Ken's Cancer Fund

To my Family and Friends.

As many of you by now know, I have recently been diagnosed with Stage Two Pancreatic Cancer.  I had been feeling very tired and having some other symptoms, but felt it was just part of getting a little older and was dealing with it the best I could.  I decided a month or so ago to leave Florida and return to Illinois to be near my Son Matt as he was having his first Child and my first Grandchild.   My Grand Daughter (Chloe) is scheduled to be born exactly one week after my surgery on October 23rd, 2015.  

I am scheduled to have a five hour operation on October 16th at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.  I will be in the hospital for approximately 7-8 days and will be in recovery at home for about 6-8 weeks.  I will also be undergoing Chemo Therapy for about 3 months after release from the hospital.

Since my diagnosis, I have been overwhelmed with an outpouring of prayers, kind words and offers of support of those wondering how or what they could do to assist me and my family through this most difficult time.   No one is EVER prepared when a Doctor walks in the room and tells you that you have cancer.  It hasn't totally soaked in yet, but I have tried very hard to maintain a positive attitude and am prepared to meet it head on and fight with everything I have to beat this challenge.  For those of you that know me best know that I'm not afraid of a challenge and will give this my best effort from start to finish.  Having the friends and family I have make the decision to fight an easy one and for that I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you.

I don't have insurance to cover any of the medical costs or any source of income during this process to pay for medication or any associated expenses as I move forward during the surgery and recovery period.   I have no timetable to when I'll be able to begin working again or what my long term diagnosis is at this time concerning what type of work I'll be able to do afterwards.

Clint Eastwood once said......"A man's got to know his limitations" and for once I realize that I've met a challenge that I can't battle alone.  I need your help.   I'd give anything to be able to handle this without the need of assistance, but the reality is I can't and must allow those who have offered to reach out and help me as they see fit. 

For all of those who have already offered their prayers and support, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Please know that your warmth and kindness will never be forgotten.  I fully expect to beat this illness and be able to thank each and every one of you in person with a clean bill of health.
 
Please feel free to share this site with others and I'd love to hear from everyone as we begin this journey together. 

God Bless.

Ken