My name is Doanie Frederick, and I have been dealing with Stage 4 colon cancer for the last 3 years. It's been an adventure, sometimes very hard but with more blessings than I could have ever imagined. But it looks like I am nearing the end of this journey.

I've already significantly lived past the original expectations, but at this point, we're running low on treatment options, and it's time to start focusing on what is most important to have happen in the next 6-12 months and not assume I have longer than that (Although I may! This last treatment might work out great. But at this point, it's not looking very likely.)

I need to start planning how to wrap up the rest of my life well. Last week, I made a GoFundMe for our family to go on a Disney cruise, fulfilling a promise we made to our daughters 14 years ago and helping us make memories together that the girls can hold on to for the rest of their lives. The response was more than I could ever have imagined. In 24 hours, almost double what we asked for came in. The extra allowed for easier travel days for me, a room with a balcony so I can still enjoy fresh air even when I need to be resting, and some fun shore excursions for the girls.

And since we had far surpassed the goal, I paused the fundraiser. I am so thankful, but I never want to be greedy!

Then I started getting messages asking me to reopen it. People who still wanted to give but couldn't because it was closed. I'm not comfortable reopening the Disney cruise one, because I was very specific about exactly what the money would be used for. Bait and switch isn't cool. But I'm still getting texts.

So as a compromise, I'm starting a new one. I have been assured that the next several months are going to be expensive. Medical costs, Duane losing work hours to take care of me at the very end, funeral costs, and I don't even know what else. So, if you would like to donate towards those costs, we would be ever so grateful! It's not as fun as a Disney cruise, but anything that helps take the pressure off my family gives us more time to focus on each other and just be together.