Hi, my name is Ken Martin and many of you know me as Kenny. I have Stage IV, non-small cell cancer in my right lung. I've been sick with this for almost 2 years and diagnosed with it 11 months ago.

I've been taking chemo since diagnosed. I was in the hospital with pneumonia back in June and July for 4 weeks, of which 3 weeks were on life support. They thought I was going at that time, but I pulled through and am back on chemo. I've gone through my savings pretty quickly. It's easy to do when you own your own home. With house payments, insurance, and property taxes, the money goes quickly when all I have coming in now is a very small SSI check. Then, of course, you have your surprise breakdowns. My furnace went out, but I paid to have it fixed. But it gets better. I now have a gas leak under my house that has to be repaired before they'll turn my heat on. I've been heating with electric these last few cold days. That will make for a huge electric bill this month. With all my other expenses, I don't know when I'll have the money for my gas leak repair. Also, because they are having mixed results with chemo, they want me to stop chemo and start radiation treatments next week. This means a trip to Owensboro every day, adding another new expense. I usually don't ask for help, but I'm going to this time. We are not sure of the outcome that will be, but my doctor is focusing on remission for now. The mental stress is starting to wear on me, and I hate that I have to worry about finances too.

If anyone can help, please do what you can. Thank you. God bless you all.

Ken Martin