PJ’s Story:
Whether it’s behind the bar at White Lake Resort, or on the rapier field in the SCA, or hosting an amazing soiree at a steampunk event, or really just any random encounter with the man, PJ makes friends and influences people wherever he goes. He’s always the life of the party and often the host – if you hang out with him, you’ll always have a story and he’ll always see you home safe.
After several-many years being the consummate host at White Lake, he and his beautiful wife Sarah recently sold the resort to a long-term guest and bought the boat of their dreams. The plan was to train the new owners this summer and then retire-ish and sail the seas together. This is a dream they have been building for years… suddenly blindsided by the word no one wants to hear – Cancer.
The current diagnosis is oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, it’s a nasty, aggressive, quick-growing throat cancer. He started noticing symptoms in March and by the time they went in to look at it, three significant and painful tumors had developed on his tongue. Unfortunately, just cutting it out isn’t an option at this point, so he has to do chemo and radiation therapy five days a week for at least six weeks.
At this point, he has met with doctors and specialists of all sorts. He’s had a port put in (though not a fun tawny or ruby one) and has a treatment plan in place. In the next few days, the real challenges will start, so send him words of encouragement, terrible jokes, prayers, pictures of cats, good juju, stupid memes – you know, however you show your love. 🙂
4/28/2022
Y’all are wonderful and have been doing a great job of supporting this fundraiser! I increased the goal to $25K because of your generosity. I put the initial goal as double PJ’s deductible, and this new goal is meant to cover more of the expenses of therapy. Thank you for giving, for sharing, and for supporting this appeal!
8/23/2022 – I finally have an update for you all! From the man himself:
“Time for a cancer update, so if you’re tired of reading about it or it’s just not your thing keep scrolling.
Yesterday I had a CT scan and today I got the results. Now, first, a CT scan is not 100% and can really only look at big things. I will get a PET scan in 4 months and that will be way more precise. However the CT scan is still a big deal because it is the first big check to see if more treatment or surgery is needed.
So the big news, no visible remains of my tumors!!! Yep that is great news. The scan found no signs of cancer!! So no needed surgery or additional treatments… Yeaaaaa!!
So where does that leave things. I have to heal from the damage done in treatment. As of right now I am still pretty weak, and I also I still have mouth sores. So in truth I look way better then I feel, I am way tired of this very very long battle. But I am most certainly winning. And today we should take this news as it is, GREAT, it is great news.
Thank you everyone for all the support along the way, we are not done but we have scored a victory today! So huzzah for all of us and again Thank you all…”
More updates coming soon!
GoFundMe Info:
Unfortunately, PJ only has a basic-coverage, high-deductible healthcare plan and is getting hit with a lot of balance-billing charges on top of the co-pays, co-insurance, out-of-network charges, non-covered procedures/medications, etc., etc., etc… You know, the horror-show of healthcare in America. Then there are the costs associated with daily travel to and from Appleton – he’s getting world-class care for this specific cancer, but it involves a three hour round trip every day. To top it off, since they just sold the resort, this summer he was supposed to be punching the clock for his paycheck. He’s going to be too sick to work and Sarah is going to be missing hours to transport and care for him. No working – no paycheck. The weeks of treatment will be the hardest, but recovery from the treatment won’t be pretty either. Instead of earning a nest egg for their first season on the boat, he is going to need to rest and focus on getting back to health.
So, while they’re not destitute, this is a significant physical, psychological, and financial challenge. Lots of folks have reached out asking what they can do, but many of you live at some considerable distance from little Montello, WI, so dropping off a casserole/hotdish isn’t really an option (not that he can enjoy eating or drinking right now anyway). He is rich in friends and some friendly assistance and encouragement would be very welcome, so drop some bills in the tip jar if you’re able or drop a note in the mail if you can’t.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-pj-sail-through-cancer
(If you want to avoid paying the GFM surcharge (~3%) or don’t want to make an online donation, send a message using the form below for options.)
Requests:
Coming Soon!
Address:
(Please remember that they will shortly be living on a BOAT – send notes and cards unless you are answering a specific request!)
PJ Shultz
N4785 19th Ave
Montello WI 53949