In March of this year (2013) my husband was rushed to the ER of Hanover Hospital. He was bleeding and in great pain. A procedure the next day and further testing revealed he had a large tumor in his bladder and secondary bone cancer, stage four. We were devastated beyond words. He spent 14 days in the hospital being cared for by some of the most wonderful, caring and compassionate doctors and nurses I have ever encountered. The staff was beyond helpful to us in every way. As the initial shock of the diagnoses wore off for me my fight spirit began to emerge fully and I began to think of what was ahead. I ask questions and the administrative staff began to bring others in to help. One of those was a lady named Gail from Sweet Charities.
I knew we had insurance that would pay a good part of the bills but I also knew we were in for a long haul of many bills to come and they were going to be huge. We live on a limited income as we are both retired. When I knew my husband was about to be released I was over whelmed with all the doctor appointments we were going to have to make, the foods he would be needing for his health and other items for his comfort. I called Gail at Sweet Charities.
Gail became a lifeline those first weeks John was home and when I called her needing something she was very prompt in helping me to get it or providing it through Sweet Charities. She made a very hard situation so much easier with all her help. We would never have been able to make it to all of John's appointments and get the things we needed if it had not been for Sweet Charities.
This truly is an organization that helps people at the place they need the help. They are caring, compassionate and understanding and I can not say enough good things about them. If you are from the local area or if you have family here and you are thinking of donating to any charity I would ask that you consider this organization. It will, I know go for a very worthy cause and you will help to make a difference in lives that you can not imagine.
My husband is doing better. He has gone though Chemo/Radiation and is still having some bone treatments. He is also getting massages at home and plenty of fresh local foods to eat. We live with hope that his cancer will go into remission again and we will be able to enjoy more life together. His latest reports are very encouraging. We both feel that we have had many Earth angels in this journey in life we have had to take. We are very thankful that we moved to this area from California when we did. We both know we were very lucky to have the support from all those who helped us.
It is my great hope that one day when things at our house settle to a low roar *L* I will be able in some way to give back to places such as Sweet Charities that they may continue the wonderful work they are doing. They are AMAZING!!
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!
John and Cathy Baumgardner and family
New Oxford, PA
Review from Guidestar