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<div>In August 2025, our world turned upside down when a trip to the ER for my husband, Aaron, turned into something far more serious. After several tests, doctors discovered a large mass on his colon. A colonoscopy soon confirmed the devastating news: Aaron had colon cancer.
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<div>Aaron was referred to a colorectal surgeon at UT Southwestern in Dallas. In September, he underwent surgery to remove his sigmoid colon along with a softball-sized tumor. The pathology report confirmed Stage 3 colon cancer.
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<div>After recovering from surgery, we met with Aaron’s oncologist and were presented with the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial for colon cancer. We decided to move forward with it. As part of the trial, Aaron had a ctDNA test that detects cancer cells in the bloodstream. His results came back positive, which meant he was placed in the group receiving a more aggressive chemotherapy treatment: six months of FOLFIRINOX.
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<div>At the end of November, Aaron had a chemotherapy port placed, and on December 3rd he received his first infusion at the cancer center in Dallas. Three of the four chemotherapy drugs were given there, and he went home connected to a 46-hour pump delivering the fourth drug, 5-FU. After the pump was removed, he had officially completed his first round of chemotherapy.
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<div>Just a few days later, Aaron began feeling very sick. He developed a large rash around his chemo port, and his oncologist instructed us to go to the ER. While waiting in the lobby for a room, Aaron suddenly passed out and was rushed back immediately. Tests revealed he had a serious MRSA infection. He was admitted to the hospital and started on strong IV antibiotics right away.
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<div>Because of the infection, Aaron’s chemo port had to be removed. He spent eight days in the hospital, and before being discharged he had a PICC line placed in his arm so he could continue daily IV antibiotics at home. For four weeks, I administered his IV antibiotics myself. Home health nurses came twice a week to monitor his wound and change his PICC line dressings, while we also attended multiple weekly appointments with wound care and infectious disease specialists. During this time, Aaron continued chemotherapy through the PICC line.
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<div>After four weeks of daily IV antibiotics, Aaron was finally able to have a new chemo port placed and the PICC line removed. Things started to stabilize for a while. But by the end of January, it was time for new scans. Aaron’s CT scan showed a lesion on his liver, and an MRI soon revealed there were actually seven lesions.
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<div>We met again with his oncologist, who referred Aaron to a liver surgeon. Aaron became a candidate for an HAI pump, which delivers chemotherapy directly to the liver. During surgery, the surgeon placed the pump and attempted to remove and treat the seven lesions. However, during the procedure they discovered there were actually fifteen lesions. The surgeon removed or treated all visible lesions but emphasized that the HAI pump would be critical moving forward in case more lesions remain.
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<div>The pathology report confirmed that Aaron’s cancer had progressed to Stage 4 colon cancer with metastasis to the liver. However, we also received encouraging news: the chemotherapy had been working, as the lesions were only about 50% viable. Even more encouraging, Aaron’s ctDNA test showed almost no detectable cancer cells in his bloodstream.
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<div>Aaron has been recovering at home since surgery and is scheduled to begin chemotherapy through his HAI pump on March 24th using a drug called FUDR. He will receive this treatment every two weeks for three months. On April 9th, he will also resume systemic chemotherapy, though it will now be FOLFOX, which removes the drug irinotecan.
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<div>Over the past seven months, Aaron has been unable to work due to surgeries, infections, hospitalizations, and chemotherapy. This has been incredibly difficult for our family, and there have been times when we’ve struggled just to keep food on the table.
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<div>Any donations will go toward the many expenses that come with Aaron’s cancer battle, including travel costs for frequent trips to Dallas (often two to three times a week), medical bills from multiple surgeries, infection-related supplies, home health costs, and everyday living expenses while Aaron is unable to work. I have been working to get Aaron approved for disability, but the process has been very slow.
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<div>We truly appreciate every prayer, share, and donation—no matter how big or small. Your support means more to our family than words can express as we continue fighting this battle together.
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Ashley Flores

Jana Robison

Abe Partington

Cindy Turley

Emily Galloway

Shawna Gurka

Anonymous

Janet Murphy

Help Aaron Fight Stage 4 Colon Cancer & Liver Metastases

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Help Aaron Fight Stage 4 Colon Cancer & Liver Metastases

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