Allen’s journey with pancreatic cancer

I put this go fund me page together as a way for us to rally around and show our love, support and encouragement to Allen Terry and family during a time of great need. I want to give everyone an introduction to Allen, his family and their circumstances as not everyone knows this wonderful family.

Allen is a faithful husband to his wife, Tina; a devoted father to his daughter, Kristen; a loving grandfather to his 3 year old granddaughter Kennedi; along with those roles, he is a terrific family member and friend to those that know him.

Allen lives in Ashland, Kentucky with his wife. He spends his free time with his wife, daughter, son in law, and granddaughter. Some of his favorite past times include magnet fishing, camping, and taking his granddaughter to Malibu Jacks.

This family was living life to the fullest without any major concern for health or financial issues. In Fall 2022 this all changed with an all too common word, Cancer. After doctor visits, CT scans, blood work, biopsies; it was found that Allen had Pancreatic Cancer. With this devastating news, they proceeded to go to Kentucky’s

top medical center; University of Kentucky.

At UK they explained that further testing had to be done to stage the cancer and see if it had spread to his liver before treatment options could be discussed. After a trial of tests and a liver biopsy, they concluded that the cancer had not spread. This was a very joyful time and was a tremendous positivity for the prognosis. Allen completed 3 months of chemo treatment where him and his wife drove over 2 hours one way to Lexington, KY to the hospital. At the end of this 3 month period, they performed another CT scan which showed that the mass on Allen’s Pancreas had shrunk! Everything looked very positive and ready for surgery.

February 20th, 2023, Allen and Tina showed up at UK in the wee hours of the morning for the much anticipated surgery where they were going to remove the cancer. The plan was he would be hospitalized for around 6 days for recovery and then would go home and finish 3 months of chemo and finally put this awful trial behind him. When the surgery started, the doctor immediately seen masses on his liver. Despite many CT scans, a liver biopsy, and even 3 months of chemo therapy, a STAT sample sent to the lab revealed that the liver indeed had cancer on it. At this point the surgery was no longer able to be performed. Once pancreatic cancer has spread to the liver, UK and many other facilities classify it as stage 4 and no longer perform surgeries or attempt to cure the cancer. As many can imagine, this come as such a shock to Allen, Tina and the rest of Allen’s loved ones.

Allen is a tough man and has put his Faith in the Lord and he wants to go for a second opinion at MD Anderson in Texas.

I am looking to raise as much money as I can to help ease the burden for this family. Sadly, even when a tragedy occurs, life keeps happening. Medical bills are piling up, prescription costs rising, Allen is out of work and his wife is missing many days of work to assist with his needs, travel expenses just to name the basics. These are just the things that have accrued to date. For Allen to be able to go get a second opinion and hopefully find treatment options in Texas, there will be extensive expenses for living accommodations and travel. Not to mention further medical bills as Allen’s insurance isn’t covering all his needs.

If you are able and find it in your heart to give to a great cause - Allen, his family and loves ones would greatly appreciate it! You can really make a difference!

*pictured is Allen with his beautiful daughter, Kristen on her wedding day*