In January, I received a call from my Mom in the early evening. I could tell something was not quite right. You know, as you get older your schedule tends to be more predictable and calling your children to “catch up” is a part of that schedule. This is especially so with my parents as they are both very hard workers. My Mom works two jobs (both full time), my Dad works very early in the morning and has a very long day. When we have the chance to chat with each other, it is generally well after 9:00pm and in the beginning of the week. When I saw my Mom was calling at 5:30pm on a Friday, I just knew something wasn't quite right. I actually answered the phone, “What's wrong?” and my Mom chuckled and said, “How does everyone know when something is going on?”. 😆 I believe I got my “easy-going” light-heartedness from her. The kind where you always find the positive side to any situation, and it is something I adore about the both of us.

My Mom started to tell me the following:

Not too long ago, my Dad discovered a painful lump on his left side, by his breast. Now, this man absolutely despises going to the doctor. He will avoid them at all costs! When the lump became concerning, he went to have it looked at. The next events happened so quickly, it has just now started to become a reality to both my Mom and my Dad.

The doctor was concerned with the mass and performed a biopsy. The next communication they received was “it's cancerous”. A mammogram was performed, next a PET scan and bloodwork. Great news, it has not metastasized. They discussed surgical removal of the left breast and can avoid chemotherapy, pending more lab results. This put me at ease a little bit, having a medical background and the optimism in my Mom's voice.

Yesterday, that changed. Lab work showed my Dad is HER2-positive. That news made my heart drop. What does HER2-positive mean? HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer which tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. This protein actually PROMOTES the growth of cancer cells in the body. HER2-positive breast cancer is much more aggressive.

This changes things a LOT. My Dad will now receive chemotherapy for a total of 18 weeks, he will receive a dose every 3 weeks. Tuesday (tomorrow, or 2/09/2021) my Mom and Dad have a tour of the Harold Leever Foundation where he will be receiving treatment. Once chemotherapy treatment is finished, the surgery to remove the left breast will be performed.

During this time, my Dad will be unable to work. At this point he will be out of work for a minimum of 6 months, if things go as planned the way they are right now. That alone is going to be very difficult for him, as he has always been a worker, he gets bored easily. He always needs to be doing something productive! Whether it is fixing things, building things, working, etc.

Obviously, without working, they lose that income source. My Mom will be taking time off work for appointments and surgery, and working as much as she can in between. My parents are not ones to look for or ask for help, ever. I know my Dad is worried about the cost of treatment, monthly bills such as mortgage, utilities, car payments, and the many other things in daily life that require an income.

If I was able to take on every penny for them, I would do so in a heartbeat! However, that is not possible. So I am reaching out and created this fundraiser to offer them a little peace of mind and a whole lot of help while they go through this together. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated. Even sharing this to spread it around would be so wonderful!

I will post updates as I receive them form my parents. ♥️