b'Fisher HouseA HomeAway From Home for Military and Veteran Familieswww.fisherhousecamppendleton.org https://fisherhouse.org/aboutOne Young Marines Personal Story VA hospital or medical facility. The family is required to live When Kevin Gerodias was a young Marine Lance Corporalmore than 50 miles away from the medical facility and have running exercises at Camp Pendleton during the summer ofa referral from the patients physician. Perhaps Kevins parents 2019, he began to develop stomach pains. At first, he thoughtcould stay at the Fisher House at Camp Pendleton while he could work through them, and attributed them to strenuousKevin underwent surgery? The plan was put into motion.workouts and possibly the food he was eating. But whenSurgery at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton to remove his abdominal pains worsened and were compounded withthe cancer was scheduled in daysthe doctors didnt want bouts of fever, lack of appetite, significant weight loss, andto waste any time. To be present for Kevins surgery, Kevins even vomiting, Kevin knew something was seriously wrong.parents had no time to spare eitherboth of them taking A blood test would show elevated white blood cellsemergency family leave from their jobs before taking a indicating high infection. A CT scan would then reveal alast-minute flight from New York to California. They were suspected cancerous tumor in his colon. After a colonoscopyrushed, anxious, exhausted and hungry when they reached and biopsy of the tumor, Kevin received the bad news: he hadthe Fisher House-Camp Pendleton late Friday afternoon. colon cancer. For the best outcome, Kevin would need surgeryWaiting for them to arrive was Fisher House Manager, Vicky as soon as possible to remove the tumor, and he wouldPowell-Johnson, who greeted them warmly and provided need months to recover and heal. Kevin was devastated andthem with a hot meal.scared. He was only 25 years old. Even the doctors agreed heHaving served thousands of families at the House overwas too young for this but added, anything was possible.the years, Vicky was aware of the anxiety and challenges Kevin turned to his Marine buddies at Camp Pendletonfacing families such as Kevins. So she made sure they were who were supportive of his situation, but were unable to introduced to all the House had to offer, including a large take time off to see him through his journey. He was nearlykitchen with food supplies, dining room, laundry facilities, 3,000 miles from his home in Queens, New York, so askingcomputer and internet access, and common living areas such his parents to join him on the west coast seemed likely aas a den, living room and library. She showed them to their costly and impossible endeavoruntil Gunnery Sergeantprivate room with ensuite bathroomall theirs to enjoy at no Rivas, Battalion Family Residence Officer, told him aboutcost, for as long as needed. Gift cards for forgotten toiletries Fisher House. and other incidentals were provided to them, as well as some Fisher House provides comfort homes where military andprepared meals. veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved oneAs Kevin went into surgery, his parents were able to wait receives treatment for an illness or injury at a military orat the hospital and confer with the physicians. The surgery 10 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine HJuly 2021H Thank You For Your Service'