This is your chance to be a part of our journey over this Mountain to find a Miracle.

I have heard the saying hundreds of times, but recently discovered it to be painfully true… "Your world as you know it can change in a blink of an eye." 

On March 24, 2021 the ENT told us that Deddy has cancer – Stage 4 tonsil cancer – that has spread to a nearby lymph node. Deddy is surrounded by tons of family on the farm where I grew up. A place where he has lived all of his 72 years, but he lives alone and I am his primary caregiver. 

We met with radiation and chemo – that was excruciatingly sobering. All the side effects are horrific, and we are coming to terms with them. Although I’m not sure that "coming to terms" is something we will ever do in these circumstances. Treatments 5 days a week for 7 weeks. Side effects to last for months afterwards. We meet with multiple doctors each week. Port installation. Constant bloodwork. The looming feeding tube that is to come. And any other issues that will need to be addressed along the journey as a result of said treatments. 

If you need to find me these days, my new address is Duke Raleigh. And the wheels on my GMC seem to never stop spinning. My 15 year old is the most amazing human, and I am beyond grateful he is mine. He’s picking up so much slack in our little home without a second thought, and he jumps in the car of whatever friend or friend’s teenager I send to deliver him to work because I cannot. He has grandparents that dispatch regularly as well to get him to work, school, golf, friends, etc.

The amazing women who own the place where I work are ridiculously incredible as I am all but MIA 100% of the time at this point. I have a couple of special cousins, a tribe of friends, and a boyfriend whose dedication to me and my son are unmatched.

This is our one shot at saving Deddy, so the medical professionals are throwing everything in the book at this awful disease. Deddy and I look forward to this all being an awful memory and are super hopeful about coming out on the other side.