My Dad's Cancer Battle
Donation protected
Only a few days before Christmas my dad was diagnosed with Stage Four Colon Cancer. What was supposed to be a brief trip home, has turned into an indefinite stay as I have become his full-time caretaker. So, we need all the help we can get.
"Cancer can kiss my ass." -Frank LaPace Jr.
Financial Transparency
$50k is a lot of money, but your donations will go to the following...
Chemo Therapy:
- Currently, the plan of treatment is two cycles a month for six months. That's 12 cycles in total. I know this because I am a math whiz.
- Each cycle, after insurance, leaves us with a bill of $721.54.
- So, that means we will owe $1,443.08 each month for the next six months.
- In short, we are looking at a total chemo bill of $8,658.48 for this six-month duration. Math is fun!
Hospital Stay:
- My father admitted himself to the ER the night before I arrived in Florida and ended up staying for 11 days in the Oncology Wing. After Insurance, the outstanding balance is about $10k.
Medications:
- My father's specific Medicare plan does NOT include prescription coverage because life is beautiful and full of fun surprises! So, your donations will go to refills of medications that relieve chemo side effects such as steroids and anti-nausea, in addition to his high blood pressure medication and any other medicines they have yet to prescribe him.
Additional Medical Procedures:
- Dad is getting bloodwork done before every cycle to track his white blood cell count and he will also be receiving CT scans once a month to ensure the chemo is working/the cancer has not spread. This outstanding balance has been totaling around $300 a month, or $1,800 total for the six-month duration.
Groceries, Transportation, and Everything Related to Caretaking
- Your donations will go towards relieving some of the financial strain of everyday necessities like groceries and gas, and later, if I must return to Los Angeles for work, at-home nurse care, and home delivery service for meals.
Asking for help is extremely difficult, and sometimes, seeing someone ask for help ignites resentment or frustration. Why is this math whiz asking for money from friends and strangers? Why doesn't he just sell his hair for wigs?
Just know, it has taken me two months to launch this GoFundMe, but I am taking care of my dad all by myself and I do need help. My pride feels so silly in the ugly face of cancer and the scary potential of losing my dad to it. Besides, my hair type won't look good on everybody and I couldn't bear it being used for Harry Potter costumes.
Organizer
Frankie LaPace
Organizer
Sarasota, FL