Help the Akers Family
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Please join us in supporting the Akers family. Our goal is to lift their spirits and encourage their hearts in a very practical way. You can see their story below, written by Mandy Akers. We hope you will prayerfully consider helping this beautiful family and sharing...
My name is Mandy Akers, wife of 20 years to Michael, mother of Ayanna, Michala, Daris, and Kellynn. I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. As our two oldest daughters have graduated, I currently school our 14-year-old, while rediscovering the wonder of toddlerhood with our 2-year-old. Our oldest daughter is in the police academy and was recently married, giving us our first son, Ryan. Our second born is a full-time barista and enrolled as a full-time student at a local community college while residing at home with us. Being our primary source of income, Michael is a successful self-employed handyman. I provide before-school care, which brings in a little bit of supplemental income. However, recent circumstances have left us in need of a financial blessing.
On Monday morning, November 18, I took Michael to the ER with significant weight loss, extreme abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe dehydration after being sick for over a week. He received bags of IV fluids and was sent home with pain and nausea meds. Unsatisfied with the lack of proper diagnosis and still suffering, we went to see a GI specialist the following Wednesday. After a brief consultation, the doctor sent us back to the ER with a note for Michael to be admitted for in-patient hospitalization and testing. After days of more IV fluids and pain and nausea management, Michael was finally able to eat and drink. While being cared for he also underwent X-rays, Ultrasounds, lots of blood work, CT Scans, MRCP, Endoscopy with Internal Ultrasound and Biopsy. By Thursday evening, he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer with a large mass in the head of his pancreas. Over the next 5 days, he continued to receive care from the excellent hospital, GI and oncology staff while discussing surgical removal of the tumor and chemotherapy.
However! While preparing for discharge on Wednesday, November 27, the pathology report finally came in: "Acute and Chronic Fibrosing and Vaguely Granulomatous Pancreatitis." The doctor explained, "This is not cancer but a very, very rare, 1 in a million case of a Pancreatic mass masquerading as cancer. It behaves like cancer and looks like cancer. In 20 years of practicing, I have only seen this one other time. That case was in a young child. However, this is rare and there are no case studies to layout explanation and treatment." On Friday, November 29, we met with the GI doctor again to discuss a game plan. Although he does not know the underlying cause, we will undergo more tests and blood work to rule out potential culprits. We plan to seek a 2nd opinion which will take us to a University Hospital in hopes to find someone who is more familiar with Michael’s unique situation.
GOD IS GOOD! We are thankful for this change in diagnosis! It is GOOD to not be facing cancer! Throughout this past whirlwind of a week, I have been overwhelmed with the Peace and Rest of the Lord. We are abundantly blessed with the presence of family and friends, who have stepped up to care for and encourage, not only Michael and I, but also our daughters. We are thankful! We will continue to pray and believe for healing. We also believe the Lord is directing our steps as we seek guidance, recovery, and provision.
My Michael is still suffering. Some symptoms have worsened, while new ones have appeared with joint pain and trouble swallowing. He is also experiencing mental stress over the unknown cause of his physical predicament, as well as over his inability to work. As Michael is the primary source of income for our family, this illness has placed us in a difficult financial situation. Being self-employed: No work = no income. He has spoken several times of taking out a loan to cover our living expenses and accumulating medical debt. I believe the LORD has other means of meeting our needs. Just as we are trusting the LORD for healing, I am trusting Him for provision. In fact, early on, while praying over our situation, I received His Promise that all our needs would be met within a month! Although the duration of this season is unknown, I feel led to prepare for 2 months.
Throughout this whole time, friends and family have consistently asked, “How can we help? What do you need?” WE NEED FINANCIAL BLESSINGS! Our pastor encouraged me to write out our story. A friend has offered to set up this GoFundMe account. Others are committed to spread the word and make our request known. I know that God intends to provide for us in this very tangible way. As many people like YOU give, our needs will be met! No doubt! Here is a breakdown of our current financial needs:
$3000.00 December monthly household bills, groceries and gas
$3000.00 January monthly household bills, groceries and gas
$6500.00 Medical bills for 11/18/19-11/26/19*
$2600.00 Business expenses**
*The $6500 is our responsibility of medical bills 11/18-11/26 after insurance has been billed. This is the total of the currently reported claims. However, we do anticipate an increase in this amount. He was discharged from the hospital on 11/27, has had more labs drawn, another doctor’s visit on 11/29 and appointments for more visits in the near future.
**The $2600.00 is the cost of tools and other equipment purchased for our business. Michael had anticipated paying these off in November and December.
The above is our most recent family picture, taken on Ayanna's Wedding Day. I love it, but it is so uncharacteristic of my Michael, who is usually dressed more comfortably in jeans, a t-shirt, and a camo cap. My man is hard-working, he thrives on sweaty, hard labor and "getting things done" with his callused, skillful hands. Not only does he bring in the income to provide for our simple, yet comfortable life, he also puts food on the table, whether it be a harvest from the woods or from our garden. Up until this year, he has sufficiently heated our home for 20 years, solely by firewood he chopped himself. I believe it was God's prompting that led us to finally purchase another source of heat in preparation for the season we are now in. He is a private and humble man. An avid outdoorsman, he loves his alone time with God, reflecting on life in his "favorite sanctuary."
Thank you in advance for your support. I know that your blessings will put Michael’s mind at ease so that he can completely focus on getting better. I am confident that through prayer and care of doctors, my Michael will celebrate a full recovery and be back to work, in the woods and on the river in God's Good Timing!!!
Love,
Mandy
If you prefer to make your donation another way, please contact me (Celeste) for other options. The goal I set is a faith number that is obviously more than the total that Mandy lists out. This is in anticipation of potential travel for the University hospital she mentioned and the medical bills that will come from that trip and any other test that may arise over the next few months. Thank you again.
My name is Mandy Akers, wife of 20 years to Michael, mother of Ayanna, Michala, Daris, and Kellynn. I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. As our two oldest daughters have graduated, I currently school our 14-year-old, while rediscovering the wonder of toddlerhood with our 2-year-old. Our oldest daughter is in the police academy and was recently married, giving us our first son, Ryan. Our second born is a full-time barista and enrolled as a full-time student at a local community college while residing at home with us. Being our primary source of income, Michael is a successful self-employed handyman. I provide before-school care, which brings in a little bit of supplemental income. However, recent circumstances have left us in need of a financial blessing.
On Monday morning, November 18, I took Michael to the ER with significant weight loss, extreme abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe dehydration after being sick for over a week. He received bags of IV fluids and was sent home with pain and nausea meds. Unsatisfied with the lack of proper diagnosis and still suffering, we went to see a GI specialist the following Wednesday. After a brief consultation, the doctor sent us back to the ER with a note for Michael to be admitted for in-patient hospitalization and testing. After days of more IV fluids and pain and nausea management, Michael was finally able to eat and drink. While being cared for he also underwent X-rays, Ultrasounds, lots of blood work, CT Scans, MRCP, Endoscopy with Internal Ultrasound and Biopsy. By Thursday evening, he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer with a large mass in the head of his pancreas. Over the next 5 days, he continued to receive care from the excellent hospital, GI and oncology staff while discussing surgical removal of the tumor and chemotherapy.
However! While preparing for discharge on Wednesday, November 27, the pathology report finally came in: "Acute and Chronic Fibrosing and Vaguely Granulomatous Pancreatitis." The doctor explained, "This is not cancer but a very, very rare, 1 in a million case of a Pancreatic mass masquerading as cancer. It behaves like cancer and looks like cancer. In 20 years of practicing, I have only seen this one other time. That case was in a young child. However, this is rare and there are no case studies to layout explanation and treatment." On Friday, November 29, we met with the GI doctor again to discuss a game plan. Although he does not know the underlying cause, we will undergo more tests and blood work to rule out potential culprits. We plan to seek a 2nd opinion which will take us to a University Hospital in hopes to find someone who is more familiar with Michael’s unique situation.
GOD IS GOOD! We are thankful for this change in diagnosis! It is GOOD to not be facing cancer! Throughout this past whirlwind of a week, I have been overwhelmed with the Peace and Rest of the Lord. We are abundantly blessed with the presence of family and friends, who have stepped up to care for and encourage, not only Michael and I, but also our daughters. We are thankful! We will continue to pray and believe for healing. We also believe the Lord is directing our steps as we seek guidance, recovery, and provision.
My Michael is still suffering. Some symptoms have worsened, while new ones have appeared with joint pain and trouble swallowing. He is also experiencing mental stress over the unknown cause of his physical predicament, as well as over his inability to work. As Michael is the primary source of income for our family, this illness has placed us in a difficult financial situation. Being self-employed: No work = no income. He has spoken several times of taking out a loan to cover our living expenses and accumulating medical debt. I believe the LORD has other means of meeting our needs. Just as we are trusting the LORD for healing, I am trusting Him for provision. In fact, early on, while praying over our situation, I received His Promise that all our needs would be met within a month! Although the duration of this season is unknown, I feel led to prepare for 2 months.
Throughout this whole time, friends and family have consistently asked, “How can we help? What do you need?” WE NEED FINANCIAL BLESSINGS! Our pastor encouraged me to write out our story. A friend has offered to set up this GoFundMe account. Others are committed to spread the word and make our request known. I know that God intends to provide for us in this very tangible way. As many people like YOU give, our needs will be met! No doubt! Here is a breakdown of our current financial needs:
$3000.00 December monthly household bills, groceries and gas
$3000.00 January monthly household bills, groceries and gas
$6500.00 Medical bills for 11/18/19-11/26/19*
$2600.00 Business expenses**
*The $6500 is our responsibility of medical bills 11/18-11/26 after insurance has been billed. This is the total of the currently reported claims. However, we do anticipate an increase in this amount. He was discharged from the hospital on 11/27, has had more labs drawn, another doctor’s visit on 11/29 and appointments for more visits in the near future.
**The $2600.00 is the cost of tools and other equipment purchased for our business. Michael had anticipated paying these off in November and December.
The above is our most recent family picture, taken on Ayanna's Wedding Day. I love it, but it is so uncharacteristic of my Michael, who is usually dressed more comfortably in jeans, a t-shirt, and a camo cap. My man is hard-working, he thrives on sweaty, hard labor and "getting things done" with his callused, skillful hands. Not only does he bring in the income to provide for our simple, yet comfortable life, he also puts food on the table, whether it be a harvest from the woods or from our garden. Up until this year, he has sufficiently heated our home for 20 years, solely by firewood he chopped himself. I believe it was God's prompting that led us to finally purchase another source of heat in preparation for the season we are now in. He is a private and humble man. An avid outdoorsman, he loves his alone time with God, reflecting on life in his "favorite sanctuary."
Thank you in advance for your support. I know that your blessings will put Michael’s mind at ease so that he can completely focus on getting better. I am confident that through prayer and care of doctors, my Michael will celebrate a full recovery and be back to work, in the woods and on the river in God's Good Timing!!!
Love,
Mandy
If you prefer to make your donation another way, please contact me (Celeste) for other options. The goal I set is a faith number that is obviously more than the total that Mandy lists out. This is in anticipation of potential travel for the University hospital she mentioned and the medical bills that will come from that trip and any other test that may arise over the next few months. Thank you again.
Organizer and beneficiary
Celeste Agett
Organizer
Hampton, VA
Amanda Akers
Beneficiary