Shane & Paige's Cancer Fund

In countless ways, Paige and I are more richly blessed than anyone could hope for..

At a time in our lives when Paige and I have desperately needed support, we have received it in every possible way.  From the both of us, we will be forever grateful!

For anyone who may not know, I was recently diagnosed with advanced metastatic melanoma.  In early June, I underwent surgery to remove four melanoma tumors found in lymph nodes on the left side of my neck and under my left arm.  Following two surgeries I began my first round of chemotherapy along with 36 treatments of radiation.  The past few months have been challenging in many ways, but God's love has been revealed to us around every unknown corner.

Back in January, just after Paige and I were married, I began working full time on the flight line at Maxwell Air Force base. Over the course of the summer I have continued to be paid despite being unable to work full time while undergoing cancer treatments.  It has allowed us to pay bills at home, along with a portion of the medical costs of treatment.  Recently, we were informed that my orders would no longer be extended, and my pay would no longer continue.  Currently, due to my medical condition, a World Wide Duty Determination is being made to decide wether or not I will even be allowed to complete my enlistment in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.  A medical discharge could possibly remove me from the Air Force permanently.  It has also been determined that the military will not be held responsible for any medical costs throughout treatments, which has left me and Paige in quite a bind.  Personal insurance has covered the majority of my treatment costs, but out of pocket expenses have added up and will continue to do so over the next several months.  

On October 10th, the first of four chemotherapy infusions is scheduled, which are all extremely expensive.  With the infusions three weeks apart, we are looking towards at least three months before I will be able to go back to work, which will also make it tough to handle bills at home. Due to recent developments, this start date may be backed up slightly because of two additional growths of metastatic disease, one possible lymph node, and a quarter size mass found in my small intestines that will likely require surgery.  Exact decisions have yet to be made, but our fight against this cancer is far from over. 

Paige and I have decided to set up this web page simply because we now need assistance to make it through the next few months, and to hopefully receive support towards the increasing medical bills.  We have decided against setting a specific goal amount because we don't know an exact overall cost of treatments, and also don't expect any specific amount of help.   But we are sincerely grateful for any amount given.  Money raised will be used only towards the expenses of cancer treatment and bills at home to help bridge the gap until I can return to work.  

Our constant prayer is for God's will to be done in all things, and He is where our faith will remain throughout the rest of this process.  In all that Paige and I have been faced with over the last few months, creating this web page has been one of the most humbling of our experiences.  But we truly need help.  

We will never be able to thank you all enough for loving us like you do.  Each of you are why we consider ourselves more richly blessed than anyone could hope for.  This quote was written in an encouraging card sent to us over the summer, and I wanted to share it with you in case you need a little encouragement as well.

"God is God.  He knows what he is doing.  When you can't trace his hand, trust his heart."

- Max Lucado-

In His Hands...