Stephen-Dad, Vet & LEO has cancer
Donation protected
My name is Katie (Kathleen) Shull and I'm creating this campaign to raise funds to help my husband Stephen Shull as he fights an advanced stage of lung cancer.
My husband Stephen is a dedicated, cheerful, loving father to our four children and my best friend. He is light-hearted, silly and loves nothing more than bringing a smile to our children's faces. He is doing his best to make sure that we keep life as normal as possible around the house while he goes through treatment.
Stephen has a long history of serving our country, first in the Coast Guard and then the Army for a total of 15 years active duty service. He was deployed to a combat zone twice and thankfully returned home safe both times. Currently, he's working as a deputy sheriff in Florida. We are a single income family as he works while I attend college full-time for nursing.
What started out a little over a month ago as a checkup for an abnormal pain in his side, has quickly turned into a shocking diagnosis of lung cancer. We have had to make numerous trips to various doctor's offices both local and up in Tampa to try to obtain the best treatment for my husband. He has had two procedures so far and one of those included a hospital stay with time off of work. All of these unexpected trips for appointments, necessary procedures and scans have resulted in unforeseen expenses. Thank goodness we have insurance, but it doesn't cover all the costs associated with his treatment. Stephen will soon be beginning pill therapy to fight his cancer, and that will also be an additional cost. We don't know what the treatment requirements will be in the future and what additional costs we may face. Clinical trials may be an option as will immunotherapy once we see how well the targeted therapy works. So far, we know that photosensitivity is a major side effect of this therapy. In order to keep him from suffering burns, we will need to purchase more UV protective clothing, make certain adaptations around the house and with vehicle he will be driving in order to keep him from harm. Florida is very sunny and the UV index here daily is usually in the higher end of the scale, so we're trying to combat that as best as we can.
The funds that are generously donated towards the goal will be used to pay for medical costs (both current and in the future), additional expenses for items required as he goes through treatment (UV shirts, etc) , transportation costs, household/living expenses resulting from his time absent from work and towards items that can make his life easier as he goes through this process. Any funds received over the goal amount will be used towards any purpose we deem fitting. I would like to make this time as pleasant as possible for Stephen and our family while he struggles with this disease.
As we go forward as a family to help Stephen battle his cancer, the support of our family and friends will be invaluable. If you are able to donate, it will be greatly appreciated and will go a long way towards easing the financial strain of this unexpected medical crisis. Please keep Stephen and our family in your prayers.
My husband Stephen is a dedicated, cheerful, loving father to our four children and my best friend. He is light-hearted, silly and loves nothing more than bringing a smile to our children's faces. He is doing his best to make sure that we keep life as normal as possible around the house while he goes through treatment.
Stephen has a long history of serving our country, first in the Coast Guard and then the Army for a total of 15 years active duty service. He was deployed to a combat zone twice and thankfully returned home safe both times. Currently, he's working as a deputy sheriff in Florida. We are a single income family as he works while I attend college full-time for nursing.
What started out a little over a month ago as a checkup for an abnormal pain in his side, has quickly turned into a shocking diagnosis of lung cancer. We have had to make numerous trips to various doctor's offices both local and up in Tampa to try to obtain the best treatment for my husband. He has had two procedures so far and one of those included a hospital stay with time off of work. All of these unexpected trips for appointments, necessary procedures and scans have resulted in unforeseen expenses. Thank goodness we have insurance, but it doesn't cover all the costs associated with his treatment. Stephen will soon be beginning pill therapy to fight his cancer, and that will also be an additional cost. We don't know what the treatment requirements will be in the future and what additional costs we may face. Clinical trials may be an option as will immunotherapy once we see how well the targeted therapy works. So far, we know that photosensitivity is a major side effect of this therapy. In order to keep him from suffering burns, we will need to purchase more UV protective clothing, make certain adaptations around the house and with vehicle he will be driving in order to keep him from harm. Florida is very sunny and the UV index here daily is usually in the higher end of the scale, so we're trying to combat that as best as we can.
The funds that are generously donated towards the goal will be used to pay for medical costs (both current and in the future), additional expenses for items required as he goes through treatment (UV shirts, etc) , transportation costs, household/living expenses resulting from his time absent from work and towards items that can make his life easier as he goes through this process. Any funds received over the goal amount will be used towards any purpose we deem fitting. I would like to make this time as pleasant as possible for Stephen and our family while he struggles with this disease.
As we go forward as a family to help Stephen battle his cancer, the support of our family and friends will be invaluable. If you are able to donate, it will be greatly appreciated and will go a long way towards easing the financial strain of this unexpected medical crisis. Please keep Stephen and our family in your prayers.
Organizer
Katie Shull
Organizer
Nokomis, FL
