Peter & LeeAnn Nelson
Peter & LeeAnn Nelson Fundraiser
Dear Friends & Family, I am asking for help for my Aunt & Uncle, Pete & LeeAnn Nelson. January 27, LeeAnn thought Pete was having a stroke because he seemed confused and not himself so she took him to the emergency room. The next day Pete was diagnosed with Lymphoma on his brain. The next couple weeks were spent undergoing extensive medical tests scans, etc. Pete’s doctor assured Pete & LeeAnn that this would be completely curable because they found it early. February 13th Pete had a brain biopsy. When Pete came out of surgery he was not able to move the entire right side of his body. The medical staff called this “weakness” (LeeAnn’s father & my grandpa had a stroke many years ago and also was paralyzed on ½ of his body. Pete’s ‘weakness’ appears exactly the same as a stroke). Pete had one round of Chemo after surgery and then had to go to rehab. They were not given a choice where Pete could go for rehab, which they should have. They were told he had to go to the place they referred him to. While at this rehab, Pete got ‘Community Pneumonia’ and a Blood Clot in his lung because of the Pneumonia. Because of this, Pete was sent back to the hospital for 3 weeks on the strongest antibiotics and steroids. He still has Pneumonia today because the one round of Chemo weakened his immune system. After 3 weeks in the hospital, Pete & LeeAnn were able to select another rehab facility of their choice which LeeAnn tells me was a great place. 2 weeks later, Pete had to move back to the hospital because his tumor had increased and his brain was swelling. Today Pete is dying in the living room of the home they have shared for more than 30 years. I saw them on Sunday and Pete was responsive and awake. Yesterday Pete never woke up. His nurse told LeeAnn he should pass in the next day or two. Today is LeeAnn’s birthday and it breaks my heart that she has to watch her husband die in their home.
This is Pete’s second big cancer battle. He won the first time, but it cost them their life savings. They both had to cash in all of their retirement & 401k’s a few years ago to make ends meet when Pete lost his great job and was fighting for his life at the same time. This time around, they do not have any resources to pay the huge medical deductibles and soon LeeAnn will be paying for a funeral. Neither of them have been working over the past couple months because Pete has been in the hospital and LeeAnn has been by his side.
Pete & LeeAnn have always been a super fun and generous couple. When they are in the room Pete was always telling jokes and making people laugh. I was always smiling and happy and felt welcome and loved in their company and I am certain many other family and friends feel the same way.
Please donate if you can to help LeeAnn with the overwhelming debt they have incurred in the past few months. Everything counts and is very much appreciated. Thank you very much!