'Doctors giving us no hope'- Carlow family crippled with bills as man battles cancer
A family living in Carlow are relying on donations to help them as father battles with cancer
A father of two young girls from Carlow is urging people to support him after sharing debilitating cancer story.
Wederson Souza is 39 years old, married, and a father to two young daughters, aged 8 and 5.
He has been living and working in Ireland for nearly two years.
Recently, he was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 rectal cancer with widespread metastases.
He said that the tumors have spread extensively throughout his liver, stomach, pelvic area, leg bones, ribs, and spine.
“The tumors lodged in my spinal vertebrae and destroyed two of them. I underwent a very invasive and delicate surgery to decompress the nerves in my spine and had metal screws fitted where the vertebrae were destroyed”.
Wederson had to undergo a permanent colostomy surgery and “has been left completely debilitated”.
He now relies on a 24-hour morphine pump connected to his abdomen to manage the continuous pain, alongside extra pain medications.
“I am unable to bathe or get up without support, and I am losing strength in both my legs and arms.
“My condition is advanced, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy are being administered solely for palliative comfort and quality of life, as there is no cure and the doctors have given us no hope”.
The man living in Carlow said that his wife is carrying this heavy burden alone.
“She drives about two hours every day to reach the hospital, which is in a different city.
“We face high rent costs and have no family support system here in Ireland. Currently, my wife and daughters spend about six to eight hours daily with me at the hospital in Waterford, where I have been admitted for 56 days now”.
Wederson said that his wife unfortunately takes care of him all day long, seven days a week, and is completely unable to work.
On top of their regular monthly bills, the parents face daily expenses such as fuel, rent, and food, as well as daily hospital parking fees.
“Furthermore, we need to adapt our home for my care, which includes purchasing a specialized medical mattress, an overbed table for meals, a wheelchair, and other essential equipment.
Wederson started chemotherapy on Saturday, July 18th.
For those who wish to donate, you can access the link to Wederson’s GoFundMe here.
Wederson’s GoFundMe has a goal of €15,000 and has raised €11 so far by an anonymous donater.