Help The Stackhouses Wipe Out Colon Cancer
Donation protected
A laugh, a funny story, or just some good-natured teasing, these are things we have come to expect from John and Pat Stackhouse as we pass through the doors or share a meal in the food service building at Delta Lake Bible Conference Center. Both John and Pat, as well as much of their family, have served selflessly in the food service space at Delta for nearly 30 years. Many, like myself, can share countless stories of the impact that this servant leadership ministry has had on themselves and the countless lives of others. These are folks that we are all honored to call brothers and sisters in Christ, but very simply put, they are family. A family that is currently facing incredibly challenging health circumstances that will desperately need our help over the coming months.
First, let’s try to catch everyone up to speed…
At the end of last year’s summer season at Delta, John returned home to South Carolina after working at Pat’s side for the balance of the summer, and was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. In a shocking turn of events for the family, it was determined very quickly that the cancer was advanced beyond treatment protocols and inoperable leaving doctors with only the option of comfort care for John through his remaining days. Little did most think that those days would be in such short supply as John, in a blessing of sorts, went to be with the Lord only a little over a month later on September 21st.
As a result of this unfathomable outcome and physician prompting, it was strongly suggested that direct descendants of the family be screened and or seek out testing as a precautionary measure. Pat underwent his screening for colon cancer via routine colonoscopy on October 16th.
Results from Pat’s colonoscopy showed several suspicious polyps, some of which were excised during the procedure to be sent away for testing, especially in light of the family history with which Pat now presented. Unfortunately, the results of this testing were less than favorable, showing malignancy and the need for additional testing, meetings with an oncologist and the inevitable scheduling for a colon resection.
So, less than a month after his original colonoscopy, Pat had 13 inches of his colon removed along with 18 surrounding lymph nodes. This, in an effort to remove as much of the offending portion of his colon affected with cancer, as well as to see if any of the disease had spread anywhere else in the body. Pat did extremely well through this surgery and was sent home after 3 days in the hospital.
In the subsequent weeks, pathology results from both the colon section and lymph nodes removed returned, showing that there was additional disease present both in the polyps of this section as well as in 4 of the 18 lymph nodes removed. At this point physicians had laid out a plan for treatment which would include chemotherapy and additional testing due to the lymph node involvement. Ultimately, checking that all disease was removed from the body as a result of the resection. Despite the doctor’s efforts to remove all of the offending disease, the follow up testing, which should show a level of around 3 indicating no additional cancer present, came back at a level of 86. Early this month through additional tests and repeat CAT scans, it was discovered that the cancer had spread and was now manifesting itself as 2 spots on the liver. Due to this now multiple system involvement, Pat is currently being classified as having ‘Stage 4 Colon Cancer in the Liver’.
Psalms 46:1-2,7
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea; the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
This past week (Jan 23), Pat and Jen traveled to Oneida to the infusion center to undergo the first of Pat’s chemo treatments. He will go in every 2 weeks for a 4-hour infusion which will be followed promptly by a 48-hour portable drip at home through a Mediport catheter which has been placed in his chest. This current treatment regiment has been prescribed for the next 6 months. While a liver resection will be scheduled in fairly short order, Pat has been in incredibly great spirits, I think you would come to expect nothing less. However, the weight of this journey thus far and what lies ahead is a heavy one from both a psychological and monetary perspective. For one who has given selflessly to us all over the years, it is now time for us to return the favor. Which is where YOU come in…
The purpose of this fundraising drive is to help offset the medical expenses and travel that will be incurred through the rest of Pat’s cancer treatment and to provide prayerful support through this journey. We ask that you prayerfully consider supporting Pat and his family through his upcoming medical treatment in one or more of the following ways:
1. If you desire to send Pat & Jen an email of encouragement, a passage of scripture, or just a note to let them know you’re thinking/praying for them, we’ve set up an email address that you can use. That email is: [email redacted]
2. If you feel led to give financially towards the medical expenses and travel that will inevitably exceed what Pat & Jen’s insurance will ultimately cover throughout Pat’s cancer treatment, then you can do so by donating directly through this site.
**All Donations Will Go Directly To Pat’s Medical Treatment and Travel Expenses**
On behalf of Pat & Jen and their boys, Evan, Daniel, and Timothy, we thank you for your prayerful support of this cause. We can’t possibly fathom the lingering grief, fear, and anxiety this family has endured and continues to encounter through this new challenge. I pray that this little gesture of giving back has lasting impact as we wait in anticipation, leaning on God’s word in Ephesians 3:20 which states, “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
This is our prayer for the Stackhouse family.
Respectfully submitted,
Jason A. Baldomir
Steve B. Clark
First, let’s try to catch everyone up to speed…
At the end of last year’s summer season at Delta, John returned home to South Carolina after working at Pat’s side for the balance of the summer, and was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. In a shocking turn of events for the family, it was determined very quickly that the cancer was advanced beyond treatment protocols and inoperable leaving doctors with only the option of comfort care for John through his remaining days. Little did most think that those days would be in such short supply as John, in a blessing of sorts, went to be with the Lord only a little over a month later on September 21st.
As a result of this unfathomable outcome and physician prompting, it was strongly suggested that direct descendants of the family be screened and or seek out testing as a precautionary measure. Pat underwent his screening for colon cancer via routine colonoscopy on October 16th.
Results from Pat’s colonoscopy showed several suspicious polyps, some of which were excised during the procedure to be sent away for testing, especially in light of the family history with which Pat now presented. Unfortunately, the results of this testing were less than favorable, showing malignancy and the need for additional testing, meetings with an oncologist and the inevitable scheduling for a colon resection.
So, less than a month after his original colonoscopy, Pat had 13 inches of his colon removed along with 18 surrounding lymph nodes. This, in an effort to remove as much of the offending portion of his colon affected with cancer, as well as to see if any of the disease had spread anywhere else in the body. Pat did extremely well through this surgery and was sent home after 3 days in the hospital.
In the subsequent weeks, pathology results from both the colon section and lymph nodes removed returned, showing that there was additional disease present both in the polyps of this section as well as in 4 of the 18 lymph nodes removed. At this point physicians had laid out a plan for treatment which would include chemotherapy and additional testing due to the lymph node involvement. Ultimately, checking that all disease was removed from the body as a result of the resection. Despite the doctor’s efforts to remove all of the offending disease, the follow up testing, which should show a level of around 3 indicating no additional cancer present, came back at a level of 86. Early this month through additional tests and repeat CAT scans, it was discovered that the cancer had spread and was now manifesting itself as 2 spots on the liver. Due to this now multiple system involvement, Pat is currently being classified as having ‘Stage 4 Colon Cancer in the Liver’.
Psalms 46:1-2,7
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea; the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
This past week (Jan 23), Pat and Jen traveled to Oneida to the infusion center to undergo the first of Pat’s chemo treatments. He will go in every 2 weeks for a 4-hour infusion which will be followed promptly by a 48-hour portable drip at home through a Mediport catheter which has been placed in his chest. This current treatment regiment has been prescribed for the next 6 months. While a liver resection will be scheduled in fairly short order, Pat has been in incredibly great spirits, I think you would come to expect nothing less. However, the weight of this journey thus far and what lies ahead is a heavy one from both a psychological and monetary perspective. For one who has given selflessly to us all over the years, it is now time for us to return the favor. Which is where YOU come in…
The purpose of this fundraising drive is to help offset the medical expenses and travel that will be incurred through the rest of Pat’s cancer treatment and to provide prayerful support through this journey. We ask that you prayerfully consider supporting Pat and his family through his upcoming medical treatment in one or more of the following ways:
1. If you desire to send Pat & Jen an email of encouragement, a passage of scripture, or just a note to let them know you’re thinking/praying for them, we’ve set up an email address that you can use. That email is: [email redacted]
2. If you feel led to give financially towards the medical expenses and travel that will inevitably exceed what Pat & Jen’s insurance will ultimately cover throughout Pat’s cancer treatment, then you can do so by donating directly through this site.
**All Donations Will Go Directly To Pat’s Medical Treatment and Travel Expenses**
On behalf of Pat & Jen and their boys, Evan, Daniel, and Timothy, we thank you for your prayerful support of this cause. We can’t possibly fathom the lingering grief, fear, and anxiety this family has endured and continues to encounter through this new challenge. I pray that this little gesture of giving back has lasting impact as we wait in anticipation, leaning on God’s word in Ephesians 3:20 which states, “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
This is our prayer for the Stackhouse family.
Respectfully submitted,
Jason A. Baldomir
Steve B. Clark
Organizer and beneficiary
Jason A. Baldomir
Organizer
Peru, NY
Pat Jenn Stackhouse
Beneficiary
