Devon is fighting stage 3 colon cancer

How life can change in an instant.

This lovely young lady is my 43 year old daughter Devon Doyle.

Here we are with Devon's husband Gene Doyle along with my husband Kenny, celebrating mine (May 27)and Devon's (June 8) birthdays. A fancy dinner Saturday, June 4 at the Treetops Restaurant and visits to local wineries/distilleries the next afternoon was on the itinerary and all was good.

However, on June 14 Devon began to experience intestinal pain that became so severe Gene had to rush her to the hospital. A colonoscopy revealed a tumor, which after surgery, the biopsy revealed stage 3 colon cancer. Devon was able to go home on June 21.

During that first week in the hospital, x-rays also revealed nodules in her left lung.

She returned to the hospital on July 14 for surgery to remove the nodules as well as having a chemotherapy port surgically implanted. She was able to return home on July 18. The biopsy results on July 21 indicated the nodules were negative. She currently remains at stage 3 colon cancer.

Devon is now scheduled for 12 rounds of chemotherapy in the next 6 months. She has not worked since she began to experience pain in early June. Her oncologist has said she will not be able to resume work bartending at the Boulevard Lounge in Brookline for at least 8 1/2 months.

Due to the writers/actors strike, there are currently no movies or TV series in production. Gene has been unemployed from his job with the stagehands union (IATSE Local 489) for several months.

They are now quickly going through their Rainy Day savings with co-pays for a total of 12 days of hospitalization, 2 surgeries, multiple appointments with specialists, along with her PCP, home nurse visits and prescriptions.

We're raising funds through this GoFundMe to help defray costs throughout her chemotherapy and loss of income.

We would also like to put out a reminder that the recommended age to begin screening for colorectal cancer is now 45. Early detection is the best defense.

Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the support, prayers, kindness, and love Devon has received throughout this ordeal. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.