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Help with Kendall's Colon Cancer Final Expenses

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Kendall is very prideful and doesn't like to ask for help or feel like he's a charity case, but the situation is dire and we need help. Here is his story:


In November of 2021, Kendall was having some issues and went to the Dr. His primary Dr. diagnosed him with hemorrhoids and gave him medication to help. In December his symptoms were worse so we went back to his primary doctor. He said he thought it was still hemorrhoids , but referred us to a GI. We saw the GI doctor and he also stated that it was just a bad case of hemorrhoids. They gave us a different medication and sent him on his way.

In January, 2022 we went back to the GI doctor because the symptoms continued to get worse. I demanded a colonoscopy. The GI Dr. told us it would be April before he could get the test done. That was unacceptable.

When it comes to my husband’s health, I'm a bit of a bitch. We left that office and I immediately called another hospital system. They took him that following week for his colonoscopy.

January 25th, 2022 is the day our lives changed forever. Kendall was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and had large tumor that the GI doctor could not get the camera past during the colonoscopy. They whisked him away for a CT scan and blood work and set up and appointment to meet with the colon surgeon. We meet with the surgeon on Feb 10th and he had surgery to remove the tumor on February 21st, 2022.

They removed a tumor the size of a grapefruit and 18 lymph nodes. After a week stay in the hospital we were sent home with an appointment to see the oncologist to go over our treatment plans.

Kendall had his first Chemo treatment on May 11th, 2022, which happened to be our anniversary. Needless to say these treatments are not for the weak. I watched my husband go through the treatments with such tenacity and strength, rarely complaining and always looking for a positive outcome. He would endure anything to be here for all of us who love him.

In November of that year they allowed him to ring the bell stating he was done with treatments. I was over-the-moon thinking that he was in the clear. The oncologist did a few routine tests and said he'd see us back in January just to check in. The one routine blood test he got was called a Signatera test. (WHAT DOES THIS TEST TELL?)

We enjoyed our holidays with our kids and grandkids and went to our appointment in January, 2023 with so much optimism. But once again, our world was shattered. The cancer was back with a vengeance - and the news was worse than we could imagine.

We had a pet scan next and that showed the cancer had spread to his liver and lungs. Again I felt defeated, but put a smile on my face and told my husband not to worry we would fight this thing together and get through it together. Kendall agreed, again, wanting to do everything in his power to stay with all of us he loves so fiercely.

A stage IV diagnosis was not going to beat us! For the last two years Kendall has bravely endured chemo and radiation. Every three weeks he gets a chemo pump and for the next week and a half he is as sick as ever. He finally starts to feel better about the time his next treatment comes. He continues to fight through it all.

Today we went for his treatment/doctor visit and the doctor tells us the chemo is not working and his number are still going up and his cancer is still active and spreading. He doesn't want to continue with giving my husband chemo, especially if it is not working.

He was referred to DUKE for a possible clinical trial. Unfortunately, there were none available to him.

I have reached out to all the Cancer Support Groups and awaiting their replies. But time is passing quickly and we need an intervention now. Any help you can give is so gratefully appreciated.

I would do just about anything to save my husband's life and keep him here with me, our kids, ours grandchildren, and you - our friends who we know have our backs.

Kendall has been in the hospital since Monday, May 13th, with sepsis and low platelets and will most likely not recover from this. We are trying to prepare ourselves for the end. We desperately need your help as he has no life insurance or other death benefits.

All donations will go towards his medical cost, final expenses and household bills, while I'm out of work taking care of him. Any donation no matter how big or small is greatly appreciated.

Prayers, cards, voice mails and messages are also much appreciated as we face this life threatening time.
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    Organizer

    Robin Shomaker
    Organizer
    Conway, SC

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