#DensonSTRONG ❤ Rally for Eric Denson

As many of you know, Eric had been battling a cold at the beginning of the year and wasn't getting better. His doctor thought he had laryngitis because his voice was hoarse, raspy and virtually non-existent. Eric wasn't able to work during this time because his job is selling/ talking to people! After awhile, he still wasn't improving so they sent him to see an ENT. They scoped his throat and found a small growth on his left vocal cord. This was very scary for Eric and his family; they were terrified of what the future might hold, but ready to engage in what could possibly be a fight for his life. A few days later, he had to get a CT, PET scan, and then a biopsy surgery to determine if it was cancerous or not. About a week later, Eric got the results - they showed that he has cancer in his vocal cord and two lymph nodes. The good news is the PET scan confirmed that it is localized to that specific area and is very treatable. It also confirmed that no other area in his entire body had any malignant cells. The doctors assured him that because they caught this early enough, his survival rate is EXTREMELY high. They presented him with two different options, both having equal cure rates: he can go through chemo and radiation or have his voicebox and two lymph nodes removed. If his voicebox is removed, he would never be able to speak again. On the other hand, they don’t know how much damage the tumor actually did to his vocal cord, so there’s a chance he would still be unable to speak normally after the chemo is done. After a visit to the oncologist, he was feeling very optimistic and decided to go the chemo/radiation route. They explained that once the radiation is done and the tumor has shrunk, his voice will start to return. It may not ever go back to 100% but at least he'll be able to speak again. They made plans to start treatment. On 4/20 Eric went to the hospital and got his iv port and feeding tube catheter put in. After that he had his first round of radiation and the next day, his first round of chemo. So far he wasn't feeling any adverse effects, no nausea or fatigue. Eric, Theresa and the family celebrated one week down! It was a small victory, but a big win... "one day at a time". The next day Eric woke up in horrible pain. After a few hours of trying to ride it out, they took him to the hospital and he was admitted. Somehow, his feeding tube came out of his stomach and every time they flushed it, water went into his abdomen. His white blood cell count was also on the higher side so they treated him with antibiotics. The doctors said that he would have to get the feeding tube replaced while he’s there too. No one knew how long that might be. Eric's wife, Theresa, and their seven children were scared. On top of everything already going on, this was all happening during a pandemic - Eric had to fight this battle alone. Theresa wanted so bad to be there for him. She HATED that he had to do this on his own when she should be right there next to him, holding his hand and just BEING there. She HATED everything about this and just wanted... needed him to be ok!! "We are #Densonstrong and we will get through this, one moment at a time." They took him for emergency surgery later that night to address the infection and to replace the G-tube. They had to make a 6-7" incision in his stomach to clean it out and then put the new tube in. He then took a long 13 day journey in the hospital, fighting through a ventilator, being sedated for days, having to get a trach, try to talk, stomach stapled ALL BY HIMSELF. This was the longest he had been apart from Theresa and the kids in over 24 years. But their voices carried him through, and he persevered and was finally discharged from the hospital. The next day, he was back on track to get chemo and radiation. He is now starting to move around much better, getting stronger day by day. He is eating on his own, although his taste is diminishing. Eric had a followup with ENT, they said his voicebox is looking great and they removed the trach. He has to hold his hand over the hole to talk, but that should heal over the next couple weeks. Eric has worked for T-Mobile for over 13 years. I have known him for about 10. I set up this fundraiser so that his T-Mobile family and all his other friends and family could have a place to pull together and rally to support Eric and his family during this difficult time in their lives. They have been through so much already and will be faced with many other challenges in the future; physically, mentally and financially. We are ALL going through a difficult time in our lives right now due to the uncertainty and despair of the pandemic, but if you are able to donate and help support Eric and his family, please do! Please also leave messages of love and friendship here. Continue to pray and impart good vibes. You have the power to make a difference in their lives. Every bit of kindness matters more than know. ❤ God bless!