Friends, Family, and Community, We are once again reaching out to you with an update on our dad, Gene Semmelhack. Six months ago (August 2024), he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a highly malignant and aggressive form of brain cancer. Glioblastoma is a devastating and incurable cancer that has wreaked havoc on our dad’s mind and body. About a month ago, our dad had 8 seizures. These set him back immensely. As a result of the noticeable changes from the seizures and dangerous falls, we brought him to Northwestern Hospital where he stayed for almost 2 weeks. The main goal set by his neuro-oncologist was to regain independence and quality of life. As of a few days ago, he was transferred to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where he is receiving intensive inpatient therapy, working to regain strength, mobility, and independence. He is relearning how to walk, stand on his own, eat his meals, and take care of basic personal needs throughout the day. Glioblastoma is one of the most expensive and complex cancers to treat. From chemotherapy and radiation to surgeries and ongoing care, the financial burden is beyond overwhelming. The road ahead is daunting, both emotionally and financially. Our dad has always been the main source of income for our family. His inability to work for the last six months and the ongoing future resulted in a cumulative loss of income, a burden that our family cannot bear alone. Our mom works tirelessly as our dad’s full-time caregiver and a preschool teacher’s aide working for medical insurance and low income. That's why we are reaching out to our loved ones and community, for support to alleviate the financial strain and focus on our dad’s treatments and quality of life. Your donations will directly contribute to our dad's medical expenses and costs of living, including chemotherapy, medications, inpatient rehab, ambulance bills, hospital stays, surgeries, and home modifications. Our parent’s house will need modifications such as a wheelchair-accessible entry ramp and bathroom accommodations to ensure the safety of our dad and help prevent future falls. The outpouring of love and support our family has received has been incredible. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there for us as we navigate the complexities of this cancer. Let's continue to fight alongside our dad as he battles Glioblastoma! With love and appreciation, Evan, Morgan, and Ben (Gene’s children)
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