This was not how I planned to spend my golden years. January 2024, I retired from my job on the help desk in hopes of concentrating on my art and completing my sixth novel. February of 2024, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal. It was a return of the cancer I beat five years ago, but it metastasized to my lung and spleen along with its reappearance in the mass of scar tissue in my pelvic region. We attacked it with chemo and radiation again and followed up with surgery. The surgeon spent four hours combing through the fleshy thicket where multiple tumors hid in my gut. He also removed my spleen. You don't really need one except for a few specialized vaccinations. Four hours after surgery the stress on my body caused a Widowmaker heart attack.

Good thing I was in a hospital. My new cardiologist inserted three stents and set me up to return home after a lengthy stay in the ISU. I had some new scars, a few horror stories, and a handful of new specialists to handle my symptoms.

There were a few bills from the first bout that were still getting paid down. Some of the current bills got handled, but a lot more weren't. Through normal expenses and helping my family with some financial disasters, the 401K got depleted, credit cards maxed out, savings accounts were emptied. A small steady Social Security income comes into handle normal necessities, but the constant juggling of creditors and accounts in an unsure economy is taking its toll.

If folks could spare a few bucks to help me get back on my feet, it would mean the world. Getting the bills off my back would let me return to my writing ( WIP "Dead People's Houses") and art and put me in a position to make a few more rescue missions in my golden years.

UPDATE: The Stage 4 Cancer has returned with a vengeance. On top of the old bills, we are paying upfront for the new scans and chemo treatments. The money seems to be going out faster than it comes in. Any help in spreading the word would be appreciated. Thanx.