PETE VAN DER WALT – AMPUTATION

# LATEST - 22 FEBRUARY

It was a sudden and swift move, but the Lord opened the doors for Dad to have his hand amputated yesterday. After 4 hours the operation was successful with no complications. The cost of the surgery so far has accumulated to $3,000 with more expenses to follow. We are looking to raise around $5,000 from this point....

6 FEBRUARY 2024

Please see latest in "updates" section.

# LATEST - 29 JANUARY 2024

Hello everyone, I hope this finds you well. It has been a while since my last update, largely because I haven’t known what to say. There are definitely some improvements since the last time I wrote; namely, the results of the biopsy from his hand came back NEGATIVE, indicating that the radiation has done its work in killing off the invasive cancer. But only half the battle has been won. This has left Dad with a mass on his hand that only time can heal. We investigated the option of surgically removing the rest of the mass, but with the possibility that they may not be able to save his hand, and not to mention the costs exceeding $3,000, we decided not to go that route.

Mom has been overwhelmingly resilient, constantly caring for Dad’s hand and personally debriding (taking off) whatever is ready to come off of the scab. As of today, I would say that at least half of the scab has come away. This has been with the help of continuing with the HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) treatments 2 – 3 times per week with the limited funds we have had available. The ideal would be to continue with the HBOT treatment throughout the duration of the process.

No one tells you of the dire effects of radiation, which has caused fibrosis and neuropathy in his hand. For those, like me, who don’t know what that means, his fingers are rock hard with little to no movement (fibrosis) and excruciating pain from damaged nerves exposed to radiation and destroyed by the tumour (neuropathy). We have done extensive research online (there has been no post-radiation support from the medical facilities), and it turns out that *THE ONLY* thing that can reverse the affects of radiation fibrosis and neuropathy happens to be… HBOT! This adds to our desperation for him to continue on this treatment for as long as possible.

While life goes on in an orderly fashion around him, Dad is trapped in a prison of pain. It is a debilitating experience that saps him of all strength and motivation. We are doing our utmost to try and control the pain, but not even morphine takes the edge off what he is feeling. Dad could really do with your prayers and encouragement. Currently, he is unable to sustain more than 10-15 minutes of activity, where the pain gets so unbearable that he tries to sleep it off. His admission is that the pain is worse now than it has ever been before. This is largely due to the regrowth of tendons and nerves that are reattaching to his fingers due to the HBOT.

For Dad, he is so ready to wake up out of this nightmare that he has been in for over four years now, heightened 6 months ago when he collapsed due to his body being so run-down from the fight. But unfortunately, there is no exit but getting to the other side.

I must commend Dad’s employer, who has graciously kept him on full salary for six months despite not being able to attend work since June. But all good things must come to an end, and Dad was officially retired at the end of December. We have pulled together as a family in order to take care of Mom and Dad’s basic living expenses. Unfortunately, Dad’s medical expenses are too heavy a load to carry on our own, especially with no medical aid. Mom is amazing; she is a champion and a warrior, staying up all night with Dad in his sleepless fits of pain, then diligently putting together her cake orders and spending everything she gets on the next session of HBOT. Fitting in daily chores and spending half her day three times a week with Dad at the chamber. Never complaining, always hopeful, always encouraging. She truly is an “unsung hero” and may the Lord honor her for her faith, faithfulness, and resilience.

Things being as they are, I have no choice but to reach out and ask that you continue to remember and support my Dad and my Mom in this critical time for them. Your prayers are what carries them through; a message goes a long way, and the smallest financial contribution does more than you know.

Medication costs roughly $50 per week with painkillers and constant dressings and ointments.
HBOT costs $240 per week plus the hidden costs of fuel for a long trip there and back.
I have been looking into pain management specialists, who are few and far between, but unfortunately, funds prevent me from taking further action on this.

I ask that you would forward this campaign on to anyone who might be willing to support my parents through this stressful time.

Thank you so much for your love and support towards us as a family. The reason you are reading this message is testimony of the concern you have for Dad. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart.

.................

Those who know my dad, Pete Van Der Walt, can attest to his heart of gold and his unwavering commitment to helping others, often at his own expense. He is one of the most selfless individuals I've ever known.

What remains unknown is the excruciating pain my dad endures on a daily basis due to the skin cancer lesion on his hand. This relentless condition puts pressure on the radial nerve, causing shooting pain throughout his body, making sleep an elusive luxury. Despite the challenges, at the age of 71, he faithfully gets up at 5:00 a.m. every day to prepare for his full-time job.

It has been four years of back-and-forth struggles: each aggressive attempt to target the tumor being met by its resilient return -- and the toll on my dad has become evident.

In praying for a solution, we never imagined that the catalyst for his treatment would involve an ambulance. It was a traumatizing incident when he fainted due to weakness, accidentally hitting his head and necessitating an urgent rush to the hospital.

We all hope; hope for healing, hope for a miracle; hope that medication will do it's thing. But there comes a day that hope must be met with a swift and decisive call to action.

For us, that day arrived on Monday, June 26, 2023, where our visit to the emergency room set the wheels in motion for an appointment with an oncologist.

After a thorough discussion, it became clear that my dad's path to recovery lies in 6 weeks of radiation treatment to combat this formidable adversary called cancer.

We are currently undergoing various tests, including blood tests, a CT scan, and biopsies, which are incurring costs exceeding $1,000. Furthermore, we have been informed that the radiation treatment will cost approximately $8,000—a sum that has understandably caused anxiety and worry.

But how can we quantify the value of a loved one? How can we assign a price tag to the well-being of someone who has spent their entire life lending a helping hand to those in need? It is now our turn to rally behind my dad, Pete Van Der Walt, and provide him with the support he urgently needs during this critical time.

If you know anyone who would be willing to support my dad's cause, please forward this campaign to them. Your help in sharing this campaign and raising awareness is immensely valuable.

We are overwhelmed with love and appreciation for you all. Thank you for your support and giving my dad the chance to regain his health, ensuring many more years of his selfless service to others.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Van Der Walts