Benefit for Kevin Fenton family is Sunday

• Brenda and Kevin Fenton

A community-sponsored benefit for Kevin Fenton, shown with his wife, Brenda, is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Ellsworth Public School cafeteria.

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ELLSWORTH — A baked potato feed benefit is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Ellsworth Public School cafeteria to help raise funds for the Kevin and Brenda Fenton family of Ellsworth.

Kevin had surgery on Jan. 8, one day after doctors discovered a cancerous tumor about the size of a small lemon in his colon. The tumor was successfully removed, and a check of his lymph nodes showed no spread of the disease.

He began chemotherapy treatments last week, and will need to take time off from his job as a farm diesel mechanic at Domeyer Implement in Ellsworth for the every-other-week treatment schedule.

Over the next six months, Kevin will receive a dozen chemotherapy treatments, each one lasting two hours. The treatment at the hospital is followed by 46 hours of medications administered through a port-a-cath inserted into his chest. For those 46 hours, Kevin must carry the meds in a fanny pack-like bag that clips to the belt loop on his pants.

Kevin’s cancer diagnosis came one week after his wife, Brenda, lost her job of 20 years when Lee’s Frame and Craft Shoppe in Worthington closed at the end of the year.

January was a tough month for the couple with Kevin required to take four weeks off from work after his surgery and Brenda unemployed. She found a temporary job at the school, helping serve breakfast to students for about a week before an opportunity came up at Parkview Manor in Ellsworth. She’s now working there on a temporary basis in the activities department. Kevin returned to work on Feb. 9.

“After working (at Lee’s) for 20 years, it was really tough to have to think about finding a job,” Brenda said. “It’s going to be a tough year, but it’s on the upward trend.”

In early January, Kevin, 53, went to his doctor in Luverne when an apparent blockage made it unable for him to use the restroom. The tumor was discovered during a colonoscopy.

“It was a relief to have him have a blockage,” said Brenda. “It was found. It could have been worse. We were fortunate enough to get it as early as we did.”

The discovery of Kevin’s tumor prompted both of his older brothers to schedule a colonoscopy.

Doctors told Kevin following surgery that there was a 75 percent chance the cancer would not return. With the chemotherapy treatments, however, the chance improves to 85 percent to 90 percent that he’ll be cancer-free.

Sunday’s benefit is being coordinated by community volunteers. In addition to baked potatoes and assorted toppings, green beans and desserts will also be served for a free-will offering. There will also be a raffle featuring numerous items donated by local businesses and residents.

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