Service dog for my dad

Hi, my name is Travis Lehman, my siblings and I are in need of help. Our father, Mark Lehman, is at a point in his illness that it has become impossible to be independent. Not having independence is something difficult for everyone and we want to give it back to him. The way we can do this is by buying him a service dog.

15 years ago , in 2006, our Father was diagnosed with stage 2 papillary thyroid cancer. This prompted a series of thyroid surgerys, radiation treatments, and numerous tumor and gland removals . To our dismay it did not do what it was meant to. It continued to progress and got a lot worse. In 2017 the cancer progressed to stage 4 and a new problem began to arise, a condition called trigeminal neuralgia. This is a condition that causes debilitating pain in the head. You might be thinking it is just a headache but it is not, a headache is like getting a paper cut while his condition is like getting your arm torn off. Since the trigeminal neuralgia began he has undergone different procedures and brain surgery to stop the pain. These have worked for short periods but they all eventually had no effect and resulted in the condition becoming more severe. It is likely that there will be a lot more surgeries and procedures but a more permanent solution is needed.

After discussions with doctors they suggested that a service dog could immensely help his quality of life. The dog would first and foremost be trained to be a warning sign of when the pain is about to happen. This early warning system could be the difference of my father being able to pull over to the side of the road instead of being in a dangerous car accident. It takes away a constant sense of fear that my father and the rest of my family has for his safety. This security alone is why we need the dog. Beyond this, the dog will also help with severe depression that has been caused by all of my dad’s severe medical problems.

A service dog is the answer to so many hardships my dad has been forced to deal with. I have little to no memory of my dad not being sick or in severe pain. My memories are helping paramedics, driving my dad to the ER, seeing him being taken away and not knowing if I would see him again. Please, if you can, help us get a service dog; It would be greatly appreciated. My father can hardly work, while he has a job his condition is so severe that he is often unable to go in. This has compounded on top of the large financial burden demanded for medical treatment. While we do not have the money for this, we know we must find a way; we are determined to help our father. Whether it be a small or large amount every little bit helps; for what I hope is one important step to helping my father and being able to see him living a healthy and happy life.

Todah Rabah, Thank You.

From Pastor Matt

I have known Mark and his family since coming to Manitowoc in 2005. Shortly after my arrival Mark had his first diagnosis and initial surgeries. Through prayer Mark came through these surgeries but they were not as successful as we had all hoped. Treatment after treatment, surgery after surgery are taking their toll on Mark.

But Mark will not give up, instead of retreating into a world of self-pity Mark strives to be an active part of his community and make his family central to his life. I have stood beside him, prayed with him, and cried with him through so much.

What I admire most about Mark is his tenacity to keep going even in the face of great pain. He has told me that he wants to show his kids that no matter how much the world may knock you down, you get up and keep going. I know that he has pressed on through pain just to be at the side of family for their special moments.

Time and time again I have seen Mark give to this community and family at the sacrifice of his own health. In the past few years he has been an instrumental part of our Community Dinner Mission, because of his leadership we have been able to serve quality meals, free of charge to 200+ people every week. He has helped at every turn even when the depression mounts and the pain increases.

Over the past few months Mark has discovered that his headaches are becoming debilitating and their onset is impossible to predict. On several occasions the sudden onset of a migraine has placed him in dangerous situations with equipment at work and driving around town. Mark’s Doctors believe that a service dog could help detect when these migraines may occur and allow him to get to a place of safety. A service dog can also help with his depression by being a constant companion.

As Mark’s friend and Pastor I believe a service dog will allow Mark to continue safely living his life until medical science can figure out how to beat the cancers and tumors that are waging war in his body. I pray you can help make this hope a reality.