Introduction

My name is Mary Beth Mitchell.  I am starting this blog in order to reach out to others for help.  My Dad, Keith, was diagnosed in October 2011 with Stage 2 colon cancer.  He has been through so much.  He has always been a very independent person, reluctant to ask others for help but has always helped others when they were in need.  He has always been a hard worker, and has always been there for me.  I've learned so much from him, and am a lot like him in many ways. This is a picture of me (left), my Dad, and my sister from a few years back.

My Dad had a steady job but no insurance at the time that he began to get sick.  He simply could not afford it.  As a result of his illness, he was unable to work and had to undergo an extensive surgery to remove a tumor from his colon.  Many of his medical costs have been reduced thanks to hospital charity programs and reduced costs from his doctors, but he still needs help.  I am starting this blog in order to set up a donation site to help with his financial needs.

I never thought I would have to see someone I love so much suffer like this.  Starting this blog is a small way that I feel I can help by reaching out to others for support. Sometimes, there are things that we just cannot do alone, and we must reach out to the world for help and support.  In the past year, I have seen how important it is that we reach out and help others as much as we possibly can.  

I will also use this blog to reach as many people as possible about the symptoms of colon cancer and try to bring about awareness of early screening that may help others not have to face what my Dad is now going through.  Below is a picture of my Dad and I shortly after his surgery, in November 2011.  We were so hopeful during this time that surgery had removed the tumor completely and that my Dad was on his way back to normal life.  Shortly after this, he returned to work and was looking forward to being finished with this chapter of his life and moving on.

After a trip to the ER this week, we have now learned that my Dad has two more suspicious masses.  We do not know for sure yet what the masses are.  We go for a biopsy on Monday.  This is not the news we wanted, and I am starting this blog now because my Dad may need more treatment/surgery in the near future. I am trying my best to be hopeful that the masses are not more cancer.  (EDIT 6/1/12 :  Dad's colon cancer has returned, results of biopsy showed that the new mass is more of the original tumor)

I am Reaching Out to ask for your help. I have seen the loving kindness of others, and just how much we are willing to help those in need.  I believe that most people have this giving nature about them and are ready to give when they can.

 If you would like to make a donation that will go towards the financial needs my Dad is now facing, please click the donation button to the (top) right of this webpage.  You will be taken to PayPal where you can make a secure donation of any amount. Money can also be donated to the Keith Morris Donation Fund (care of Mary Beth Mitchell) at any United Bank.  I will also be donating money from the purchases of my art from my Etsy shop, which you can view here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/marybmitchellart?ref=si_shop

Please accept my thanks in advance for anything you can give!