VILNA – You have cancer. Those three words are akin to a declaration of one’s mortality, pushing many to despair.
Jordan Dagley, or Jody, was diagnosed with Stage 3C4 lung cancer in June 2023.
Dagley has been going to chemotherapy every three weeks, and he’s no longer eligible for radiation due to mass growth.
He has been told he only has 18 months to live.
“Unfortunately, that’s coming up here soon,” he says.
The cancer involves his lymph nodes, but because it has already developed to Stage 3C4, Dagley says he’s been told it cannot be operated on.
“It’s just a matter of hope,” that “maybe” the medicine he’s been given can prolong his life, he says. Apparently, his cancer is incurable.
Not too long ago, “I told my wife I was going to be here for her for another 50 years,” says Dagley - and he doesn’t want to be a liar.
He also has children, with the youngest being just two years old.
“They’re all expecting me to hang around for them,” he says. “And... I don’t know if that’s going to happen or not.”
Despite being given a clock and a sword hanging above his head, Dagley says he is not going to give up. As long as he breathes, “I’m - we’re going to keep fighting,” he says. Dagley and his family hold hope that perhaps they can find a cure.
“I’m not ready to go yet.”
Cancer can happen to anyone
For Dagley, talking about his cancer is difficult, but he wants to remind others that cancer can happen to anyone. He took care of himself, visited doctors, and was told he was healthy as a horse.
“Then all of a sudden, you get this news.”
Jennifer Trider, Dagley’s younger sister, agrees, urging others to not be afraid of going to the doctor.
She says her brother went for testing because he suffered from persistent cough and started losing weight. After waiting for months, the CT scan results came back with Dagley’s diagnosis in June 2023.
Carol Trider, Dagley’s mother, says it was a surprise.
“We were just not prepared for that at all,” she says. Initially, they hoped it would be curable, but they did not realize that it had already progressed to Stage 3.
“It just really hits you... and I know for myself, and I’m sure for my daughter too - that we had a lot of sleepless nights,” says Carol.
Lifestyle change
Following Dagley’s diagnosis and treatments, he cannot work and must rely on disability benefits, according to Jennifer.
Jennifer says that Dagley’s wife drives their children to school and picks them up in addition to working. She also must drive Dagley to Edmonton for his appointments like CT scans, blood work, and chemotherapy. So, Dagley’s family tries their best to help when they can.
“At first, it was a lot of denial... you don’t think it’s really happening... that he’s going to be okay,” says Jennifer. After denial came the realization of what was truly happening.
Others might say that they would not want to go through chemotherapy due to the side effects, but Jennifer says her brother does not really have a choice. He has children that depend on him.
“I feel bad for him... for his family and his kids... and we’re just trying to do everything we can to keep him with us,” says Jennifer.
Challenges
Despite the challenges, the family is grateful for all those who have expressed their thoughts, prayed, and shown their support for Dagley.
In addition to the health effects of battling cancer – cancer is also expensive. Along with a loss of income, there are many out-of-pocket costs for all those facing cancer.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the average Canadian pays an average of $253 to $550 per month depending on the patient’s cancer and circumstances. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates these costs are much greater for people living in rural or remote communities.
To help ease the financial burden to Dagley, Jennifer started a GoFundMe for her brother. She did not have much of an expectation at first, as everyone knows somebody also going through cancer.
“All of a sudden... [donations] started coming in,” she says. Some have also donated outside GoFundMe, directly to the family. “It was just overwhelming, for sure. We didn’t realize that would be the outcome.”
Jennifer added, “We really, really appreciate all the support.”
Carol agreed. “For every dollar, it doesn’t matter how much,” she says. “It is just amazing how when a person gets sick... to see how much the community steps up.”
Dagley also expressed his thanks to everyone, including friends, family, and the community.
“There’s also a lot of family and people I don’t even know who have come through... everyone has helped out tremendously,” not only in a financial way, but also emotionally and spiritually, says Dagley.
It helps keep him positive.
“I’m sincerely grateful for all of you,” he says.
