Being A Caregiver: Gerald and Kelly's Story

Meet Gerald

Gerald “Gerry” Forsythe was born and raised in Nova Scotia. He was a wonderful man full of life and personality. He worked in sales and, along with his wife Evelyn, raised 3 children. He was a pillar in his community and took pride in serving his family and volunteering at various clubs and sports for his sons. He was married to Evelyn just shy of 60 years. His favorite role was “Grampy” to his 3 grandchildren. 

Gerry's road to diagnosis 

Gerry started to feel sick in late September 2024. He appeared pale, was short of breath, and very fatigued. Initially, he had routine bloodwork done by his family doctor, which showed a drop in his hemoglobin. 

When Kelly called to ask if perhaps Gerry would benefit from an iron infusion, Gerry’s family physician said that his iron levels were fine and recommended that he simply, “eat more green, leafy vegetables”.  Not happy with this advice, Kelly spoke with Gerry’s gastroenterologist (with whom she works) and made him aware of his symptoms. A new set of bloodwork was then ordered which provided the information to confirm he had AML (acute myeloid leukemia) in October 2024.

Gerry was diagnosed on a Thursday, had a bone marrow biopsy and a unit of blood on Friday and started chemotherapy on Monday. His daughter Kelly states, “He only had 3 and a half rounds of a palliative chemo as it had just taken so much out of him and affected his hemoglobin to a degree where it was dangerous to continue. No other treatment was offered.”

When Gerry was diagnosed, his daughter and family immediately became caregivers. Kelly told him “he was the captain of the ship and we will follow his lead, no matter where that took us. He was in charge and I would do whatever he wanted. He wanted to fight.”

His weakness made caring for him difficult. But his family was committed to doing all they could to help him. By January 2025, Gerry was admitted to the hospital, and by February, he was put in palliative care. Kelly was at his bedside with him daily. On March 19, 2025, Gerry, a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully holding his daughter’s hand.

Becoming a caregiver

While the family helped out as much as possible, Kelly was her father’s primary caregiver. It was exhausting, lonely, and very difficult. It was hard to find the time and energy to eat or sleep. But Kelly did what she needed to do in order to help her dad. “Watching him decline and being helpless. I’m a nurse, and there was nothing I could do to make him better. I had to watch him fade away, and that was the hardest thing.”

Kelly's advice to patients and caregivers 

“I think it’s important for patients and family members to have ALL of their options available to them with regards to their diagnosis and their care. This is a devastating diagnosis and not a lot of information was given to us to help us make any decisions.  The doctor gave us his opinion and his ever ready reply of, “I am so sorry”. We didn’t want “sorry”, we wanted information, options and a willingness to go to the lengths that Dad wanted to go.  

Ask the questions. Have someone with you (if you’re the patient) when you go to the doctor who can write down what was said and the name of treatments and medications.  Take advantage of programs being offered, and search out a support group. It helps to have a fighting spirit, but you need to know that you are not alone in this fight…that there are others who’ve walked and are walking the path you’re on.”

How HealthTree can help

Being a patient or a caregiver can be difficult and confusing. HealthTree is here to help! We have the options and information to help you make decisions. Our secure website is patient-focused and contains many tools that will keep track of your labwork, look for your qualified clinical trials, offer current information on your disease, and even connect you to other patients and caregivers to find support. Join HealthTree and become informed and empowered. Begin your AML HealthTree journey:

HealthTree AML News

You can safely and securely upload your records to keep track of your labwork, look at treatment options, and see solutions to your side effects with HealthTree's Cure Hub. 

Join Cure Hub

• Click on the CURE HUB tab at the top.
• Click on “SIGN IN/JOIN CURE HUB”.
• You will be asked to upload your records from your local care center.

Finally, with HealthTree, you can connect with other caregivers who understand the challenges you're facing.

Connect with Caregivers

• Click on the COMMUNITY tab at the top.
• Click on CONNECT.
• Choose the group, “FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS”.