Michael's Esophageal cancer fight!

My name is Michael and on April 28th, 2022, our lives changed forever. What once seemed important now looks to be so trivial and the important things seem even more important. We still don't know a lot but after over six months of being sick, and losing over 60 lbs. in a short time, we received the diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer. Now that we have finished the scans we are almost through round one of Radiation and Chemotherapy. Although, we still do not know if we are going straight into round 2 of therapy or we are going to prepare for surgery, of course once again waiting to hear from the Surgical Oncologist for treatment plans and options.

It would seem to most that our family has been hit with one tragedy after another. From Windstorms destroying our Woodshed and ruining other equipment that was stored in there, to our truck's transfer case and transmission going out. Then losing my job because I took a stand for what I believe in. A couple of months later we were able to get another truck that unfortunately just over a month or so later it burned to the ground on the side of the highway almost two hours from home. Finally, the big one came in the form of a Cancer Diagnosis.

During this same time, we also found out we were pregnant with our baby boy (Corben Jax due to arrive on August 12th) and yes, we are feeling so blessed. Then I found an amazing new job working with some really great people and a great company where I performed my work at, not the staffing company.

But in everything, there is always a positive light, you just need to see it.

Over the next couple of weeks, we learned what short-term and long-term treatment and prognosis look like, had surgery for a feeding tube and a port to make it easier to get treatment and to stay nourished. I had requested an unpaid leave of absence for the treatment and surgeries, but then at this time I now found myself for the first time in my adult life having to rely on others for even the basics of life. What made this worse was that instead of getting the Leave without pay the staffing agency that I was an employee for just let me go because I had cancer and I was a new employee, so they could. In trying to do what was right for everyone the staffing company, the company I worked for, and my family I have now lost my job, and my life insurance because I wasn’t able to get it converted since I was in the hospital having surgery.

You know over the last almost 10 years I have been telling people that I have never heard of anyone on their death bed or facing a terminal illness that said I wish I only had more time to work. In life, I would say my only one regret would be working and worrying about material things that in the end have no consequence. I have concluded that as our time draws closer to the end the only really important thing is spending time with our loved ones, trying to make amends for those we have wronged even if not meant to do so.

Don’t take this wrong, I have not given up, and while I still draw breath, I will fight for every minute that I can get. I will not give up until the good Lord calls me home, and I can’t believe he is ready to call me home yet.

Our biggest need is for day-to-day living expenses and to pay someone to complete projects that we would have finished this year but now cannot due to physical and financial limitations. It does cost us over $800 a month in fuel just to make it to doctors' appointments and treatments. We will get Disability but because of some stupid Social Security rule, we won't get it until next year if I survive through the winter.

Luke 1:37 – for with God nothing is impossible