#SmootStrong Forever

My name is Ben Schroeder and I’m writing on behalf of my brother, Andrew Schroeder. My brother and I are two years and two days apart - he’s been my best friend since I knew the meaning of the word. My brother is currently battling Stage IV Neuroendocrine Cancer and this is his story…

Easter, 2023 is when our family and friends’ lives changed forever. After a hike with his dog (Capri, an English Cream Golden Retriever) and girlfriend, Jenny around Lake Pleasant - Andy developed severe GI discomfort that landed him in the hospital. After a myriad of tests - it was determined that Andy had a complete blockage of his colon that was likely cancer. It turned out to be an aggressive, rare form of cancer called “Neuroendocrine” that had formed in the colon; NOT colon cancer.

Andy’s medical team determined the best course of action was to perform a bypass surgery that included a stent device to provide relief from his immense pain and discomfort as well as allow bowel movement. This procedure was successful and bought his oncologist, Dr. Daria and his surgeon, Dr. Buckmire time to make a plan for treating the tumor.

Surgery to remove his tumor was done within days of the initial stent procedure. The mass and roughly four inches of his colon were removed and he was put back together like Humpty Dumpty. Upon moderately recovering from the surgery to remove the tumor - Andy began Chemotherapy in an attempt to remove the microscopic evidence of the disease. After seven rounds of chemo, Andy had zero evidence of the cancer. He rang the bell at the Ironwood Cancer Treatment Center August, 2023 and we celebrated Andy’s fight, determination, and grit.

Unfortunately the cancer-free diagnosis was short-lived as it had returned to attack his liver within 90 days. There’s no amount of words that could describe the heartache associated with hearing that your “cancer is back”.

Andy was told he needed to begin Chemotherapy ASAP again and it would be every two weeks, in perpetuity.

Without getting into the weeds - Andy has exhausted 1st-line Chemotherapy, 2nd-line Chemotherapy, and is now doing Immunotherapy.

Treatment has begun to simply wear Andy down. Hair loss, weight loss, GI discomfort, appetite loss, hives, rashes, and multiple serious infections that landed him in the hospital requiring more surgical procedures are just some examples of what he’s gone through. One of his recent hospitalizations was due to new treatment side effects from Immunotherapy that has rendered him a Type 1 Diabetic. He has since already learned how to monitor his blood sugar and administer his own insulin.

So get to the point, right Ben?!? End of the day so many people have asked what they can do besides simply providing Andy well-wishes and prayers. Well the short answer is simply to donate. Andy’s insurance and short-term disability pay from his job have run their course and there are alternative treatment paths we would love to explore that are not covered by insurance and are very expensive.

He’s been poked, prodded, scanned, pricked, injected, and operated on so many times that the thought of treatment or the hospital insights immediate PTSD.

Andy has never once wavered in his fight, though. He’s the toughest guy I have ever met and has handled this entire situation with such humility, grace, and determination. He would never ask anyone for anything and that is why we are doing this on behalf of him (because he would probably tell me not to).

A couple people must be mentioned in closing - my mother, Wendy and Andy’s girlfriend, Jenny. My Mother serves as Andy’s patient advocate and has never missed an appointment, disseminates all the medical terminology and data as well as keeps the family informed and medical team on their toes. Jenny has stood by Andy’s side since day one of his diagnosis. Jenny is half person; half angel and takes care of him when he’s sick and feeds him with constant positive reinforcement and energy.

This is hands down the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with personally and I simply want to do everything I can to support my brother, our family, and tell his story.

100% of every dollar will go directly to my brother’s treatment OR Neuroendocrine Cancer Research.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to reach out to me directly, anytime for questions or updates.