Eldwin's Fight Against Stage 4 Colon Cancer

Hello friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

I hope this message finds you well. It is with a deep sense of urgency that I reach out to you today. My adoring husband, Eldwin, who has been courageously battling stage 4 colon cancer for the past three years. This unexpected journey has brought both emotional and financial challenges to our doorstep.

Eldwin is not just a spouse but the beating heart of our family. He is a loving father & newly named grandfather, a devoted partner, and a friend to many. Eldwin has always been there for others, offering support, kindness, and a helping hand whenever it was needed. Now, he is facing the biggest challenge of his life.

Eldwin has faced this challenging journey with unwavering strength, resilience, and a positive spirit that inspires everyone around him. In February 2021, the mass that was supposed to be laparoscopically removed, proved to be much larger than anticipated, and he had to be opened up and it was removed and biopsied. Several inches from both his colon and stomach were removed and he’d have to be put on chemo to get what they couldn’t remove. He was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and started chemo in March 2021.

While the world battled a pandemic, we battled his cancer. I couldn’t sit by his side through his chemo due to pandemic restrictions, so instead I sat and taught my kindergarten class remotely from right below his window to lend support. His first journey was for 6 months. Since all his numbers looked good, his oncologist suggested taking a month off the chemo itself for a few months while still monitoring.

In May 2022, after one of his tests, there were particle detected in his stomach which drastically multiplied within a month’s time without the chemo. Eldwin then had to have a second surgery. The surgeon took out as much of the cancer as they could without leaving his stomach exposed but he still has quite a few cancer cells still roaming around his stomach. He’s been on chemo for 6 months and then antibodies for three months and back on chemo since then, almost 3 years now.

The results of his last PET scan, this February 2024, detected a 1cm lymph node in front of his heart and another 1.3cm in his liver; that’s 2 additional cancer cells that have developed in these past few months with the low dose of chemo he was getting. Both are active and not causing any additional damage to heart or liver. The other cancer cells in his abdomen are still active but not grown standing still at 3cm.

Unfortunately, instead of getting a small break at this time, they are going to go back to the stronger chemo to combat the 2 new friends.

Although you could never tell by looking at him, the chemo has taken a toll on him physically and emotionally. Because of this disease, he’s been unable to go back to work.

Despite enduring numerous rounds of chemotherapy, surgeries, and countless medical appointments, his determination to overcome this disease remains unbroken. Throughout it all, he continues to be a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to those who know him.

However, as the medical bills and associated costs continue to mount, we find ourselves facing an overwhelming financial burden. The emotional toll of Eldwin's illness is compounded by the strain on our finances, and we are reaching out to our community for support.

Your generous contributions will help cover the mounting medical expenses, essential medications, and various treatments that are vital to Eldwin's ongoing fight against this relentless disease. In addition to the financial assistance, your support will provide much-needed relief to our family during this challenging time.

We understand that times are tough for many, and any amount you can contribute, no matter how small, will make a meaningful impact on Eldwin's journey toward recovery. Your prayers, positive thoughts, and words of encouragement are also invaluable to us and greatly appreciated.

Please consider sharing this GoFundMe campaign with your network, as your outreach can make a significant difference in Eldwin's battle against cancer. Together, we can rally around him, offering the support and resources he needs to continue his fight with hope and dignity.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your kindness, generosity, and compassion during this difficult time. Your support means the world to us and contributes to the brighter future we hope to build together.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Doris Betances