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Mike & Linda's great adventure

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Five years ago, I met an amazing person while dancing.  Mike asked me out for brunch and we spent the entire day getting to know each other.  For the next 2 years we danced, rode bikes, cooked together and went on some small adventures.  We quickly fell in love and were married on June 3, 2017.  I waited 50 years to find the person I hoped to grow old with and we dreamed of our future together.   During our first year of marriage, Mike worked away from home a good bit.  During the second year his job took us to China which was a great adventure for both of us, but we didn’t get to spend much time together.  Then on Thanksgiving Day 2019, our world was shattered.  While still in China Mike was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, finding tumors in his pancreas, liver and spleen.  The doctors said without treatment, the average life span after diagnosis was 2-6 months.   With treatment, they hope to give us 1-2 years together.  Any form of cancer is terrible, but this one is especially difficult, it is very aggressive, there is no remission and there is no cure.  

Mike started Chemotherapy in January 2020, and was hospitalized 8 times due to complications over the next 4 months.   The chemo therapy has some terrible side effects, and he is in constant and often severe pain.  At diagnosis, his tumor marker levels were at 350,000 when the normal is below 50.  Last month his levels were 1900.  The doctors said they couldn’t be more pleased with the treatment progress, but he can only stop the chemotherapy when it is no longer effective.  He is doing fairly well now, but we know our time together is limited.  I recently asked him if he had anything on his bucket list that he would like to do, and he said yes.  He has always dreamed of visiting some of our national parks, like Zion National park, the Grand Canyon or the giant Sequoias.  He has worked so hard in life and has taken care of his family, friends and co-workers.  I am trying to do everything I can to make his dream come true, but it is a big challenge during these difficult times.  Not only is cancer difficult physically and emotionally, but also financially.  I also need to be extremely cautious of the Corona Virus and do not want to be irresponsible with our health.  The best plan I have come up with so far is to purchase or rent a small camper to travel in.  This will limit our exposure and give us a way to stop when needed to allow Mike to rest.  

In order to make this a reality, I’m asking for your help.  If all you can give is well wishes, prayers or ideas, we will be thankful.  If you have some pocket change that you can donate to help us along the way, I will be eternally grateful.  Each day is a blessing for us and we keep meeting wonderful people that have made this life journey a little bit easier.  I appreciate all that God has done for us and I have great hopes that he gives us one more great adventure together.   Thank you in advance!  

Sincerely, 

Linda Harris Mallabone
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Donations 

  • Mitchell Shaw
    • $1,500
    • 4 yrs
  • Autumn Mastroianni
    • $200
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $100
    • 5 yrs
  • Sharron Stowers
    • $100
    • 5 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $250
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

John Kelso
Organizer
Blacksburg, VA
Linda Mallabone
Beneficiary

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