Help Patrick Matlock with Medical Expenses

In April 2019, Patrick was diagnosed with Stage III Colon Cancer at 43 years old. He immediately had surgery to remove the tumor and part of his colon and underwent twelve rounds of chemotherapy only to find a second malignant tumor. This resulted in 28 rounds of radiation with chemotherapy as well as an unexpected surgery for a bowel obstruction.

In April 2020, Patrick went in for a scheduled surgery which was abruptly halted when doctors found a third malignant tumor. Two days later Patrick underwent 9.5 hours of surgery with multiple complications and spent 28 days in the hospital in extreme pain by himself due to Covid-19 restrictions. He returned home with a permanent colostomy, a deep wound needing Hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and has been in and out of the hospital several times because of a blood clot and kidney issues.

In July, Patrick started an additional 12 rounds of chemotherapy and continued to receive treatment to help heal the deep wound from surgery. His chemotherapy ended on December 9th and a week later the doctors discovered a 4th tumor which has come back malignant.

Patrick and his wife Terri are absolutely devastated by this news. He has fought so hard and endured so much since his diagnosis and is now facing chemotherapy indefinitely, but Patrick is a fighter and has a strong support system.

Whether you know Patrick from his days serving in the U.S. Navy, attending school at Carmen Ainsworth, studying Surveying & Civil Engineering at Michigan Tech & Ferris State, have worked with him over the years, or somewhere in between, you’ll know he is a kind and optimistic person. He comes from a loving family who are always the first ones to step up to support their family and friends, especially his mother Paula. 

Over the last 2 years while Patrick has undergone treatment, he was able to work part time but lost his insurance coverage in the process. He has not worked at all since the April surgery. While Terri continues to work full time and cover Patrick on her insurance, this reduction in income has added stress, worry and mounting medical bills. Patrick is uncomfortable sitting, is easily fatigued, and is unable to drive because of pain medication and the neuropathy in his hands & feet. His mother and step-mother spend every week in Muskegon driving Patrick to his chemo and Hyperbaric treatments in Grand Rapids to allow Terri to continue to work.

Pat and Terri are so appreciative of the outpouring of support and love they have received already. As hard as it is to ask for money, we would like to support Pat and Terri by fundraising to assist with medical bills, groceries or mortgage payments, and unexpected expenses that arise, to ensure that Pat’s health and recovery can remain their primary focus.