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By David Anderson, The Free Press, Kinston, N.C.
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
Sept. 03–TRENTON — A wish came true recently for a Jones County man who has been fighting cancer for the past two years.
Quinn Brimage, 32, his wife Ranae, 11-year-old daughter Kayla and 9-year-old son Jamison traveled to Myrtle Beach, S.C., in early August for a weekend trip.
The trip was made possible through 3HC Home Health and Hospice Care Inc.’s Angel Foundation.
“It was well worth it for them, because they’ve been through a lot, as well, so it was good for them to get out and about,” Brimage said of his children.
The Myrtle Beach trip included a stay in a hotel with a swimming pool, go-kart rides at the NASCAR SpeedPark and a visit to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Brimage is currently receiving in-home hospice care from 3HC. He has been fighting the cancer since he was diagnosed in June 2010.
3HC, based in Goldsboro, operates the Angel Foundation, which allows patients to realize “a special dream, or wish, that would make a significant difference in his or her physical, emotional or spiritual well-being,” according to 3HC’s website.
3HC staffers work with the local community to organize and obtain funds to make the wish come true.
Julie Sandine, a 3HC social worker in the organization’s Maysville office, has been working with the Brimage family since March. She suggested they realize their wish.
“They’re such a young family and they have the two children, and I just wanted to do something where they could have some fun and really enjoy themselves as a family,” she said. “We just started talking about ideas that they had, what their interests were.”
Brimage said he could not join his children on the go-karts, but enjoyed watching them have fun.
“I wish I was able to drive a go-kart with them, but just seeing them be able to have a good time was good enough for me,” he said.
The cancer started with a tumor behind his eye, and traveled to his back, leaving him unable to walk.
Brimage grew up in Cove City and graduated from West Craven High School in 1999. He had worked as a heavy equipment operator until he got sick.
His wife grew up in Jones County and is a 1999 graduate of Jones Senior High School.
“She’s been excellent, excellent help and excellent caregiver,” Brimage said of his wife.
He said she has been “keeping my head up about things, talking to me, praying together.”
Their extended family and church community has also provided support, such as contributing funds for them to drive back and forth to Chapel Hill and Greenville.
Brimage has undergone a round of radiation and chemotherapy through UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill, and a second round of chemotherapy and radiation at the Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center in Greenville.
He is currently only taking pain medication.
Brimage said he has told his children that “I don’t really have an expiration date.”
“When I find out anything, they’re going to be the first to know,” he said. “We won’t hide anything from them.”
David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 or David.Anderson@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at DavidFreePress.
BREAKOUT BOX:
Meet Me Monday:
Name: Quinn Brimage
Age: 32
Occupation: Heavy equipment operator
Education: West Craven High School, 1999
Family: Wife Ranae, daughter Kayla, 11, and son Jamison, 9
For more information on the Angel Foundation, visit 3hc.org/services/hospice/angel-foundation or call 919-735-1387
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(c)2012 The Free Press (Kinston, N.C.)
Visit The Free Press (Kinston, N.C.) at www.kinston.com
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Article source: http://www.equities.com/news/headline-story?dt=2012-09-03&val=440549&cat=hcare