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JOHN HAEGER @ONEIDAPHOTO ON TWITTER/ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Terrie Lanz pose in his hotel room in Canastota on Wednesday, July 24, 2013.
JOHN HAEGER @ONEIDAPHOTO ON TWITTER/ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Terrie Lanz and his wife Ronda pose in their hotel room in Canastota on Wednesday, July 24, 2013.
ONEIDA >> After recovering from lymphoma two years ago, Terrie Lanz recently returned to the hospital with bone cancer, needing a jaw replacement. After spending almost three weeks in the hospital, Lanz didn?t have a home to return to - recent flooding all but destroyed it.
So now, Lanz and his family are seeking aid.
The surgery has taken its toll on Lanz. After removing part of his lower tibula to replace parts of his jaw and cutting out part of his tongue, he has a hard time speaking and walking. Lanz has had to return to the hospital every week in order to repair skin grafts and monitor his condition.
After losing his job as a press operator at the Oneida Daily Dispatch in 2011 due to press operations moving to Syracuse, Lanz has been on and off unemployment due to his medical condition. Finally in August, Lanz found a job working through a temporary employment agency in Oneida. He was hired full-time at the Hood facility in Vernon in November. Because of the short duration of his employment, he has been unable to receive disability for his surgery and inability to work during recovery.
To make matters worse, while Lanz was in the hospital after his surgery, his home was seriously damaged during the June 28 flood. Lanz, along with his daughter Emilee and wife Ronda, have been living in the Days Inn in Canastota for almost a month. They are not sure how much longer they can continue to live outside of their home.
Meanwhile, Emilee is on her way to Herkimer Community College, a process that was severely dampened when flood waters destroyed some of the necessary paperwork for her enrollment. She may not be able to go to school until the spring semester in January. Her graduation party, scheduled to take place at their home on Stoddard Street, was cancelled; however, the family is thankful for the Oneida American Legion, which hosted the event and helped with most of its costs, the rest donated by family and friends.
The family is currently living off donations from family, friends, Hood, the small savings they have left and the small salary their son Eric makes working for Ralston?s Party Supply. Lanz said he will have to undergo at least six months of recovery, but that process may be significantly longer due to radiation therapy.
?After everything and therapy, I?m not sure I?ll be able to stand for my eight hour shifts,? Lanz said, pointing to the skin graft on his leg covering the partial tibula. He said it will depend on his physical therapy results whether he may be able to work again.
Lanz and his wife Ronda said they are extremely grateful for everything people have done to help them, though they are not sure how they will continue to afford medical costs and the repair costs for their home. With both of their children hopefully going to college in the fall, they plan to get electricity restored to their home and live in the upstairs until they can get the first floor repaired; however, Ronda said she?safraid the stairs may be impassible for Terrie. They are waiting on state aid to see if they can begin repairing their home.
Lanz? family has set up a benefit to not only help with his medical costs, but aid the family in housing repairs and costs. The benefit will take place Aug. 17 at Jack?s or Better on Lake Road in Oneida at 1 p.m. The family will host basket raffles, food, live music and a 50/50 raffle. Entrance is $10 per person, kids under 12 get in for free. Tickets are available by calling 761-9681, 264-5269 or at Jack?s or Better.
Source: http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2013/07/27/news/doc51f2c3a625e37824695793.txt
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