Michael Herron's Fight Against Cancer

Like many families, we thought Covid-19 would be the biggest challenge of 2020. Then, we found out my 56 year old husband had Stage IV Cancer. "Poorly Differentiated High Grade Small Cell Neuroendocrine Cancer of the Rectum". This type of Cancer is extremely rare and very aggressive. Less than 1-2% of rectal Cancers present as this type. By the time Michael was finally diagnosed at the end of July, the Cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and Liver. Our options? Do nothing and Michael would likely die within 2 months. With radiation and Chemotherapy, Michael would have a chance of surviving a year, God willing.

Michael began having health issues at the beginning of March. Because of Covid-19, his doctors were mainly conducting phone/video appointments. Based on the  symptoms he had to provide over the phone, they began treating him for hemorrhoids. Over the next 3 months, Michael contacted his doctors several times explaining the severity of his symptoms and excruciating pain. He explained that he couldn't sit. Going up stairs was almost impossible and even walking wasn't much easier. Michael wasn't able to sleep through the night due to the pain. He was taking large amounts of Ibuprofen, which barely took the edge off. His job as a Building Inspector means a lot of driving (both in and out of town), walking, climbing ladders, stairs, etc. He was in so much pain, that many days he was forced to leave work early or could not go in at all. He also began losing weight. Desperate to actually be seen by a doctor, Michael went to Urgent Care in June.

The doctor at Urgent Care performed an exam. This resulted in unbearable pain. Michael was screaming in pain and shaking. Her diagnosis was a hemorrhoid and an "anal fissure". She prescribed Ibuprofen, suppositories and told him to keep using the same ointment he had been using for months. She told him to follow up with a surgeon if his symptoms did not improve. They didn't. He became even sicker. Michael scheduled the appointment with the surgeon. This appointment led to more "wait and see", based mainly on the diagnosis from Urgent Care. Michael was told to follow up again if there was no improvement in the next couple of weeks.  His health continued to deteriorate and he made another appointment with the surgeon. This unrelenting pain had been going on for over four months. The surgeon attempted to perform an exam. Due to the pain that it was causing, he was forced to discontinue the exam. The surgeon was able to feel a "palpable nodule". He said Michael needed surgery to determine what it was . The surgeon was going out on leave, so he said he would ask his colleague to put Michael on her surgical schedule ASAP.  Six days later, we were at the hospital for Michael's surgery and praying we would finally have answers.

The doctor came out to speak to me when Michael was out of surgery. She asked to speak to me privately in a small conference room. I had a sinking feeling this was not a positive sign. I could see the concern on her face. We sat down, and she explained that she was extremely worried that Michael had Cancer. The "nodule" was actually a 5cm tumor that was wrapped around the rectum, with an "ulcer" in the center of it. She wasn't able to remove the tumor, but took biopsies and would ask that the results be "rushed". I was in a complete state of shock. An initial diagnosis of hemorrhoids, had turned in to a Cancer diagnosis. The surgeon said if the biopsy turned out to be an Adenocarcinoma (a "common" form of colorectal Cancer), Michael would likely need major surgery, resulting in a colostomy followed by Chemotherapy. She said she would call us the next day with the biopsy results. We barely slept that night. The surgeon called the next day with the biopsy results. Michael did have Cancer. Not Adenocarcinoma, but this extremely rare "Poorly Differentiated High Grade Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma".  Appointments with Oncologists were made, along with PET Scans, MRI's and blood work.

It wasn't until the appointment with Michael's Oncologists several days later, that we found out his Cancer had spread. Stage IV.  The Cancer was also in his lymph nodes, with "at least ten metastatic lesions" in his Liver. Surgery was not an option. I will never forget the look on Michael's face as he asked the doctors how long he had to live. My heart was broken and our world was instantly shattered. Radiation was scheduled immediately, with Chemo following in two weeks. Michael will have Chemo 3 days in a row, every 21 days. He is scheduled to have a PET Scan before his 4th Chemo cycle in November. This will tell us how the Cancer is responding to the treatments.

Michael is no longer able to work due to the side effects of the Chemo, the multiple pain meds he takes daily and the pain of the tumors. He has worked since he was 12 years old. Being unable to work and provide for his family is crushing him. Michael is the most generous man with the biggest heart. He is a father of four grown children, an amazing "Bonus Dad" to my three daughters (my oldest joined the Army in August and our two younger girls are in 7th grade and 12th grade), proud grandfather of many adorable kiddos and the most patient and loving husband. While I do work full time, Michael is the primary source of our family's income. My good friend and coworker, Sherry Vitale, has graciously offered to organize this Go Fund Me page for our family. Donations will assist our family with basic living expenses, as well as out of pocket expenses for Michael's treatments, medications, possible Immunotherapy and anything that he may need in his fight against this horrible disease.

Our family appreciates everyone's love, encouragement, positive thoughts and prayers. We ask that you all be an advocate for your health. If something doesn't seem right, get it checked out. ASAP. Get 2nd and 3rd opinions, if necessary. You know your body best. Colorectal Cancer is on the rise, with younger and younger people being diagnosed every year. PLEASE-get your Colonoscopy. We have had so many people tell us that they have scheduled their Colonoscopy because of Michael. That makes what we are going through a little easier to handle.  We believe something good WILL come out of this. We know Michael is up against a big challenge. But, we also know our God is bigger and that He will guide our family as we navigate this journey. We will give updates on this page as often as we can. 

With Love and Gratitude,

The Herron Family