. Weeks later, he started to have double vision that another doctor attributed to “old age”. Soon after, he experienced debilitating hip pain that significantly impacted his mobility.

Even through all the pain, Dad continued to push himself to support his family. He kept performing the manual and intensive labor of bathtub reglazing to provide for his wife, while she ran the books. My parents were a duo that owned and operated a bathtub reglazing business together for over 35 years. It was devastating when my brother and I had to force Dad to stop working until we could get more answers on his medical status.

Unfortunately, those answers came from the Oncologist during the 1st week of September 2022 after review of the CT scans that showed cancerous lesions and tumors in his brain, lung, collarbone, hip, posterior rib, thoracic vertebra, liver, and kidneys.

Over the next 59 days, Dad endured and fought through:

• Brain surgery via a craniotomy to resect a portion of the largest brain tumor

• 5 uncomfortable radiation treatments to address his painful bone metastases

• Transitioning from being fully independent and working to relying on his wife and kids for help with nearly every daily task due to the pain and visual difficulties

• 1 all day and very taxing gamma knife radiation session to address the brain lesions

• Strict medication regimens administered by family every 4 hours (even through the night) which didn’t significantly help his pain nor visual issues

• 7 days in the hospital to fight pneumonia + another 4 days in the ICU for another infection

• Home confinement for 2 months except to leave for appointments and hospital visits

• 1 immunotherapy infusion for systemic cancer treatment

After those 4 final days in the ICU, my Dad could no longer suffer through the pain, and he was admitted into hospice care. That same day, we said goodbye to Ned Evsich-- my father, a husband, a brother, and a friend who impacted so many. I am so proud to have been one of his sons.

Mom was by Dad’s side 24/7 through this entire ordeal. During hospitalizations, she slept beside his bed and never missed a single moment that he was awake. Mom lost her partner in business, partner in crime, and the love of her life. Her heartache and strength has inspired me to write this as a means to help pay for the medical bills that I know my Dad would have worked overtime for.

After brain surgery, two hospitalizations, multiple treatment procedures, and handfuls of medication prescriptions, the bills to fight my father’s cancer continue to pile up after his passing. If you or anyone you know can contribute a few dollars to help lower the cost of medical expenses, it would truly mean a lot. I understand it isn't an easy time for anyone so if you aren't able to help monetarily, we would love to have your prayers during this tough time.