Jason Shepherds Cancer Relief

Hello, my name is Sarah and my husband Jason has been diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer Mets to Liver (it has spread to his liver). On Sept 20th, 2023 my husband had been having some pain in his ribs for a couple of days and woke up to a pain in his foot also. We decided it was best to have him checked out at urgent care since he’s prone to gout flare ups. Lucky for us urgent care was already closed and we was directed to the ER at the VA (my husband is a veteran). After listening to Jason’s symptoms the Dr decided to do an ultrasound on his rib area and ordered a CT Scan with contrast and that is when he found the masses in Jason’s colon and liver. That is also when our worst nightmares became our new reality. Cancer is an ugly word that no family wants to hear and everyone thinks “it won’t happen to me”.

Jason was immediately admitted and they began running tests and scans to give us a diagnosis and create a team of Drs for treatment. The Drs and surgeons sat us down and told us Jason’s cancer is aggressive and our best chance is to be referred to a cancer center. After doing our research we chose Moffit cancer center and now have his Drs at the VA and Moffit working together with his treatment plan. On October 12th they surgicall implanted a port in Jason’s chest for his chemotherapy treatments and ordered one last test (PET) to finalize his treatment plan that will best suit him. As of now his cancer is inoperable and he is looking to undergo 6 months of chemotherapy and radiation in an attempt to shrink the cancer enough to remove it.

Now for the tough part- we wasn’t prepared for tragedy. We didn’t think we was old enough for this to happen to us… we have no life insurance policy, short or long term disability, paid time off.. nothing. Weeks before Jason’s diagnosis he was informed that he would need to step down in his position due to the economy and them not bringing in enough money. This also came with a 1/4 pay cut from his salary and it was effective immediately. Every Dr appt Jason has, he has to use PTO to attend these appointments and he is quickly running out of that time. After that it will be unpaid time off. Between the pay cut, the time off he will need from Chemotherapy, radiation, follow up appointments, surgery with recovery time, and medical bills that are already arriving, we are going to be in a financial position we have never been in before. This is where my family is asking you for help. We are usually the ones planning, donating, and helping with benefits. My husband is being faced with a very long and tough road ahead of him… he is a fighter and will do whatever it takes to stay on this earth with us so he can grow old with me and watch his daughter do great things in life. My husband has served our country and community for over 30 years from the military, police, firefighter, paramedic and nurse. He has sacrificed so much for us and I hope our community can show him how much love and support he has. Everything helps and is appreciated from us. Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate through the unknown ♥️ much love- The Shepherd Family. #CancerSucks #CancerAwareness #ColonCancer #Shepherd #Veteran #MyHero