I created this page because of so many wonderful people reaching out to us about how they can help. This can help us pay the medical bills that will add up quickly and missing days of work that Rich will have to take FMLA for to care for our daughter that I still home-school, and for me during my cancer treatments.

I guess you can say my journey started on February 27, 2024, when I woke up from my first colonoscopy. The doctor told me they found a "large mass" in my rectum. I didn't process it immediately....I was still loopy from the procedure.

The first 6 days were agonizing waiting for the pathology report. On March 4, 2024, I received the news that no one ever wants to hear; you have squamous cell carcinoma rectal cancer. Since then I've done lots of research, spoke with many medical professionals in and out of the cancer field, trying to learn as much as I can.

On March 7th, 2024, I got my PET scan to see where all it may have traveled. The anticipation of wanting to know the findings brings a considerable amount of anxiety. Did I mention the depression part of things? That's very real too. I always thought of myself as a strong woman, but cancer can break you. Cancer lets you know that you are NOT in control.

I met with the surgeon on March 11, 2024 and the chemo oncologist March 12, 2024. The chemo oncologist explained my PET scan in greater detail and how this type of cancer gets treated. I'll have to go through several weeks of radiation therapy every day, Monday-Friday, as well as chemotherapy. I get to see my radiation oncologist March 25, 2024 for the first time, and I get my chemo port surgically implanted on March 26, 2024. I will become very close friends with many of the employees at the Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel, IN. After my radiation and chemo therapy is completed, I will go back to the surgeon. Our hope is to kill the cancer cells and shrink the tumor/mass. Surgery is a last resort, but may be very necessary.

I am a woman of God. I believe that through him anything is possible. Prayers are my greatest gift at this time. I asked God to walk with me through this journey; to hold my hand and help me not feel so hopeless and alone. I know I'm not alone, but depression is a BIG part of a cancer diagnosis. The unknowns are just that....unknown....no control, and not knowing the outcome. I pray God will teach me what he wants me to learn from all of this. If I can help anyone by sharing my journey, or offering an ear to someone else wrestling with their diagnosis, I will. I'll be the first to pray with you, cry with you, and sing with you if you want to. I can't carry a tune well, but I will still sing praises to God with you. We serve a mighty, mighty God!

Rich, Skylar, and myself humbly thank everyone that have sent cards, flowers, carvings, and words of encouragement. I'm growing a new circle of cancer friends from around the globe. I will share updates as they become available.

Many blessings, Holli Smithson