Tim and Sandy are good friends of ours, especially of Byron's as he has met them on the road and gotten to know them well, as they travel the country the same as he does. Just in the last couple of weeks, Tim received a cancer diagnosis. Tim has helped Byron on a number of things in the years since they met. Now, we want to help Tim and Sandy relieve some of the financial burden.
Tim has had a number of scans and tests to assess the nature of the cancer to determine the appropriate treatments. Radiation and chemotherapy will be starting soon as the first response in treatment and will make it difficult and likely impossible to work for a while.
Following is their story in Sandy’s own words…..
Hi..l'd like to tell you how our cancer story started..it started with blood and pain.
But...before we get to that..l’d like to tell you how it all really started..this is Tim's story..from my perspective. 39 years ago this shy 19 year old approached me at a street festival and said "hi..do you want to walk around with me?" I said" I’m not sure..are you a weirdo?" He said" Nope..I’m a nice guy who will treat you right." That’s the real beginning. We got married in 1989 and God saw fit to give us 2 beautiful children and 3 amazing grandchildren and we've been so happy all these years.
Tim is.."that guy" you know the one? I mean that friend you can call day or night
and they come help you..no questions just help? The guy who never asks for anything for himself and always puts God family and friends first? Need help moving? Fixing something broken? Again...he's "that guy". Now..he's the guy who needs help. His cancer story started with rectal bleeding and pain. I’m a retired nurse...l said..oh it’s probably internal hemorrhoids...after all..he has a long history of heavy lifting doing construction and home remodeling..so why would it be cancer? Then came the weight loss.. poor appetite..increased bleeding and pain. We had no choice but to investigate!
We asked ourselves and God for guidance and support and to take our fears away.
Well we've learned that scared is scared. Cancer is terror, terror of the unknown.
In the last 6 weeks of going thru expensive and painful procedures.. we've learned Tim has rectal cancer. This cancer is already taking from Tim. It’s taking his energy..his strength..his confidence is faltering already.
He can't sleep at night..constantly up in the bathroom. We are at the stage where the surgeon is deciding between radiation and chemotherapy or surgery. This cancer is draining us physically mentally and financially. We have no insurance, unfortunately. We are in the process of working with case management at Fort Sanders hospital in Knoxville...applying for any and all financial aide available.
According to the oncologist...this is way more than we can do on our own..even with aid…this is more than we can do on our own. The $3000 already spent was to confirm that he has cancer...not treatment for the cancer. So we are turning this over to Byron and his amazing wife..she will be reaching out to you on our behalf. Any and all donations received will be greatly appreciated and used to keep a roof over our heads while we beat this cancer out of our home. Thank you for your time..if unable to donate..prayers are always good and free..Sandy and Tim Leo
