Help for Carlos and Angela

Last month, my stepdad Carlos McClendon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This was very devastating news to our family since this is his 3rd battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2004 which required surgery and radiation. Then in June 2007, while him and my mom were on their honeymoon, he became very sick and they had to come home early. He was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. At first his prognosis was not very promising, but miraculously he fought through. He spent several weeks in the hospital and months receiving chemotherapy.

Carlos is currently in the ICU recovering from the surgery that was needed to remove the tumor in the body of his pancreas. He had a distal pancreatectomy, but during the surgery, the doctor realized the cancer was worse than he had anticipated. He had to remove 90% of Carlos' pancreas and his entire spleen. He will have to remain in ICU for several more days and then be moved to the surgical unit for atleast another week to 10 days. We are praying that he will be home by Christmas. Carlos will then have to start radiation therapy for several more weeks.

Carlos and my mom are not people who have ever asked for financial support even when he was retired from his employer due to his illness and disabilities from spine surgery that was a result of the chemotherapy. My mom has already had to miss several weeks of work due to Carlos’ illness and will have to miss many more to stay with him. She will have to be his primary caretaker when he gets out of the hospital.

As many of you know, Carlos would do anything for anybody, and it kills him to ask for help, but they are going to need financial help to cover my mom's lost income, medical bills, and medication. I know they would both deeply appreciate any help. Whatever money that is not used for their needs, will be donated to Pancreatic Cancer Research.

We thank you in advance for your kindness.