Fight Against Colorectal Cancer

Hello my name is Tavala Ferguson. It all started around March 2020 when I was having some very bad stomach pains along with some other strange complications, it was said by doctor that I have a stomach ulcers. After learning that I had a stomach ulcer I changed my eating habits immediately, causing me a tremendous weight lost. After being put on meds and the pain still occur, I went to the states and had a colonoscopy done up and down, at this point the doctor in the states told me that there is a Tumor on my lower colon and that it is not cancerous, I can have a surgery and have it removed which was costing around $8,500 I did not have the funds so I came back home continue work and think the next step through. There came Covid~19 which not only shut down the work forces but the world. At this point I was home having some very very bad pains and strange complications, the government then shut down the movement of travel and made it hard for me to could have move because I would of had to pay $200 or more on a covid test and additional for plane ticket to go to Nassau to see the doctor. The government later on re opened the country which now allow me not to have to do the covid test to go Nassau, so I went to Nassau right when the islands opened up. I went to PMH where I took my notes that the doctor from the states emailed me, doctors read through my 12~pages notes and explained it all to me. It was May 19th 2020 when I came Nassau and on May 20th 2020 was when I was told based on the information provided that I have cancer, it is a colorectal cancer. No it did not hit me when the doctors said it at that point, when they started explaining the things they need for me to do asap and mentioned to me that I will have to do chemotherapy and radiation that I when I broke down and could not have believed what they was saying to methey give me a moment to catch myself and then started telling me a list of stuff they needed me to have done. I did everything they asked of me CT scan MRI scan blood works I had another lower colonoscopy done by them also, and have exsource all of my funds and funds what many friends and family have helped me with along this journey. The cancer has not spread to any of my other organs, but it is a growing cancer as it have grown based on the information provided from January to the testing done after. June 3rd I went into surgery to put in a port, I was told that this surgery would take 30~45mins, but unfortunately doctors were unable to find a blood valve to connect the port so the surgery started 2~30pm and end 5~30pm. God was my keeper at that point, I have already called my sister to picked me up from the hospital for 7pm, when the doctor told my I am unable to leave because after doing a chest xray air got into my lungs, they told me I would have to be admitted, and I know that this team of doctors was doing all they can to make sure I got sorted out. They next day while I was admitted into the hospital I have another minor surgery where doctors had to cut me on my upper side to insert a tube to allow the air to be released over a period of a few days. One evening the tube that was in me was connected to the another tube that lead into a glass bottle, the midway connected tube came loose after I came from the restroom and sat on my bed, I kid you not, MY LIFE FLASHED BEFORE MY EYES I could not have breed I could hear the air going out of the tube that was in me, the lady who was next to me called for the doctor and nurses, they came and connected the tube back and it brought my breeding back to normal, I thank God for those nurses and doctors while I was at PMH. Yes we hear so many stories but for me this was one of the good stories about those doctors and nurse doing my complete time attending PMH. Moving right along I now have to attend the oncology clinic and this is where they next best decision comes in, where I now have to do radiation and chemo first before a surgery can be determined. I was told that the Radiation is $16,800 and the chemo tablets is $325 per week for 5wks. In order for me to start radiation and chemo I have to pay a down payment deposit of $5,000. I had a cookout and was able to make half of the required deposit and worked to bring it up to $3,000. I had an appointment just on the 11th Aug hoping that I can make that $3,000 payment and get started, bit that really is not the case, they require the complete deposit and can put me on a payment plan to finish the balance of the $16,800. Can you my family and friends please help me raise these funds to help me get back to a normal life, the pain is very unbearable, I am living of pills to help keep the pain away. Listen to me, when I said this made me wanted to give up and throw in the towels I truly felt like this is it, am done. But I allowed myself to remain faithful and positive and to continue my trust in God, and I said to the radiologist doctor this is so sad how people with cancer can not get through, and she said yes I understand. And I truly believe government truly have to revisit the help in health care for Bahamians here in the Bahamas. But to my friends and family this is my story and I am glad to have to could share it with you all, and I truly hope that my story inspired someone else who might be going through what I am going through and will not give up because "God Is Able".