Woman trying to save cancer- stricken spouse

Having been married for 14 years, Andrea Clementson has known her husband Paul to be the tower of strength in the family.

However, in an unexpected turn of events, it’s Andrea who now needs to be the anchor, after Paul was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare abdominal cancer.

It affects the membrane protecting the abdomen. It is caused by the exposure to asbestos fibres that get embedded in the lining of the abdomen. Over a period of time, cancerous cells appear.

“He married me as a sick person and I’ve been through so much surgery and he has always been a tower of strength. He never break once,” said Clementson. “But when we got back the results and I looked at him, I saw raw fear like he got a death sentence. He just sat there frozen.”

Consultant surgeon at the Winchester Surgical and Medical Institute Dr Neville Graham informed THE STAR that this cancer has a high fatality rate and must be treated with urgency.

“It is very rare type of cancer, which is usually diagnosed very late, and the fatality rate is very high because it spreads quickly,” he said.

Paul, 42, is now clinging on to faith that US$76,000 (approximately J$11 million) can be raised for surgery in The Bahamas.

“We were told that there is no equipment to do the surgery in Jamaica so he has to go overseas and he has very little time because the cancer is aggressive,” said Andrea. “One of the doctors reached out to a friend in The Bahamas who can do the surgery, but he said he can’t travel because of COVID so we have to go to him.”

Been rather stressful

Andrea has been on a quest to raise the funds to save Paul, but it has been rather stressful to meet the mark.

“I never know the surgery would cost so much and we already dedicated all the funds we have because we have gone over J$1 million in test and chemo,” she said. “We are at a standstill right now because the time is short and we don’t have all the money. The doctor is waiting on us to come up with the money so he can set a date.”

Andrea said that she feels as though her efforts are no match for the cancer that is gnawing at her husband.

“It’s a devastating type of cancer, trust me, and it pains to see that I can’t really do much,” she said. “Within six weeks of finding out, my husband lost so many pounds. He used to weigh 260 pounds and right now he is down to 170 pounds.”

She is, however, steadfast in her drive to raise the necessary funds.

“His boss at Country Traders Limited is helping and everybody, including my church, but it’s a lot to come up with,” said Andrea. “I have applied to the Ministry of Health for funding, plus the prime minister and PSOJ (Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica) but have not had any response as yet.”

A GofundMe account was launched and up to yesterday, US$8,970 (approximately J$1.3 million) has been raised.

Those who wish to donate may contact Andrea Clementson at (876) 457-3639 or https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-cancer-surgery-please-help