My name is Jeff Ashkettle AKA Shadowpest to the O&A R&F twitter community as well as Soldier Front. I am also known as Poof-Daddy on the Magic Cafe. I was diagnosed with stage 3 tonsilar cancer spread to my lymph nodes. cancer type is squamus cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer).
I quit smoking and heavy drinking 12 or more years ago and still didn't dodge the bullet. As of Jan 1 2012 I lost my job due to not being able to work during my ongoing therapy. Unemployment is also not an option (since I am Unable to work according to my doctors). Social Security Disability is a 6 month wait with no retroactive payments so I wont see a penny till 6 mos go by.
My wife makes only $12.00 HR and has to drive 135 miles a day round trip a day so gas pretty much eats 1/4 of that. I have driven truck over the road for 16+ years and paid my share of taxes to "help the needy" yet my wife's meager income makes us ineligible for most government help. Welfare says I am ineligable for any help and Medicare will not be available to me for two years so until then I must pay almost $500 a month (that I don't have) to keep up my COBRA Payments. I have set up donation tabs for $5 $10 $25 and $50 for anyone with the means to help. as I still have several thousands in copays and deductibles as well as meds and 1, possibly 2 future surgeries. (note - any of the tabs can be hit multiple times ie hit $10 twice to donate $20 or $50 twice for a $100 donation).
I know this community has come together in the past and every little bit will help. If you can help, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, if you cant help, please pass this on and think a "Good Luck Bro" for me.
(*******UPDATE*******)Social Security has been approved in my case so I am able to make my Cobra Payments with little left after that. Thanks to friends, family and good hearted strangers for getting me this far. I still have several thousands in copays and deductibles as well as meds and 1, possibly 2 future surgeries. (note - any of the tabs can be hit multiple times ie hit $10 twice to donate $20 or $50 twice for a $100 donation).