Skender Strong

Doug was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016.  At that time, he had surgery to remove the tumor.  However, he was re-diagnosed as stage 4 colon cancer after that surgery because cancer had spread to his lymph nodes.  When cancer has spread to lymph nodes, it's a harder process to remove cancer cells because it can travel easier through the body and can be harder to target treatment for since cells can technically "hide."  Therefore, Doug has had to go through chemo every two weeks ("maintenance chemo") for the past few years. Even with this routine of consistent chemo and it wearing him down, Doug has been doing amazing and he has looked as healthy as those not fighting a terrible disease! He was going into work every day and was working out for a while with his oldest son, Holden, and often busy playing with his grandson, Tyson. 
 
In 2019, Liffey and Doug were told that he would more than likely have to do this maintenance chemo for the rest of his life. His scans have shown little tumors in his lungs and some in his esophagus area.  Some have shrunk and some have gone away with chemo.  At the same time, some new ones also show up. This is the "cycle" of what doctors set for an expectation.  Again, Doug has always remained strong and positive, and Liffey has been the most amazing mother, wife and care taker throughout this journey!
 
This year when COVID-19 pushed all of us into quarantine, it became very critical that Doug and the entire Skender family stay home since he was high-risk and to reduce the chances of him contracting COVID-19. He has worked from home since March. Doug continued doing chemo every two weeks to address 6 spots in or near his lungs that weren't growing (even some were shrinking).  However, they discovered 2 more tumors started growing on his spine and rib that were not responding to chemo. These spots were discovered through an MRI done on his back.  
 
Along with chemo and a pandemic, Doug started having unusual crippling back pain in July 2020. Because of the intensity of pain, he went in for an MRI.  This showed the two new tumors and a compression fracture. The cancer in his spinal area caused deterioration and weakness which they believe caused movement that resulted in the fracture. Doug went in for surgery in September to repair the fracture. Once his back healed, he would start radiation for the two new tumors on his spine and rib. 
 
Unfortunately, following surgery, Doug experienced so much pain that he worked all day and then went to bed. He could no longer do his back-strengthening exercises he was supposed to continue, or exercise to keep his body and core strong.  From laying and sitting all day, this caused blood clots in his legs that were also being addressed with blood thinners.  Because of this, he couldn't take anti-inflammatory medicines or pain meds which would normally have reduced the amount of back pain he was experiencing. After seeing his doctors, they learned that he had two herniated discs in his lower back which was causing extreme pain in his butt and legs, which was causing him to fall and essentially make him immobile.  Liffey was helping him get around in the house, which was not sustainable for long. 
 
Beginning of October, Doug saw a new doctor that took an X-ray of his entire back and said that Doug had spinal stenosis, along with his other back issues. This is like serious arthritis and was contributing to his lack of mobility.  They began to treat this which did give Doug relief in the arthritic area, but he was still experiencing extreme pain in the rest of his back.  After one of his doctor visits and a steroid shot, the doctor was very concerned that Doug could not walk and was showing signs of someone who had broken their back.  He sent Doug to the ER.  In the ER they did an MRI and it showed he had fractured his back again.  This was probably caused by one of his falls and it ruptured the surgical site from his recent back surgery.  They did emergency surgery to put in 4 rods and remove part of the tumor pushing on his spine. The rest of the tumor will have to be removed by radiation once Doug heals from the 2nd back surgery.  
 
 Through all 4 years of cancer treatment (chemo and radiation,  disc replacement and 3 surgeries), this has been the worst pain Doug has had to undergo and it has been difficult for the entire Skender family to see Doug in so much pain.  No one was ever expecting emergency surgery.  
 
As of today, Doug is healing from the surgery.  He will move from the hospital to an in-patient rehabilitation center for a few weeks, where he will work on strengthening his back, body and mind from the past few months of intense pain and surgery. He will not be able to begin radiation on the growing tumors until he is healed from this surgery.  Once that does happen, radiation will take a lot out of Doug yet again.
 
If you know the Skender's they do not let anything get them down!  Liffey and Doug are fighters and they will fight through this, too.  However, they have a lot on their plates these next few months and alot they still don't know for certain in regards to treatment, recovery, etc.  They are so blessed to have such a huge support system to pick them up during these times and help carry them forward!  Their strength and fight, along with their unwavering faith, is incredibly inspiring. 
 
Of course, Liffey will tell you that all they need is to be completely covered in prayer so please add them to your prayer list!  Along with prayer, financial support will be a blessing for them these next few months so they can focus solely on Doug's recovery and health.

Due to limited income, your financial support will help ease the burden of their mortgage payment along with bills, caring for their 4 beautiful children and medical costs.

Philippian 4:19
"And my God will supply all you needs according to his riches in Glory in Christ Jesus"

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