TODD HUTCHINSON

A letter from his wife Adrienne

After 12 years the love of my life, Todd Hutchinson, and I found each other back into each other’s lives. We were engaged a year and a half later. Our sweet little grand baby was born the next night. Everything felt so right in life.

Shortly thereafter he started having a lot of gastrointestinal issues. They got worse and worse and finally I was able convince him that it was time to go to the doctor. His doctor laughed it off as just stress and gave the simple instructions of taking a probiotic. Months went by and the symptoms worsened more and more. It was time to see his doctor again. He was referred to a gastroenterologist. They opted to do a colonoscopy. At 44 years old they didn’t seem to be in a rush. It was scheduled for 2 months later. Before the procedure the doctor prepared us for possible conditions. All were things that medication helps. After the procedure the doctor came to me with a very somber look on his face. Todd was still coming out of anesthesia. He told me that he had an answer that explains all of the issues he had been having but unfortunately it was colon cancer. My heart sank to my feet. His colon was almost completely blocked by a circumferential tumor. He explained that it needed to be removed and it had to be done quickly. With the IV still in his hand and with him still not completely out of anesthesia we were sent to have a CT scan done.  A week later surgery was done. Eight inches of his colon was removed during colon resection surgery. While recovering in the hospital we got the results of the pathology. We were told that it is a very aggressive form of adenocarcinoma.

The form of adenocarcinoma that he has is considered very aggressive and grows quickly. No one could ever prepare us for the financial burden that comes along with this. We sold his vehicle and maxed out all of our credit cards as well as depleted our savings account to be able to pay for the surgeries, medications, Chemo, doctors visits, hospital stays, and all that goes along with it. Family members have helped all that they can to help us stay afloat. He has had to miss a lot of work and so have I but we keep on keeping on.

A PET scan confirmed that the colon cancer had metastasized to his lungs. It was now stage 4. He explained that stage 3 is curable but stage 4 is not. He said that chemo can add many years to his life. It felt like a nightmare that I’d wake up from any second. It wasn’t. Surgery to place a port had to be done right away and chemo had to begin a few days later. Todd is the strongest man I know. None of us can imagine life without him. He said he was going to fight it with us all beside him. The treatments have been hard for him ... very hard but he is still fighting strong.

Todd works for Comfort Control Heating and Air. He started out at Arnold’s Hearing and Air in 1993 as a helper. Today he prides himself on being the General Manager for Comfort Control. Our son, Link, is a sophomore at Denham Springs High. Our daughter, Alexus, is majoring in education at Southeastern University. Our pup’s, aka as our second son, name is Gumbo.  He’s a year old. Our grandson’s name is Daxton and he is 14 months old. We were married 10/31 and hope to share many many years together as a family full of love and hope. 

He is such a strong man but this is very hard on him. No one can ever prepare themselves for hearing you have cancer, your husband has cancer, your Dad has cancer, your brother has cancer, or your son has cancer.  Thank you for considering Todd as a beneficiary. We are honored to be considered.

Thank you!

~ Adrienne Hutchinson

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