Just a month ago, Jerry Wuske was coughing more than normal, so he decided to see a doctor and have it checked.
He was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic thyroid cancer.
“When he went in, they started right away,” said his cousin, Ron Wuske.
Ron Wuske’s wife, Donna, said Jerry, 56, was also suffering from AFib.
“He can’t get his air, because where the thyroid is growing, it’s blocking his esophagus,” she said. “They just transferred him. He’s down in Madison, because they are putting a stent in his throat, hoping that at least he’ll be able to start breathing better and eat soft foods.”
Prior to going to Madison, he was getting nourishment through a feeding tube. The cancer had spread to his lungs and kidneys.
Jerry Wuske was a truck driver for many years, including working for Kielblock Forwarding in Antigo and then as a self-employed driver.
He has no health insurance.
Ron and Donna Wuske, with the help of other family and friends, organized a poker run Aug. 2 to raise funds for Wuske’s medical expenses.
Eight bars were included in the run that started at the Wuskes’ bar, The Dam Barn on Weasel Dam Road east of Tigerton.
Sassy’s Bad Habit in Gresham donated the food for the lunch.
At The Dam Barn, $1 from each item sold that day went to the medical expense fund.
Basket raffles and 50/50 raffles were also held.
“Everybody in the community has just really come together and helped,” Donna Wuske said. “It’s been amazing.”
After the poker run, the bluegrass band The Burdocks performed, as did Scott Wuske on his concertina. Fireworks ended the daylong extravaganza.
Organizers have yet to determine the total proceeds from the events.
For those who would like to contribute, there is a GoFundMe page, Support Jerry’s Battle Against Cancer.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
