The Zeiglers - Ted's FIGHT against Lung Cancer

In September of 2022, the Zeigler's lives were forever changed.

46-year-old Ted developed a cough, fever, and shortness of breath seemingly out of nowhere. After negative home COVID tests, he became so sick his wife Dorrie took him to the hospital. There, his lung imaging showed an alarming finding. “Too numerous to count” pulmonary nodules. After bronchoscopy, testing, medications, biopsies, CT scans, and PET Scans, Ted and his family were faced with the last diagnosis they ever expected. Lung Cancer. Ted is not a smoker. The diagnosis and advanced staging were a shock to everyone. Ted and his wife Dorrie and his sons Nathan and Austin, were faced with the unimaginable. Full of love and support from his family and friends, Ted’s battle against lung cancer began.

Since that day, September 21, 2022, Ted has fought. He has completed numerous rounds of chemotherapy. He uses supplemental oxygen. He and his wife Dorrie, who works in the medical field, have fought for insurance coverage, treatment coverage, and supplies he needs, often paying out of pocket for oxygen supplies and medical equipment during insurance reinstatement periods. Ted reluctantly accepted his inability to keep working due to his severe limitations. Every day he keeps doing all that he can and continues to fight for his family, his loved ones, and his life. Despite his strength and courage, the cancer continues to spread. A more aggressive chemotherapy treatment plan began, and with it came serious side effects. Yet he continues to fight. In the last few months, the cancer has progressed, causing fluid buildup in his lungs and abdomen requiring multiple paracentesis procedures and chest tube drainage. Then, another blow to his progress. He has spent the last week in ICU. Ted went into respiratory failure and is currently being treated for infection and inflammation, without notable improvement. Yet he continues his fight.

14 months of ups and downs, good days and bad, of hope and perseverance. Dorrie has been the sole provider for her family and for 14 months shows up at her job in a medical office, helping others with their needs. Now, her work family would like to step in. We are creating this Go Fund Me for the Zeigler Family – For Ted, for Dorrie for their two young adult sons. To show Dorrie the care, compassion, love, and support that she shows to patients at work every day. Please, if you can, donate any amount to this family in need. Our goal is to help cover medical expenses, personal bills, and anything they need during this time. Any amount is deeply appreciated. If you would like to know more, please reach out to me. I have known Dorrie and worked closely with her for 2 years. We hope and pray that our community surrounds the Zeigler family with love and support during this difficult time. Thank you and love to you all.