Wes Rockett Memorial Fund
Donation protected
Please help Cameron and I get out of Wesleys remanning medical and funeral/ memorial debts. I love Wes so much, to do what was needed I never waivered, but I seriously thought he was too strong to die, as he felt better I could work at least part time, but it was impossible; he needed my 24 hour care.
The heading picture is of my son, a special needs non-verbal child with Autism. Cameron and Wes enjoyed much wrestling and tickle-fights on the couch --they had a very special bond. I don't know how Cameron will react when he realizes the loss of his "Big Buddy.
First of all, I am so gracious for all of our personal friends, LDS Church Family, Hospice of Sunrise Shore, Hospice of Michigan. Judy, Bill and helpers at Friends Together, and the U of M Onocoligical team in both Ann Arbor and Alpena. Sadly, our fighter did not make it, and for that I must turn back to GoFundMe once more.
Wes and I met in 4th grade, 1972, and he sat right behind me. For him it was the optimal position for pulling on my ponytails, pigtails and purse straps. We road the bus together and soon teasing changed to his noticing my science and mathematical talents that he so badly needed a little help with. Within a week or two we became fast friends.
Wes was a tremendous athete. Not a huge man by any definition, he was and remained at 5'7" and 165 lbs (Until sadly, cancer took him down to 98 lbs. )He won the State Level of Golden Gloves earning him the Julius Piazzo Award for State Title with Top Honors. He was also part of the Michigan All Star Running Back team. He played varsity football for over 3 years two years as Co-captain. In addition to his school sports the two of enjoyed golfing, morel hunting, hiking and fishing.
Throughout junior high and high school we remeaimed friends. It was never romantic, but it was always special. We often sat in a group, and he often got me in trouble . As the school years passed we'd run into each other; he was vacationing family back in Michigan, and my being home from the Detroit area. The meeting always commenced with a huge bear hug. Can you imagine his shock he found I was in my ninth month of pregnancy!?
In 2012 I just happened to be divorced, as was he, when we ran into each other at the local junk yard! He asked me for a date by asking first if my husband knew I had no water in my water pump. I replied that I wasn't married. He thought a bit, then asked if my boyfriend new I needed a new pump. I told him I wasnt seeing anyone. He thought for a second or two, then asked what we wanted to do Friday night. That was our first date --we never went off of. We had such a fun time that I knew Wesley was the love of my life.
"When you meet that special someone you'll understand why it didn't work out with anyone else."
After two and a half year together and married 6 months Wes developed a sore - like a canker sore - on the side of his tongue. He cut down orange juice, whiskey, anything highly acidic. By then we had moved to Colorado and we took him to emergency. The staff was perplexed, but could not do any thing since our Colorado health care had yet to kick in. One word about Michigan Healthcare---UofM. The finest-oiled specialty hospital around. With NOTHING but a presumptive approval Wes was quickly in surgery back in Michigan where he had approximately 90% of his tongue, some lymph nodes and part of his abdomen (flap used to create new tongue) detached/attached. He retained some speech and taste after 10 days. To us it was a miracle; God's answers to so many prayers. I was completely amazed at how he'd endure the nasal-gastric and peg feedings. He'd speak freely to strangers while out on walks - nothing would stop his story-telling - most times he needed to be repeated or I would be his interpreter.
We made the long 3 1/2 hour trip back to Alpena, MI. He looked so good. At our first meeting with Dr. Hitzleberger, the oncologist from UofM in Alpena we discovered that Wes had to undergo 10 weeks of extensive chemo and radiation. Wes was not happy with either one.I don't know which was worst; the radiation when his head had to be motionlessly screwed to an inverted table (Wes was claustrophobic), or the chemo that kept both of us on the bathroom floor all night rubbing his back while he dry heaved everything he had...until two more days and it started all over again. This is when he lost 60 lbs and quit with two weeks remaining in treatment.He also quit all further PET scans--- if it was still there he was leaving it in God's hands. If it were gone, he'd life each day as his last.
Prior to his tongue-removal surgery I had to quit my job as a bookkeeper to be his 24/7 caretaker and driver - most importantly his hand-holder. He needed tubal feedings, bandage changing, tracheotomy care, toileting , bathing. Sometimes the pain was so severe he needed to be physically rolled over so as not to develop bed sores. Wes, in like fashion, had to quit all of his construction and concrete jobs and while he held my hand and offered reassurances GoFunMe helped us make it through the first four months expenses until his temporary SSI kicked in. We sold my office suite which included a iMac, color printer and software licenses. Many treasured items, most personal belongings -even heirlooms - were sold. We sold many of Wes's tool --- many prized from his grandfather and intended for his sons.
But now with Wes gone, all savings gone, vehicle gone, home gone and full-time SSA just approved, but now going away, it will onlyprovide for a 1-time death benefit of$200+ I have to pay for a cremation, two head stones (one in Spruce, Mi and one in Nederland, Co, )death certificates, permits, meals, travel,newspaper announcements, etc. --
I truly hate to ask once more, but now my focus must switch back to Cameron who'se been living full time with his dad. I need these expenses taken care of first.
With great love and appreciation,
Joy
Memorial Details: Saturday, May 13, 11:00 a.m. Spruce Presbyterian Church (The Stone Church). Meal to follow. Final interment: The Glorious Mountains of Nederland, CO.
The heading picture is of my son, a special needs non-verbal child with Autism. Cameron and Wes enjoyed much wrestling and tickle-fights on the couch --they had a very special bond. I don't know how Cameron will react when he realizes the loss of his "Big Buddy.
First of all, I am so gracious for all of our personal friends, LDS Church Family, Hospice of Sunrise Shore, Hospice of Michigan. Judy, Bill and helpers at Friends Together, and the U of M Onocoligical team in both Ann Arbor and Alpena. Sadly, our fighter did not make it, and for that I must turn back to GoFundMe once more.
Wes and I met in 4th grade, 1972, and he sat right behind me. For him it was the optimal position for pulling on my ponytails, pigtails and purse straps. We road the bus together and soon teasing changed to his noticing my science and mathematical talents that he so badly needed a little help with. Within a week or two we became fast friends.
Wes was a tremendous athete. Not a huge man by any definition, he was and remained at 5'7" and 165 lbs (Until sadly, cancer took him down to 98 lbs. )He won the State Level of Golden Gloves earning him the Julius Piazzo Award for State Title with Top Honors. He was also part of the Michigan All Star Running Back team. He played varsity football for over 3 years two years as Co-captain. In addition to his school sports the two of enjoyed golfing, morel hunting, hiking and fishing.
Throughout junior high and high school we remeaimed friends. It was never romantic, but it was always special. We often sat in a group, and he often got me in trouble . As the school years passed we'd run into each other; he was vacationing family back in Michigan, and my being home from the Detroit area. The meeting always commenced with a huge bear hug. Can you imagine his shock he found I was in my ninth month of pregnancy!?
In 2012 I just happened to be divorced, as was he, when we ran into each other at the local junk yard! He asked me for a date by asking first if my husband knew I had no water in my water pump. I replied that I wasn't married. He thought a bit, then asked if my boyfriend new I needed a new pump. I told him I wasnt seeing anyone. He thought for a second or two, then asked what we wanted to do Friday night. That was our first date --we never went off of. We had such a fun time that I knew Wesley was the love of my life.
"When you meet that special someone you'll understand why it didn't work out with anyone else."
After two and a half year together and married 6 months Wes developed a sore - like a canker sore - on the side of his tongue. He cut down orange juice, whiskey, anything highly acidic. By then we had moved to Colorado and we took him to emergency. The staff was perplexed, but could not do any thing since our Colorado health care had yet to kick in. One word about Michigan Healthcare---UofM. The finest-oiled specialty hospital around. With NOTHING but a presumptive approval Wes was quickly in surgery back in Michigan where he had approximately 90% of his tongue, some lymph nodes and part of his abdomen (flap used to create new tongue) detached/attached. He retained some speech and taste after 10 days. To us it was a miracle; God's answers to so many prayers. I was completely amazed at how he'd endure the nasal-gastric and peg feedings. He'd speak freely to strangers while out on walks - nothing would stop his story-telling - most times he needed to be repeated or I would be his interpreter.
We made the long 3 1/2 hour trip back to Alpena, MI. He looked so good. At our first meeting with Dr. Hitzleberger, the oncologist from UofM in Alpena we discovered that Wes had to undergo 10 weeks of extensive chemo and radiation. Wes was not happy with either one.I don't know which was worst; the radiation when his head had to be motionlessly screwed to an inverted table (Wes was claustrophobic), or the chemo that kept both of us on the bathroom floor all night rubbing his back while he dry heaved everything he had...until two more days and it started all over again. This is when he lost 60 lbs and quit with two weeks remaining in treatment.He also quit all further PET scans--- if it was still there he was leaving it in God's hands. If it were gone, he'd life each day as his last.
Prior to his tongue-removal surgery I had to quit my job as a bookkeeper to be his 24/7 caretaker and driver - most importantly his hand-holder. He needed tubal feedings, bandage changing, tracheotomy care, toileting , bathing. Sometimes the pain was so severe he needed to be physically rolled over so as not to develop bed sores. Wes, in like fashion, had to quit all of his construction and concrete jobs and while he held my hand and offered reassurances GoFunMe helped us make it through the first four months expenses until his temporary SSI kicked in. We sold my office suite which included a iMac, color printer and software licenses. Many treasured items, most personal belongings -even heirlooms - were sold. We sold many of Wes's tool --- many prized from his grandfather and intended for his sons.
But now with Wes gone, all savings gone, vehicle gone, home gone and full-time SSA just approved, but now going away, it will onlyprovide for a 1-time death benefit of$200+ I have to pay for a cremation, two head stones (one in Spruce, Mi and one in Nederland, Co, )death certificates, permits, meals, travel,newspaper announcements, etc. --
I truly hate to ask once more, but now my focus must switch back to Cameron who'se been living full time with his dad. I need these expenses taken care of first.With great love and appreciation,
Joy
Memorial Details: Saturday, May 13, 11:00 a.m. Spruce Presbyterian Church (The Stone Church). Meal to follow. Final interment: The Glorious Mountains of Nederland, CO.
Organizer
Wes Rockett
Organizer
Hubbard Lake, MI