Jesse's Fight with Cancer Fund
Donation protected
Devoted and loving husband and father of three is fighting a battle that one would never want to confront but unfortunately many do, Cancer.
In November 2015 my brother-in-law, Jesse Farrar, went to the doctors and was diagnosed and treated for Acid Reflux and Diabetes. Without further testing, the doctors could only credit his dramatic weight loss to the loss of appetite caused by the Acid Reflux. Signs and symptoms were visible and had the cancer been diagnosed at this early stage then treatment could have started sooner rather than much later.
April 23, 2016 will forever be etched in their hearts. The day that Pancreatic Cancer gave a new meaning to life, for Jesse, Corrina, and my beautiful nieces.
After a temporary move to Arizona (for treatment), much traveling, & appointments, Jesse returned his family back to Hawaii where there was the much needed love and support of family and friends to walk this journey with him.
A recent update revealed that the prognosis was not good. The cancer had spread. Extensive traveling (between Hawaii and Arizona) will be needed and Jesse cannot do this alone. He needs assistance. Jesse is unable to travel throughout the airport independently, unable to sit the entire flight without discomfort, nauseated, and in pain. It hurts to see my brother-in-law going through this. But what hurts more is knowing that there are times when he will be traveling alone. As his caregiver, Corrina has applied through several organizations for assistance to cover her traveling, lodging, etc...expenses, in which, all were denied.
The money raised here would help with immediate expenses for traveling, hotel, and medical bills. There are no blessings too big or too small.
Jesse and his family are humbled by you, taking the time to read his story.
Blessings,
Liz Rabe
(Sister of Corrina)
Jesse’s story…
April 23, 2016 the phone call came, “Yes Jesse, it’s confirmed, you have cancer”. Although at that moment so many thoughts rushed inside my head, I knew then that my faith in Christ is what will carry my family and I, through this new and difficult journey ahead of us.
Symptoms surfaced around November 2015, while working overseas in Japan. At first, I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux but then changed and later diagnosed and treated for Diabetes 2. Within a matter of a few months and going into the New Year, my weight had already dropped 60lbs. The only explanation given to us for the rapid weight loss, was due to the Acid Reflux and loss of appetite. Declining further testing offered by the overseas doctors, I requested for an early curtailment from my duty station as a Federal Gov’t employee overseas and returned back to Hawaii to have further testing done by specialists. It was at this point where multiple tests were done (CT scans, blood tests, ultrasounds, etc…) and our greatest concern was confirmed, Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.
The tumor is positioned around three major arteries. Surgery would be too risky and not recommended. At the recommendation of our family doctor, we sought out a second opinion from the Cancer Treatment Center of America (CTCA), Arizona. Almost immediately, arrangements were made to fly my wife and I up there for one week and accommodations provided, at no cost. We were blessed by the care received and attention to details provided by the team of doctors and specialists assigned to me. After much discussion and prayer we decided on a treatment plan that consisted of three months of chemotherapy (every other week) followed by a series of 28 doses of radiation. Which meant, flying back and forth between Hawaii and Arizona every other week. However, by the third trip my body could no longer endure the stress of traveling while experiencing ongoing pain. We then decided to temporarily relocate our family to Arizona for the remainder of phase one (chemo) and phase two’s (radiation w/chemo) treatment. Upon completion of phase one and two, I was then given a six week break to allow the radiation to take its course throughout the body. My family and I moved back to Hawaii at this point. Just recently, my wife and I returned back to CTCA for my follow up appointment and unfortunately, the news was not good. “The cancer had grown and spread to my liver!” Hearing those words, hit just as hard as when I first received the news of having cancer. Again thoughts raced inside my mind but God gave me an inner peace that everything will be okay. There are no other options but to continue fighting this with more chemo. Once again, I will have to fly back and forth every other week for treatments. Unlike before, this time around my treatments are indefinite.
We are extremely blessed that CTCA covers the cost of airfares for its patients, but traveling alone is almost unbearable for me. Decisions that need to made regarding extensive travel expenses for my caregiver (wife), lodging, transportation, medical bills, & loss of wages will certainly impact our family and cause possible financial hardship. With this, we step out on faith.
In faith, we know that we are on this journey for a reason. In faith, this battle will be won!
In Christ,
Jesse
In November 2015 my brother-in-law, Jesse Farrar, went to the doctors and was diagnosed and treated for Acid Reflux and Diabetes. Without further testing, the doctors could only credit his dramatic weight loss to the loss of appetite caused by the Acid Reflux. Signs and symptoms were visible and had the cancer been diagnosed at this early stage then treatment could have started sooner rather than much later.
April 23, 2016 will forever be etched in their hearts. The day that Pancreatic Cancer gave a new meaning to life, for Jesse, Corrina, and my beautiful nieces.
After a temporary move to Arizona (for treatment), much traveling, & appointments, Jesse returned his family back to Hawaii where there was the much needed love and support of family and friends to walk this journey with him.
A recent update revealed that the prognosis was not good. The cancer had spread. Extensive traveling (between Hawaii and Arizona) will be needed and Jesse cannot do this alone. He needs assistance. Jesse is unable to travel throughout the airport independently, unable to sit the entire flight without discomfort, nauseated, and in pain. It hurts to see my brother-in-law going through this. But what hurts more is knowing that there are times when he will be traveling alone. As his caregiver, Corrina has applied through several organizations for assistance to cover her traveling, lodging, etc...expenses, in which, all were denied.
The money raised here would help with immediate expenses for traveling, hotel, and medical bills. There are no blessings too big or too small.
Jesse and his family are humbled by you, taking the time to read his story.
Blessings,
Liz Rabe
(Sister of Corrina)
Jesse’s story…
April 23, 2016 the phone call came, “Yes Jesse, it’s confirmed, you have cancer”. Although at that moment so many thoughts rushed inside my head, I knew then that my faith in Christ is what will carry my family and I, through this new and difficult journey ahead of us.
Symptoms surfaced around November 2015, while working overseas in Japan. At first, I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux but then changed and later diagnosed and treated for Diabetes 2. Within a matter of a few months and going into the New Year, my weight had already dropped 60lbs. The only explanation given to us for the rapid weight loss, was due to the Acid Reflux and loss of appetite. Declining further testing offered by the overseas doctors, I requested for an early curtailment from my duty station as a Federal Gov’t employee overseas and returned back to Hawaii to have further testing done by specialists. It was at this point where multiple tests were done (CT scans, blood tests, ultrasounds, etc…) and our greatest concern was confirmed, Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.
The tumor is positioned around three major arteries. Surgery would be too risky and not recommended. At the recommendation of our family doctor, we sought out a second opinion from the Cancer Treatment Center of America (CTCA), Arizona. Almost immediately, arrangements were made to fly my wife and I up there for one week and accommodations provided, at no cost. We were blessed by the care received and attention to details provided by the team of doctors and specialists assigned to me. After much discussion and prayer we decided on a treatment plan that consisted of three months of chemotherapy (every other week) followed by a series of 28 doses of radiation. Which meant, flying back and forth between Hawaii and Arizona every other week. However, by the third trip my body could no longer endure the stress of traveling while experiencing ongoing pain. We then decided to temporarily relocate our family to Arizona for the remainder of phase one (chemo) and phase two’s (radiation w/chemo) treatment. Upon completion of phase one and two, I was then given a six week break to allow the radiation to take its course throughout the body. My family and I moved back to Hawaii at this point. Just recently, my wife and I returned back to CTCA for my follow up appointment and unfortunately, the news was not good. “The cancer had grown and spread to my liver!” Hearing those words, hit just as hard as when I first received the news of having cancer. Again thoughts raced inside my mind but God gave me an inner peace that everything will be okay. There are no other options but to continue fighting this with more chemo. Once again, I will have to fly back and forth every other week for treatments. Unlike before, this time around my treatments are indefinite.
We are extremely blessed that CTCA covers the cost of airfares for its patients, but traveling alone is almost unbearable for me. Decisions that need to made regarding extensive travel expenses for my caregiver (wife), lodging, transportation, medical bills, & loss of wages will certainly impact our family and cause possible financial hardship. With this, we step out on faith.
In faith, we know that we are on this journey for a reason. In faith, this battle will be won!
In Christ,
Jesse
Organizer and beneficiary
Liz Ontai Rabe
Organizer
Kapolei, HI
Jesse Farrar
Beneficiary