My name is Sandi Vogt, and my husband’s name is Markus Vogt.
We were both working hard and building a great life together until 1 month ago. After Markus started having some weight loss and fatigue issues that we had chalked up to the long hours he was working and thinking things would slow down soon, he made a visit to his family doctor. Our world came crashing down around us when Markus was diagnosed with Stage 2B Pancreatic Cancer. From that day on, things started happening very fast. Now 1 month later, he has had 4 procedures and 2 surgeries before they are even able to start his chemotherapy.
Our story began 11+ years ago and a half a world apart. We became friends on a game that we both played on Facebook - Pirates Rule The Caribbean. We had a lot in common and talked often via chat and then eventually on the phone. When we both finally realized there might be something there besides friendship, we decided to plan a visit. Since he had travelled all over the world and had a passport, he came here to the US from his home country of Finland. We hit it off immediately and became inseparable. He decided to stay and make the US his home. He is very proud of the fact that he legally became a US citizen, works tirelessly to be a great provider and still embraces his Finnish heritage while loving his new Country. He asked my Dad for permission to marry me and then asked me. Many of you know him by his Facebook name of Von Hellman, his family and friends in Finland know him by his Markus and people here where we live in Indiana and where he works at Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Indiana know him as Markus Vogt. He has worked very hard since day 1 and is always willing to help others and give when he is able. The Finnish have a word that is theirs alone - Sisu. Sisu is a Finnish concept described as stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness and is held by Finns themselves to express their national character. This is Markus. His easy going and giving personality is also part of what makes him so
special. He is a chef beyond description! He enjoys fishing, travelling, riding his motorcycle, playing chess and gardening. We really enjoy our beautiful floral haven for birds, butterflies, and bees in our yards that he has created.
Since we have no family here in Indiana, I am his sole caregiver and it's just him and I to tackle this. I am no longer working so we have lost my income completely and he is on short term disability that pays 65% of his normal salary. Our household monthly expenses are around $3,800 a month. During the 6 month treatment plan, we will lose an estimated $18,000 in wages. It is not easy to ask for help, but now is not the time for pride or embarrassment. We have exhausted our entire savings already with the co-pays and deductibles. We will have many more of these over the next 6 months and that is if everything goes as planned and nothing else arises.
His treatment plan is aggressive and will be extremely hard on him. He will have 3 months of chemotherapy, every 2weeks, then more scans to see if the tumor has shrunk and that the cancer has not gone farther into more lymph nodes. If we beat this first hurdle, then he will have surgery to remove the tumor and infected lymph nodes. He is looking at a 6 to 8 week recovery from this surgery and then another 3 months of chemotherapy every two weeks.
We can't and won't let our story end here. Please donate if you can. Anything will help. Please share this as much as possible. We appreciate each and every person that gives and shares to help us get through this very hard time. I will post updates as things move forward and we know if the treatment is working or if we need to change the method of treatment.
Thank you all and God Bless.
Markus and Sandi