Hello, my name is Lori Hogarth; and this is my story..

I met the love of my life, Donnie, in June 1993; and we were married in May 1994. These past 21 years have been like something out of a Fairy Tale book; and I am very hopeful to have many more years with the love of my life!

Unfortunately, my brother Mike was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in 2009, at the young age of 39. Since this is a hereditary disease, the doctors insisted that the entire family be tested- to ensure that none of the family had the disease as well.

Everyone was tested, and all tests came back clear- except for mine. At the age of 37, the doctors found a cancerous polyp.

The doctor removed the cancer; and ordered a CT Scan. The doctor informed me that all tests came back clear; and I was cancer free. I was instructed to return in one year for a follow up check.

I followed the doctors orders, and I returned for a re-check in one year. At that time, all tests came back clear; and the doctors instructed me to return in two years for a follow up check.

Again, I followed the doctors orders, and I returned in two years. After the test, the doctor met with my husband and I, in a private room. We were informed that there was a blockage and surgery would be needed to remove the growth. Also a biopsy was performed, to rule out any cancer.

Two days later, I received a PET Scan; and I met with the surgeon to schedule my surgery. When we met with the surgeon, she already had the results of the biopsy, and PET Scan.

We were absolutely shocked to hear the biopsy was cancerous; and the PET Scan showed that I had Stage IV Colon Cancer! I had cancer in my colon, on the outside of my colon, on my ovary, in my lung, in my lymph nodes, and a lot of cancer in my liver.
She immediately sent me for my pre-op blood work. I was so upset, I could not even hold the pen-I just felt like my body was going to fall to the ground because I was so upset about these results. I just could not believe that in just two years I had so much cancer-I didn't even have any symptoms!
Two days later, I had my surgery to remove twelve inches of my colon; and the next week I had a procedure the have a port placed- so that I could start receiving Chemo the very next day!
Because my brother already had this cancer, I knew the statistics and the survival rates. Stages 0-3 have a much higher survival rate; but stage 4 is a whole new story. I was absolutely torn up by my diagnosis!

Here are the 5 year survival rates:

Stage 1 92%

Stage 2 87%

Stage 3 89%

Stage 4 11%

For the next ten months I received my chemo treatments in my home town; and I continued to feel very strong so that I could fight this cancer! I was very blessed with my side effects- I had very little nausea, weakness, etc.

Unfortunately, in December, my doctor decided to put me on a "maintenance program"-because he wanted to give my body a break from the chemo. I pleaded with him, and told him that I still felt very strong, and I wanted to fight this cancer as aggressively as possible. However, he was steadfast in his plan, and placed me on a "maintenance plan". He told me that we will do another CT Scan in three months; and when the cancer grows we will do something else to treat the cancer. So, I was on this "maintenance plan" for one month.

During this time, on the "maintenance plan", I decided to call Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). CTCA did not accept the health insurance that I currently had; but my health insurance was changing to something CTCA accepted on Jan 1st. I went to CTCA the first week of January 2015 and received a second opinion. My husband and I were so happy with the treatment plan that CTCA offered; they wanted to be aggressive just as I did-and we found out that they treat your entire body with a nutritionist, naturopath, acupuncture, etc! So, we decided to begin treatment with CTCA immediately.

CTCA started my treatment the very next week. CTCA did a CT Scan of their own, before they started treatment on me; and we found that in just that one month, of the "maintenance program", my cancer had grown by 1/3! I could not believe it- if I had stayed in my hometown and continued the "maintenance program" my cancer would have doubled in size before my hometown doctor ordered the next CT Scan!

So, I have continued treatment with CTCA since January 2015; and everything is going great! The new treatment plans have stopped the growth of my cancer. Also, I have recently started a new drug that was recently approved by the FDA, to treat colon cancer-so we are very hopeful for some great results.


Unfortunately, I am experiencing a lot of pain and side effects, from the tumors and chemo; and therefore I am on a lot of medications- and I need a caregiver with me at all times.
CTCA covers the fee for all of my flights; and in the beginning of my treatment with CTCA I was able to receive financial aid to cover my caregivers flights.

Unfortunately, some things have changed; and CTCA is no longer able to cover my caregivers flights.

I have contacted all of my resources, such as Angel Flights, but since my treatments are not on a set schedule, we cannot inform Angel Flights so far ahead of schedule as needed by them. Also, if we try to purchase a flight, we are forced to purchase last minute flights at the higher price.

I have to come for my treatments every other week; and this ends up costing us approximately $1,000.00 per month- which we absolutely cannot afford.

Donnie and I are pleading with anyone that may be willing to help us financially.

I have two choices-stay in my hometown for treatment (and let the cancer grow and basically kill me), or come to CTCA for my treatments and continue to stop the growth and maybe shrink it to the point to where I can have surgery to remove the cancer.

Please, anyone, will you help us?

Sincerely,

Lori Hogarth