Support Bentley's Urgent Chemotherapy

As many of you know, Bentley and I recently moved to Mexico to live our retirement dream. Unfortunately, very soon after we arrived, Bentley became ill and our nightmare began.

He became jaundiced, lethargic, and began to run a fever. After several tests, the wonderful doctors here in Merida found that there was a tumor in his gallbladder that was blocking his bile duct. They took several biopsies of the tumor and placed a stent in his bile duct. After this procedure, Bentley started feeling much better. His eyes are less yellow, his appetite returned (my skinny husband lost over 20 pounds!), and his energy level improved. We thought he was on the mend.

Late Thursday night, January 30th, his doctor called with the devastating news that the tumor in his gallbladder that was blocking his bile duct was indeed cancer and that he would need surgery (a Whipple procedure) to remove his gallbladder, bile ducts, part of his pancreas, and possibly part of his small intestine. He will also need at least one round of chemotherapy, possibly more, depending on what they find during surgery.

Bentley's Medicare health insurance does not pay for care here in Mexico, and we have been paying out of pocket for all of his care, blood work, imaging, and procedures. I fortunately bought international emergency health insurance before we left, but it only covers certain things and then reimburses us. While we are able to afford his care and the surgery, it is the chemotherapy that is so very expensive here in Mexico. So Bentley had to decide if he wanted to stay and continue his care here in Mexico or go back to the USA.

After calling his insurance provider, we found out that he would have to start his care all over again if we went back to the States. They won't take into consideration any of the tests, imaging, or procedures he's undergone here in Mexico, and he would have to meet with his primary, then find an oncologist, then more tests, imaging, etc. Basically causing him to waste months of critical time that he just can't afford. Bentley has decided that he wants to stay here in Mexico and continue with the excellent care he is already receiving.

That is why I have decided to do this GoFundMe for my husband. He is my entire world and the greatest man I have ever known. One of the many reasons I love Bentley is because of the way he loves and cares for others, and if you only knew how shocked and deeply touched he is when others show him even the smallest amount of kindness. However, I know how much he is loved by everyone, I know how important he is to so many people and how many lives he has touched. I am asking for help in covering the cost of Bentley's chemotherapy. I am asking for help to save my husband's life; this world needs him in it, and I need him in this world.

I want to thank everyone for all the love, support, and well wishes we have already received.