Help Ron Bell “Cricket” fight Cancer!

SIX LETTERS. ONE WORD. Cancer. That is literally all it takes to ruin someone’s life, just six letters. That someone is my dad. On October 29th, 2024, he was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, which we now believe started in his appendix with metastasis to his omentum and peritoneum. Let me share with you what he is going through and why you are reading this:

My dad, Ron Bell, or as many of you may know him, “Cricket,” started having bad stomach aches and bloating around April 2024. Sure, many people have stomach aches, and this really didn’t seem like a huge out-of-the-ordinary thing. After some time, the stomach aches got worse and were mixed with some nausea, pain, and more bloating. He went to the doctors MULTIPLE times, which led to conversations about him getting to an age where “the body just doesn’t work as it used to.” That was his answer—an older age and potential constipation. Well, he was recommended to follow a specific diet as well as prescribed medication to help with this. That was the answer he continued to receive.

Moving forward some more, the stomach aches never stopped, the nausea and pain became more intense, and the bloating got worse. Eventually, he was having difficulty eating, and even drinking fluids was bothersome. With all of these symptoms, my dad went to the ER several times where testing was done, and everything came back normal, including CT scans. Thankfully, he eventually went to the ER on the right night, and the ER physician told him he was filled full of fluid and would need a paracentesis. Thankfully, he was scheduled relatively quickly at Tawas Hospital to have this completed. Little did we know that this wouldn’t be the first or the last time he had to have this done. My dad has had at minimum 10 paracenteses, all removing anywhere from 5 to 8 1/2 L of fluid each time.

My dad started receiving treatment at Covenant in Saginaw after a visit to the ER due to needing another paracentesis and a significant dizziness and sick episode he had. Multiple tests were completed, but yet no answers. For tests up until this point, my dad completed a colonoscopy, endoscopy, multiple CT scans, ultrasounds, multiple labs, biopsies, and so many more. He had multiple referrals for GI health and CMU health surgery in case it was needed, and others.

He continued on the path of doctor appointments, more testing, inpatient stays, along with the pain, nausea, being uncomfortable, and just full-blown exhausted for another few months before he officially received his diagnosis on Oct 29th. Stage IV cancer, colonic primary, with metastases to the omentum and peritoneum.

We all were heartbroken. My dad was told if he didn’t participate in chemotherapy, he would have 6 months to live; with chemotherapy—1-2 years. I am thankful that he chose treatment and even agreed to a second opinion at U of M. The visit with oncology and gastric surgery were the best and more clarifying appointments we had. We finally had the answers to all the questions, and we were prepared for anything. We also found out at this time that his gastric surgeon believed that the cancer started in the appendix and then moved to the omentum. While still not an answer anyone wants, it was clarifying. So we moved forward from there.

My dad is on his 9th chemo treatment and has been responding well. His cancer has not grown in size but has actually shrunk in places. We all know that this is great news; however, there is still a long road ahead. Because of his result, he may actually be a candidate for HIPEC surgery, which will remove the cancer, including the part of the omentum that contains cancerous cells. We are remaining positive about this as my dad has recently been admitted to the hospital twice for bowel obstructions, which can be caused by his specific chemo drug.

Treatment is a beast, and it has definitely taken a toll on him. He has lost over 75 lbs, is weak, exhausted, depressed, anxious, defeated, and, let’s be honest, miserable. But he is doing it, and he is fighting the best he can. And while I can sit here and tell you how unfair it is to see him go through this, it’s the reality, and we have to take one day at a time. We love him more than anything, and we want him to be able to focus on healing and not be stressed by other things such as finances. As you know, anything medical can cause multiple bills to pile up. So far, because of treatments and inpatient stays, he has thousands of dollars in medical bills that I know he worries about, along with the possible upcoming surgery. I want to be able to at least help take this stress from him.

While I know money is tight, every little bit counts, and I know he will be so thankful. Please help me take at least one stressor from him and bring him something good. He’s my person, and he deserves happy. If you know my dad, you know he is such a great person and is always up for helping others. So let’s help him this time!

As he continues going through his journey, I will be sure to provide updates.