When Todd Feaser became sick about a year ago and was hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis, he was understandably concerned. As it turned out, contracting the virus that is responsible for the ongoing global health pandemic was only one health issue that Feaser was facing.
His visit to the hospital revealed that he was also suffering from Stage IV chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The 47-year-old soon learned that his body’s immune system was nearly too weak to fight off the COVID-19 virus. He said he ended up staying in the hospital for eight weeks.
“It was a real shock. Within the first two nights, the doctor told me with the COVID stuff, if you didn’t go to the ICU [when you did], you wouldn’t have made it through the night. That was an eye-opener,” Feaser said. “Further along when I got the cancer diagnosis and learned the timeline with Stage IV is 5 to 7 years, that was news I wasn’t prepared for.”
Vickie’s Angel Foundation has been there to help Feaser following his unexpected diagnosis. As he was forced to miss work for roughly five months and focus on treatment, the foundation helped to pay some of his bills, keeping his family moving forward. Even with that support, he is still working to juggle bills and expenses, including some of his medical costs that he said were not covered by insurance.
Recently, Feaser said he has been able to return to his job at Daflure, a heating and air conditioning service company based in New Cumberland. He praised Justin McClure, the company’s president, for being extremely flexible with his schedule and offering him support during his hospitalization and subsequent treatment.
In addition, the Newburg, Cumberland County resident said he’s been pleasantly surprised by how many friends and others have reached out offering support. That includes the people from Vickie’s Angel Foundation.
“I had no idea a group like Vickie’s Angels was even a thing. I work a couple of miles [from the foundation’s office] and didn’t realize it was there,” Feaser said. “It’s great there are places like that to help people in a time like this. You don’t know where to go or look and the bills don’t stop.”
Now that he is feeling better and has transitioned to taking daily pills for his chemotherapy treatments, Feaser said that he is focused on being there for his daughter, Fallon. She is a Big Spring High School student who plays softball and competes in the rodeo. She is currently looking at colleges as well.
Feaser said he has his own athletic background, having played semi-professional hockey and competed in roping events in rodeos up and down the East Coast. He hopes more competitions are in his future plans.
“Personally, I’ve been trying to get back to the roping events in the rodeo,” Feaser said. “I’m trying to get myself to a point where I can make a run at the finals.”