ToughForTodd

It is with heavy hearts we update you of Todds passing. Todd was truly one of those who had and impact on our community as a whole. His love and memory lives on through his family and those he touched. This community was able to support the Smith family through out their chemo journey and now we want to be there in the last part of this journey.Thank you so much for your love and support!

No one ever expects a cancer diagnosis. Especially not for someone as tough as Todd Smith. Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas. Many of you know Todd as coach. The tough guy with a good sense of humor. Next week Todd and Jodi will travel to MU for the first of many trips for treatment. The burden of a diagnosis alone is almost too heavy but the looming thought of medical bills, travel, expenses, food and housing are something that no one dealing with a diagnosis should have to worry about. Todd has touched so many lives in our community it’s time for us to stand together and be tough for Todd. Tough for the Smith’s. Tough as a community. So let’s fight. #F@ckCancer

Update:

Todd’s last treatment was on October 9th. He had finished 10 chemotherapy infusions. He had great results from the 1st 5 treatments. The tumor in the pancreas shrank by almost 50% and the Mets to liver were gone. However the scans after the 10th treatment showed no more shrinkage but no progression either so the treatments were stopped with hopes of getting into a clinical trial. Todd had several set backs during his treatments. Low platelets and WBC counts were the main reasons. Which delayed treatments several times. His body just couldn’t recover in time.

We’ve had a road block with the insurance unfortunately, and they have denied out of network coverage at several large facilities that are close to home at KU and SLU. Which those denials took time that he does not have.

The last 4 weeks we have been waiting on the insurance to approve gap coverage at MD Anderson in Houston TX. This week marks the 15 business day waiting period. So we are trusting that it will be approved.

Todd has been in a lot of pain the last month. So much that he can’t sleep at night. The pain meds just do not last for relief. He is having to sleep in a chair so that he is not in pain from lying down. We traveled to MU yesterday where he got a Celiac Plexus nerve block to see if that will alleviate the pain.

It could take up to 48 hours to take effect

If he does get in to MD Anderson we will have travel expenses and he will have to take off work. It’s a 9.5 hour drive. We could fly(which will be a big expense) as well to save time. He does not have any more “sick” days so he will not get paid for his time off.