Brandon Twp.- Kim Kress-Stoddard describes her husband, Steve, as a workaholic.
The couple has been married five years and between them, they have five children. Steve has been working three jobs to make ends meet every month. But after he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last month, the family is learning to live one day at a time.
‘Steve’s spirits are great,? Kim said. ‘He has to keep them up because that is the only way he can fight it. Steve has good days where he feels he is going to beat it, and the next day he doesn’t feel good and feels sad. But his game plan is to beat it and get back to work and doctors are happy that his attitude is good and he will fight it. He’s worried about me because I am the rock right now. I’m handling it and doing the best I can do with five kids, a very sick husband and my jobs.?
Steve began feeling sick in October, with severe abdominal pain. A doctor told him he had diverticulitis. Steve continued working full-time as a sales representative, where his salary is commission-based, and also worked part-time at Center Plate, as a waiter at games and concerts at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Additionally, he worked weekends at Meijer. But the pain persisted and in the beginning of March, they went to a Beaumont doctor, who did a colonoscopy and immediately scheduled surgery to remove the 10-centimeter tumor. The cancer has spread to his liver and lymph nodes and more surgery is planned. Chemotherapy is scheduled to begin April 28.
Steve was admitted to the hospital this week with an infection, which Kim said is being treated aggressively with antibiotics.
Steve has not worked since March 13, the day before his surgery, and will be off work for at least six months. They are grateful to have medical insurance, but are struggling to pay the bills and Kim is trying to work with debtors in between trips to the hospital, working two part-time jobs, one as a medical biller for Provider Claims Management in Ortonville and the other as a waitress at Center Plate, as well as keeping up with their kids, Mikayla, 14, Megan, 14, Morgan, 11, and twins Gavin and Mikenzie, 10.
She said the kids are very worried, but are busy at school, so that helps.
‘I don’t think the younger ones realize how sick he is right now and emotionally, it’s hard on them, too,? Kim said. ‘They are going to school and they have their activities and are trying to help Steve get better… We focus on one day and move on to the next. We can only do so much in one day.?
Family, friends and supporters are hoping to lighten the load. Several fundraisers have been planned for the family.
‘I’m not one to ask for anything,? Kim said. ‘We appreciate any help or support we are given and are thankful too for all the support from everybody we have already been given.?