Cancer Care+Medical Expense Help
Donation protected
My Story
My name is Robert Wallingford. I am the father of one son (Blair), stepfather of two (Rebecca and John and grandfather (or adult BFF) to one (Landon Alexander) grandson.
From left to right: Blair, Rebecca, Me, Patti, Landon, Dani and John
Blair (son) and I after a father son golf outing
Landon (Grandson) and his Adult BFF!
At the end of September this year I was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. I have a 4cm tumor on the base of my tongue and a 4.1cm mass of lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Surgery has been ruled out (too morbid) as it would take most of my tongue, jaw, juggler vein and lymph nodes all the way into my shoulder.
The treatment plan starting December 7th will be: Intense radiation along with 3 rounds of debilitating
Cisplatin based chemotherapy.
The side effects of radiation are (possibly permanent) loss of saliva, taste, blisters in mouth and throat making it difficult and very painful to swallow. It can lead to a feeding tube being placed on my side if I can’t eat. The chemo side effects are, hearing loss and constant ringing, in my ear, kidney and or liver failure, and white and or red cell depletion, and then there is chemo brain a non-functioning brain reaction causing short term memory loss confusion, and confused speech.
We are several years away from our SS benefits and or Medicare. My loving wife (Patti) suffers from chronic back issues and has not worked for two years. We don't own a home and pay rent. With the past economy woes and twists & turns in our life we have used up what little savings we had.
I am a sub-contracted employee and don't get all the benefits of being directly employed to a company. We currently pay our own medical insurance with high monthly fee and have a family deductible of $12,250 per year. We are currently making payments for this years (2015) medical bills/deductible and now are looking at a new deductible starting January (2016). I will still be in treatment until the end of January (with side effects lasting up to a year) and will have continued scanning and medical monitoring lasting several more months.
My medical team have said that I will not be able to work through all 7 weeks of the treatment period and for how long after depends on how I respond and react (typically three months).
I am worried sick as to how Im going to keep my family afloat for the months I can't work. We need to keep up on monthly medical payments and have a roof over our heads by paying our bills. I have to stop worrying about this and focus on putting all of my energy into trying to stay alive, and not trying to figure out how to work when it's obvious I won't be able to. I have to be able to focus and put my energy into beating this thing!
We do have great faith in God and that he will help us to endure.
My family thanks you from all of our hearts for reading my story and possibly considering financially helping us out through this life changing experience.
Love to all of you!
My name is Robert Wallingford. I am the father of one son (Blair), stepfather of two (Rebecca and John and grandfather (or adult BFF) to one (Landon Alexander) grandson.
From left to right: Blair, Rebecca, Me, Patti, Landon, Dani and John Blair (son) and I after a father son golf outingLandon (Grandson) and his Adult BFF!
At the end of September this year I was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. I have a 4cm tumor on the base of my tongue and a 4.1cm mass of lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Surgery has been ruled out (too morbid) as it would take most of my tongue, jaw, juggler vein and lymph nodes all the way into my shoulder.
The treatment plan starting December 7th will be: Intense radiation along with 3 rounds of debilitating
Cisplatin based chemotherapy.
The side effects of radiation are (possibly permanent) loss of saliva, taste, blisters in mouth and throat making it difficult and very painful to swallow. It can lead to a feeding tube being placed on my side if I can’t eat. The chemo side effects are, hearing loss and constant ringing, in my ear, kidney and or liver failure, and white and or red cell depletion, and then there is chemo brain a non-functioning brain reaction causing short term memory loss confusion, and confused speech.
We are several years away from our SS benefits and or Medicare. My loving wife (Patti) suffers from chronic back issues and has not worked for two years. We don't own a home and pay rent. With the past economy woes and twists & turns in our life we have used up what little savings we had.
I am a sub-contracted employee and don't get all the benefits of being directly employed to a company. We currently pay our own medical insurance with high monthly fee and have a family deductible of $12,250 per year. We are currently making payments for this years (2015) medical bills/deductible and now are looking at a new deductible starting January (2016). I will still be in treatment until the end of January (with side effects lasting up to a year) and will have continued scanning and medical monitoring lasting several more months.
My medical team have said that I will not be able to work through all 7 weeks of the treatment period and for how long after depends on how I respond and react (typically three months).
I am worried sick as to how Im going to keep my family afloat for the months I can't work. We need to keep up on monthly medical payments and have a roof over our heads by paying our bills. I have to stop worrying about this and focus on putting all of my energy into trying to stay alive, and not trying to figure out how to work when it's obvious I won't be able to. I have to be able to focus and put my energy into beating this thing!
We do have great faith in God and that he will help us to endure.
My family thanks you from all of our hearts for reading my story and possibly considering financially helping us out through this life changing experience.
Love to all of you!
Organizer
Robert Wallingford
Organizer
Lincoln, CA