Stage 4 Cancer Fight

My name is Jeremy Small and I am 43 years old.  I have lived a healthy life and in the past 5 years, I had been competing in national fitness competitions.  Starting in July of 2017. I thought I had a serious ulcer, for months I had been dealing with severe stomach pain.  I changed my diet, didn't drink or smoke and focused on eating healthy.  Nothing helped.  I was in pain and I started to experience other symptoms.  It was January 24th, 2018 that I was officially diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon/Liver Cancer.  I have to admit, at first, I was like "I got this!"  Those of you that know me, know that I am used to fighting.  I have been in a number of fights, including cage fighting, bar fighting, and even fighting for lives and fighting fires as a Fire Fighter in Slocomb, AL.  I had fought to support my family through the toughest of times including the death of my beautiful step daughter Nikki at the young age of 19.  My wife and I survive and we fight through everything to to make our way in this life.  So at the time of my diagnoses, I just figured, OK, one more battle, "I got this!!!, truly I am a fighter!"

This February 2018, I had a port inserted into my chest for chemotherapy.  I was out of work and not happy about it.  Not because of my illness, but because my work said it was to dangerous to work with the chemo port.  So I completed 672 hours of 5fu and 28 rounds of Radiation over the course of 5 weeks and I returned to work full time.  I was sure that the Chemo and Radiation had shrank my tumor enough to have it surgically removed and I was actually scheduled for surgery June 1st, 2018.  Unfortunately, there were a number of complications, including insurance issues.  Surgery was no longer an option and my option included getting back on Chemo Xeloda at 3300 mg a day along with Avastin and Oxyplatition.  Yes, back out of work again and fighting for my life as I have now lost about 50 lbs.  The fighting is getting tougher by the day.  It's not the side effects, or the daily grind of chemo treatments, the real pain comes from watching my wife Shayne work every second she can to support us.  When she is not working at her job, she is working to take care of me.  She is my life line and support and is fighting every day just as hard or harder than I am but now the fight is financial.  I was recently told they will hold my job and at the same time, they let me know my short term benefits are now expired.   Although I have been applying to get on disability, it will be months before it kicks in and provides a dime of financial support. 

I am now fighting with the fact that I am opening a GoFundMe account and asking for support.  It is one thing to be sick and fight the cancer battle, but it is another to watch my wife fighting the battle financially.

I'm asking for any financial support, nothing is too small even if you just share my story.  I will be forever grateful for any donation given.  

God Bless and thank you for your support!
Jeremy Small