Help Support Pete and Lori Hegmans

Hi, on behalf of our Dad, Trista and Virginia are raising money to help our parents through this difficult time.

On February Saturday the 17th, Dad had reluctantly went into Norfolk General after being cleared from a bad bout of pneumonia from the prior month that he had a very tough time getting rid of. He still hadn't felt well. We pushed Dad to go find out what was going on and to get looked at.

After going to emerge, he was admitted with very low potassium levels. The following day a CT scan was done that revealed something in between the lungs on the outside. Within a few days of being admitted, Norfolk General then did a CT of the stomach. A team of doctors then found a spot on his liver. The doctors were trying to get his potassium up so he could get well enough to be discharged from Simcoe so we could get him referred to Jurvinski. (We were super frustrated). He could not undergo a biopsy because the potassium levels were too low. He wouldn't make it through and it his heart would not be able to be started again. So his treatment team were working hard at getting potassium in his system via a central line and orally daily. They decided at that point to run a Catscan of his head. That's where things turned for us.

The doctor let us know they were sure he was stage 4 by the group of doctors looking at his case, and that the cancer was spotted on his lungs, had wrapped around the lungs and the main artery. Two spots were found on his liver, in his lymph nodes, and a spot in the lining of the brain and decaying the skull.

The devasting news is that we couldn't even move forward until his potassium levels were up. So, we held off posting anything. Trying desperately to comprehend how our Dad went from normal and healthy to being told he would have no more than 7 months left with us.

Before we could get the chance, today February 29th, we thought we had finally had some good news. We were told that Dads potassium was high enough that if he kept it stable for 2 days he could possibly come home and we could start the process of jurvinski with the hope of having treatment. We were immediately filled with hope and happiness. Then another crushing blow.

Unfortunately dad was in a lot of pain for the last two days, so they decided to do a CT of his belly to be safe. We were then told they had found out his bowel is perforated and needed immediate emergency surgery.

He is in surgery right now. We don't know if he will make it out therefore we said goodbyes today. If he does, there's a chance he won't ever come off the ventilator because the cancer is horrible in his lungs.

As most of you know, our family is extremely close. Mom has been with dad since she was 16 and she doesn't know life without dad.

Many people have had their lives touched by dad as well as mom. A lot of people are reaching out asking how they can help. So we started this gofundme.

Dad doesn't have a pension. He is currently on e.i and I haven't even have the chance to finalize the communication between Service Canada so we can speak on his behalf. This is VERY unexpected and Mom is going to be living on a small disability income as she is not well herself medically. Tristas family is also just recouping from Elijah's open heart surgery six months ago. We are going to help as much as we can but we're asking if you can find it in your heart to help our family get thru this a little easier. Mom didn't even want us to do this, but we told her people want to help. We will keep everyone updated and please hold us up in your prayers.

UPDATE

Dad made it out of surgery! We waited until 11:30. We were scared to call ourselves. NGH never called us when he came out of surgery. He finished at 830! We had to find out ourselves! They have moved him into the ICU. Doctors had to remove a pretty big part of the bowel, and now has a colostomy bag. He's at risk of infection. The surgery went well though! Praise God! He is still ventilated in the icu and they are unsure if he come off of the lifesupport. His lungs are riddled with this extrmely rapid cancer. They do not know if his lungs can support themselves after being supported on the ventilator for so long. They are also concerned they may not be able to get the tubes out. Keep praying! Mom is worried sick. Hold her up in prayers as well please!