Ivan's Journey: Overcoming Cancer Together

* update: Ivan went in for a PET scan this last week and it was discovered that his cancer is now in his liver and has progressed to stage 4. We are trying to remain positive. Ivan will be starting chemo on this upcoming Monday. My highest priority right now is making sure he is taken care of and happy and getting rid of the cancer. In the meantime, I want to continue to try to save funds so that we are able to travel and make memories together. If you are able to, please consider donating so that we can fulfill our dreams of traveling together. We want to try to make it to our dream destination of Vermont and New York. This has been really difficult to process and we are trying to remain positive and strong amidst all of this. Thank you…

For our friends and family who have been following us on social media know that Ivan has had his fair share of being in and out of the hospital over the last week and a half. What started out as a routine well check with our family doctor turned into getting a phone call the next morning telling Ivan he needed to get to the ER immediately for a blood transfusion as his hemoglobin was dangerously low. After spending hours in the ER and extensive lab work and transfusions it was highly recommended Ivan have a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Ivan decided to decline and discharge. The following day he woke up to his arm doubled in size and in intense pain, we went back to the ER to find out he has a blood clot in his deep vein and further testing needed to be conducted. We found out that it was related to the transfusion and no cardiac concern which pointed us back to being recommended the colonoscopy and endoscopy. Ivan finally agreed, when I was taken back to the recovery area to be with him as he woke up from anesthesia, I was met with the gastroenterologist with what no one wants to hear, I was told they had found cancer, a tumor the size of 4 inches in his colon that they could not push past to investigate further. As I stood there over him running my fingers through his hair as he slept while getting this devastating news, I felt my world completely shatter and completely alone and scared. All of the “what ifs” immediately started running through my head, how we’re going to get through this and what our next steps look like. After the initial shock and while we’re still trying to process everything, we both decided that this is not the end, Ivan is going to kick cancers ass and he is going to make it out on the other side stronger than ever. with everything out there now, we need support and prayer now more than ever. With Ivan being a barber he will not be getting a paycheck during this foreseeable future, I have decided to take a temporary leave from my new job to care for him post op and care for him at home. He will need a colostomy bag for 6 weeks before having another colonoscopy to make sure the cancer is gone and he will need another surgery after that to reattach his colon to his rectum. As you can imagine, we have a very rough road ahead of us and we are asking for your help. We both will be without pay while we navigate this and unfortunately, no matter what happens in life, bills do not stop. At this time we are seeking $10,000 to be raised to assist in covering our living expenses. We are projecting a timeline of 4-6 months before he is 100% since he will be having 2 surgeries. Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story. We love all of you deeply and thank you for taking the time to be here and support and pray over our family during this difficult time.

With love,

The Perez Family