This is just the beginning of our world turning upside down.Hi my name is Ronda Shifflett. My brother Robert Smith has been going through a lot of different medical financial struggles since October 3, 2024 from having surgery of Cancer in his lymph nodes to, going through Chemo, Radiation, Ulcers in his mouth and throat was so sore he couldn't eat or drink because of his mouth was so dry and sore and dehydrated and being in and out off the hospital. This last trip in the hospital has really been hard on both my brother Robert Smith and my sister-in-law Cheryl Smith. Cheryl brought him to the hospital because of dehydrated, running a fever of 102.8, very weak on February 13, 2025. His platelets and white blood cells was dangerously low, so the dr.s wanted to give him some platelets. It caused an allergic reaction that caused him to stop breathing, had to be put on the ventilator, closely monitored in Critical Care. His platelets was so low that we had to make a choice of him having bleeding in his brain and dying or getting more platelets. Cheryl, his 2 sons Michael, Brandon and myself (his sister) was scared to death, but his 2 sons said we had to bite the bullet and pray because we didnt want to lose him so we decided to let them do the platelets. With a lot of assurance from the oncologist and Critical Care dr that he would be closely watched because they had us leave the room in case the same thing happened that caused him to get in Critical Care. We had to trust them. The nurse Natalie kept her word and stayed in touch with us. They had to give him a cocktail of allergic reaction medicine and Prednisone to help with the reaction of the Platelets. Thank God above he was able to get the Platelets. Later on they had to give him more Platelets with the same precautions. Thank God above he was able to come off of the ventilator the next day and eventually moved to another room. Right now he's still in the hospital with his Platelets and white blood cells fluctuating back in forth he's getting closer to being able to go home. He still needs to stay home and away from people until his immune system comes back up. Were still not out of the woods. We still have a lot of dr appointments and Pet Scan to see if he's cancer free. We have a great support group for prayers and to make sure we're ok. God and all of outer supporters got us through this. Bobby showed how strong of a fighter he is. He's always been a strong caring person that always wants to take care of everyone else. Now we're asking for help for Robert. Thank each person that took the time to read his story and help my brother and sister-in-law out. These 2 people have helped so many now I'm asking for help for these 2. I appreciate anything that anyone can give. If there's anything funds left over my brother will donate it back to the Cancer Research. We thought the fight was over. My brother stayed so strong through all of that. Now we're back at Sentara Cancer Center just to send him to UVA again to see the brain Cancer Dr to do surgery to get the tumor and fluid out of his brain. Most of the team met with us today to let us know that the tumor is 5 cm and fluid is around it causing it to push his brain over and up against his main blood vessels. Its a serious surgery. Its also going to be an 8 hrs or longer surgery. He'll be in Critical Care for a day or so and if hes doing ok then they will down grade to PCU. Were back on a long road ahead of us. He can have some Neurology problems from this. We wont know that until he has the surgery on Tuesday July 15th. Our prayer chain and support got us through the lymph nodes. I know all of you are still with us to help us fight this long road and expense again. We can't ever thank all of you for everything. We will try to keep everyone posted. We ask for everyone's prayers thats reading this Please. Cancer is a scary word and has affected so many people and their families. Thank everyone again! ❤️