Support Petra's Fight Against Stage 4 Cancer

We are Mike and Gerda Bender, Parents of Petra Oevermann.

Our Daughter Petra Needs Your Prayers, Your Help and Support as She Battles Stage 4 Colon Cancer.

PETRA'S STORY:

Petra is the loving mother of her daughter Sarah and loving wife of her husband Karl Oevermann. In February of this year, she was working a new job as a part time mail carrier in Melrose, MN. Freshly fallen snow had coated and iced the road, and her vehicle slid off the road striking a tree. Petra was transported to Melrose Hospital, where they performed a Cat Scan. Fortunately, she was not seriously injured. But the Cat Scan revealed a large mass in her colon and spots on her liver. Further testing revealed stage 4 colon cancer and metastasis to her liver. This may explain many of the health issues Petra has suffered from during the past few years.

Petra was sent to the Coborn Cancer Center in St. Cloud, MN. This is a wonderful facility, and the staff are all very special people.

During the meeting with her Oncologist, Petra asked, "How Long Do I Have to Live?" He replied 2-3 years with aggressive chemotherapy. Heartbreaking news and we are praying for a miracle!

THE CHEMO TREATMENTS ARE UNDERWAY:

Petra has completed her first series of treatments. The scan which followed revealed the tumor in her colon had shrunk a tiny bit. But the cancer in her liver had grown. We were praying for better results.

She has started her second round of chemo treatments, but they are not going well. Petra is suffering severe side effects and has lost a lot of weight. She has actually missed the last two treatments because she has been so sick.

Petra's husband Karl is doing the best he can for her and their daughter Sarah. But he works a ten-hour shift and cannot be with her all the time. He has missed work or started late on several occasions. This has resulted in a loss of much needed income.

My wife and I have tried to be there as much as possible since Petra's diagnosis in February. We travel there many times a month and stay for several days at a time. We wish we could be there more often, but it is a 240-mile round trip. We also have another daughter and family who need us and our own household to maintain.

THE BILLS ARE PILING UP:

Petra and Karl have lost 50% of their income, but the bills keep coming in. With the loss of Petra's income, they struggle to meet their day-to-day living expenses. Now the medical bills pour in by the thousands of dollars at a time.

They have exhausted almost all of their savings. Karl is also facing the real possibility of an impending layoff. If Karl gets laid off, they will have no income and no health care benefits.

In an attempt to pay bills, they have sold many items dear to them.

Travel trailer, atv, wheeled ice fishing house, personal van and more. They also held a garage sale.

The recreational activities they once loved and shared as a family are non-existent, as they struggle with paperwork, bills and stage 4 colon cancer.

Petra has applied for Social Security Disability, Supplemental Social Security Insurance as well as other local aid programs. They have yet to receive any aid. Even if this aid comes in it will not be enough to cover all the bills.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Petra, Karl and Sarah need your prayers, support and any financial aid you can provide. A monetary gift will be used to meet the daily living expenses and mounting medical bills. It will be deeply appreciated and carefully spent.

Please pass this request along to anyone you think may be interested.

From the bottom of our heart, we thank you for your prayers and support.

Sincerely,

Mike and Gerda Bender and Family

Our thoughts and prayers to all who are suffering.