My name is Pierre Gasimbo and I am writing on behalf of my siblings and the rest of our family. Though our father is diabetic, he has been healthy overall. Without warning, he took ill two days before Christmas, on Dec 23rd. He has been hospitalized and diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer--Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This devastating news has hit our family hard, as it was so sudden. Since being hospitalized, his body is deteriorating rapidly and he is losing much of his weight and strength. He continues to express constant agonizing pain.
The purpose of sharing this is, on behalf our family and siblings, to reach out to all friends and family, near or far, to provide my father the best care that we are able to as we face the possibility of him passing away. We are accepting what the doctors have told us, but we hold our truth that God can work miracles.
Accuracy on Hospice; Our Father was transferred from hospital to a nursing facility that has skill training and Physical therapy. At the time of hospital transfer he was not a qualified candidate for any hospice services but as his body continues to fail him as of January 10 he was discharged from physical therapy making him a candidate for hospice. Applications for hospice were turned on Wednesday, January 11th and can take up two months to get approval and family are taking proactive measures because during the waiting period the family is obligated to cover $250 per day for "room and board" while his state insurance covers the medications. "Because room and board are not covered by Medicare, it cannot be treated as a “cross-over” item for partial payment by TennCare." -Policy Office, Bureau of TennCare Section 3. Room and Board.
We would never think in a million years that we would have to use this website for ourselves. We have faith that, with the love of God, your prayers, and your helping hand we will overcome this battle. In the Bible Luke Chapter 12:48, it says: “For of those to whom much is given, much is required.”
A word on who our father is; our father Mathias(Matthew) Nzobonankira Matemere is a God fearing, hard working Christian man, full of life and respected by many. Raised in Kayanza, Burundi, he survived so much of the Burundi-Rwanda genocide turmoil and was forced to live in Tanzania refugee camps. In December 1998, he settled in Nashville, Tennessee. He is an amazing father, a grandfather, great grandfather and a community man. Our father has always worked to serve others and love everyone in his community. His sense of community spirit is what inspired him to serve as a city alderman. Today, he’s a well-respected community man, known to donate much his time to help resolve conflicts during his time as a mediator of many disputes within the local community. Despite everything that has tried to crush his spirit, he has continued to serve the community through his church in Nashville. Despite this sudden illness, if you are blessed to see him at his hospice bedside, you will see he remains strong and steadfast in his faith in God.
Friends, I know that times are tough right after Christmas. If you are able to lend us your support, whether by donating or sharing our story, it will provide our father with a fighting chance that can ease his suffering and allow him to be with his family during his darkest hour. We are eternally grateful for your compassion.
-Gasimbo on behalf of Mister Matemere and his family.
Read more updates here https://www.gofundme.com/allinfor-matemere-cancer-fund?viewupdates=1&rcid=acf062f1340042d9a361b64d91a5c2dd&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=body_photo&utm_campaign=upd_n