Rising up for Randy Hendershott

Words can’t describe the sadness, hurt and frustration us siblings feel writing this. 


We have been trying to stay as strong as we can for our dad, Randy Hendershott, and help out as much as we can for our parents but we now need our prayer warriors, friends, and family members to help keep the force going. 


If you have never met Randy Hendershott in person, you probably have heard his name. He’s one of the hardest working men we know, always lending a hand to someone who needs help with no questions asked. He is just that kind of guy! He is a husband to Barbara Hendershott, our mother, father to us 4 children, and grandfather to 7 beautiful grand-babies. A definite patriarch to our family tribe showering love and kindness wherever and whenever he can. 


His story-


Several years ago, our father was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin B Cell Lymphoma. He went through both chemo and radiation treatments. He had a full recovery- cancer free!!!


Eight months ago he found a lump in his groin area and had tests done. Through the many tests and scans, he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and once again finds himself battling cancer. This time needing a more intense series of chemo treatments resulting in the thinningof his hair and completely wearing down his body. Often waking up and having to make himself go to work. His immune system is not strong enough to fight off any illness, cold, virus or disease that comes his way. Even through all this he had high spirits and acted like it didn’t bother him. 


During all of his cancer testing, the doctors incidentally discovered that he has a significant ascending aortic aneurysm caused by a congenital defect of the aortic heart valve. This is another potentially life threatening condition that will require open heart surgery to remedy if his lungs recover enough to undergo the procedure. In other words... “his aorta is basically like a blown up balloon.”


Subsequently, chemo treatments and fighting the cancer must be completed first due to high risk for infection after surgery. So the first step... chemo treatments. 


This past month, after chemo treatments our father took a turn none of us saw coming. He woke up one Tuesday morning, not able to catch his breath, and had to be rushed into the ER. His oxygen level was at 70%. He had to be put on oxygen as a result from acute respiratory failure with hypoxia. Multiple tests were done. He had three blood clots in his lungs, developed pneumonia, and chemo damage to his lungs leaving him in the hospital a total of 14 days and having to rely on oxygen. 


Our father had miraculously made great progress and retuned home Labor Day Monday; however, Friday, September 28 he was readmitted to the hospital for pneumonia again. He needs to stay on oxygen and is taking breathing treatments and several medications to keep his passageway open and lungs healthy, as well as blood thinners for clots. His body has been left broken, but his spirits, his love for his family, we believe, are what is keeping him going.


He has a long road ahead of him as he still needs open heart surgery. The saddest part is.... our father’s healthcare coverage will be terminated at the end of this month and they are left fending for themselves while he is out of work.


Putting all pride aside, our dad is struggling to keep a positive spirit and won’t like us doing this but it is necessary for his health and well-being. Their house is being listed so they can find a property with less upkeep and their boat being sold to help with medical bills and procedures.


They need our help! They’ve touched the lives of many while expecting nothing in return. They need us now before they start losing the things they’ve worked so hard to gain and before more medical bills start accruing. 


Please donate from your heart to spare our parents the heavy burden that they don’t need to carry at this time. Men of God carried Jesus Christ’s cross, it’s up to us to carry Randy’s! 


We can’t thank you enough from the bottom of our hearts for all the love, phone calls, texts, cards, flowers, food and support! 


God is good and continues to show us love each and everyday!


With Love❤️,
Randy and Bobbi’s Children-
Michael and Krista, Randy Jr, Ashley and Zach, Brittany, and 7 Loving Grandchildren