My name is Shawna Berogan and my husband Wyatt was diagnosed with Stage 2 rectal cancer. In July 2026, he went in for a colonoscopy and we were told that day they had found a mass. It was an incredible blow to our family. We immediately started the process of getting him to the doctors and completing the testing they wanted done. While doctors have given us hope and a good prognosis , we also know this will be a long road.
Wyatt started chemotherapy on August 31, 2026. He will be receiving chemo for 4 to 6 months at OSF Cancer Center in Rockford, IL with treatments every other week. Each treatment includes several hours at the hospital and then he comes home wearing a chemo pump for 2 days before we go to Rochelle Hospital in Rochelle, IL to have it removed. After chemotherapy, he will take a chemo pill while going thru radiation 5 days a week for 5 to 6 weeks, also at OSF Cancer Center. Once the doctors are satisfied with his progress, he is expected to need surgery at UW Health in Madison, WI, followed by 6 to 8 weeks off work.
The treatment is taking a toll on Wyatt. He is still working as much as he can while going thru treatment. The chemo pump makes it difficult for him to sleep and the nausea has already started to set in. On top of that, we are both missing work for treatments and appointments and Wyatt is also missing work on says when the treatment side effects leave him completely wiped out. He does have FMLA, but those missed days are unpaid. Wyatt is the main breadwinner in our house, and we depend on his full paycheck to make ends meet. I am working a second job to help make up for the income we have already lost, but travel, missed work, and ongoing bills are putting a real strain on us.
Donations will help cover medical bills, gas for all the trips to Rockford, Rochelle, and Madison, maintenance on the main vehicle we rely on to get to appointments, and household bills when our paychecks fall short.
We greatly appreciate any help that anyone can give us!! Asking for help is not something we usually do but we feel that this is something we need to do at this time. If you are unable to donate – we understand – positive thoughts and prayers for Wyatt are greatly appreciated.