On November 24th, after a routine colonoscopy, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 colon cancer, a 4cm cancer mass located on my top right quadrant. Through numerous doctor visits, I was informed that I would have to have 5” of my colon removed to be cured of cancer and the two ends cut would be reattached.

Scheduled for January 29th, we made our way to the hospital, checked in, and shortly we were escorted to my pre-op room. The procedure went as scheduled, therapy and other things were on schedule. The catheter was removed on Friday and now I was walking to the restroom.

Saturday I developed a small fever and my heart was steady around the 140 range. Then Sunday came, pain on the lower right side started to escalate. Not only in pain but raised to the upper right side. It became very sensitive to the touch and very difficult to stand up straight.

So on Monday, I had another CT scan at 7 pm….the doctor popped up at 9 pm and then I was in surgery by 10 pm. After recovery, I was back in my room by 3 am. It was determined that there was a small leak in the small intestines on my lower right side. The leak was found and sealed. But this time, a stoma was installed, temporarily. In a few weeks, I’ll have to return to surgery to have it removed. But for now; no more fever, heart range around 60 beats per minute.

Now, we repeat the process; small steps, pass gas, eat ice chips, clear liquids via I/V, soup, remove catheter, soft foods, bowels working on the regular and then take it easy at home for about 3 weeks but with the 2nd surgery, now 4-6 weeks.

And I only have 3 weeks of PTO and I was really pushing to have this surgery at the end of last year because I was only $400 away from my deductible. New year, the deductible reset.

I am fundraising to cover the medical expenses and the additional time off work required for my recovery.