Cams Cancer Relief Fund

Dear Backabuddy community,

 

I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart and a story that has forever changed our lives. My name is Stacey, and I am here on behalf of Cameron Hendrikz. Cam and I have been together for 8 years now and he is an amazing person. I wouldn't be who I am without him. 

 

In December 2021, our world was shattered when Cam, at the young age of 30, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Initially attributing his severe stomach pains to diverticulitis, we sought the opinion of a new general practitioner who, in turn, promptly directed Cam to a specialist for a colonoscopy. The results were devastating — a large portion of his colon was obstructed by a sizable tumor and so he was swiftly admitted into the hospital for further examinations - where we were confronted with the harsh reality of cancer. 

 

In the blink of an eye, Cam underwent a life-altering operation, during which the tumor, along with most of his colon and rectum, was removed, leaving him with a colostomy bag - a significant adjustment in itself. Throughout this challenging journey, Cam has displayed unwavering strength, maintaining his sense of humor and positive outlook on life. Post-surgery, a grueling regimen of radiation and chemotherapy ensued, with Cam bravely enduring each session. 

 

Throughout this whole journey Cam has kept his full time job as a web developer. He has taken minimal sick days or days of leavr and he really has been so strong. He makes us all so proud. 

Despite the hardships of 2022, we have held onto hope, believing that the treatments were working. Our thoughts turned towards the future, contemplating marriage and starting a family.

However, February of the following year brought an unexpected setback when two small nodules were discovered on Cam's liver. This led us down the path of Radio-Ablation and later, major surgery to remove half his liver and gallbladder, followed by another round of intensive chemotherapy.

 

Now, in the midst of this ongoing battle, a new drug introduced into the chemotherapy routine is taking a toll on Cam and his immune system. This new drug drastically drops his immune system and leaves Cam feeling nauseous, weak, and in pain for days afterward. Due to his immune system being compromised Cam has experienced difficulty with wounds healing as they should. Back in September Cam had his chemo port replaced before he was to start his new treatments, these wounds took 3 months to heal properly and, to this day they still give issues. As a precaution, Cam has since resigned himself to not leaving the house except for his bi-monthly treatments. He works from home every day, not missing any days except for chemo days. 

 

Despite the challenges, we've reached the halfway mark, eagerly anticipating the end of March when the chemo sessions are slated to conclude. 

Unfortunately, financial burdens have surfaced as Cam's oncology benefits have been exhausted - resulting in significant out-of-pocket expenses. After a lot of back and forth with the medical aid we are now expected to cover a 20% shortfall on all treatments, medicines, scans, etc. We are exhausting our savings to make each payment happen. 

 

Faced with these mounting costs and whirlwind of emotions, I humbly turn to our community, seeking your assistance to ensure that Cam receives the treatments vital for his recovery. Your support, no matter how small, will be a beacon of hope in our journey, and we would be eternally grateful for any help you can provide. In a time where Cam's strength is our top priority, sparing him from additional financial burdens would be a gift beyond measure.

 

With heartfelt gratitude,

Stacey