Living in South Louisiana, we grow up knowing how to prepare for hurricanes. But I was completely unprepared when another kind of disaster hit my family this year: my father’s cancer diagnosis.
My parents lost everything when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. They relocated to Baton Rouge and over the past seven years have rebuilt their lives, enjoying my dad’s retirement after a long career with Entergy. This past February, after many doctor visits and a colonoscopy, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. Fast-forward through six life-changing months, and he was being released from the hospital after surgery the day before Hurricane Isaac hit Baton Rouge. We were facing yet another storm, this time while also facing cancer.
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| My dad, Cancer Services client Elden “Buddy” O’Neill (right), with my mom, Joan. |
On top of the regular worries a storm brings, my husband and I now had to worry about how we were going to take care of my father. I was completely unprepared and overwhelmed. He could barely get out of bed on his own, we had no facilities to help make him comfortable and we had already lost our electricity. I just kept thinking, “What are we going to do?” I don’t know what we would have done if the social worker at the hospital hadn’t told us about Cancer Services.
On the morning of August 28th, the winds had already started picking up, and I didn’t have much confidence anyone would be open. When we drove up to Cancer Services’ location at Lobdell and Government, I realized I had passed the building hundreds of times and never knew what went on inside. Not only were they open but they gave us the “red carpet treatment.” We walked right in, and Trish introduced us to all the services they offer. Everyone there was willing to give a hand, and you don’t see that too often these days. We went home with a walker, a shower bench, a hospital bed, nutritional supplement and many more items to keep my father comfortable and help my family cope with an illness through a natural disaster – all free of charge. But even more than the tangible items, the fact that someone was there and willing to help really lifted my dad’s spirits.
Since then, he has worked so hard to get better. I’m happy to tell you that he and my mom are doing well! They were so grateful for the help from Cancer Services that got us through that diffi cult time. Now they are excited about life and are taking advantage of the time they can spend together.
The help we got from Cancer Services was wonderful. My husband and I felt in our hearts that we wanted to give back, and we encourage you to consider giving as well. Cancer Services’ mission is to improve life for those living with cancer. And that’s exactly what they do. That’s what they are doing for my dad and for my family and for the thousands of other families – maybe yours – who are touched by cancer in our community.
Here are some examples of what your dollars can do:
- $100 provides nutritional supplement and medical supplies to replenish nutrients
and increase a patient’s comfort. - $250 provides a wheelchair to restore a patient’s mobility and independence.
- $500 provides a child living with cancer a summer camp experience.
Best wishes to you and your family for a happy holiday season,
