Photo / KVRR
FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) – “I just felt a little sick. I never thought it was cancer.”
When Oleksandr Likahov first started to notice his symptoms he thought it was nothing. Oleksandr is battling stage four colon cancer, and says it’s been a hard fight.
“It’s a very aggressive cancer, and it almost killed me,” Oleksandr said.
“He was 187 pounds, and now he is 126 pounds,” his wife Natalia added.
Oleksandr and his wife Natalia live in Wahpeton, and first came to the U.S. in 2015.
“So far from our family, and we don’t know anybody,” Natalia said.
“Different language,” Oleksandr added.
“Yeah, different language, different rules, different culture, everything was different,” Natalia said.
Since then they’ve watched their home in Ukraine be devastated by war. Oleksandr’s brother was killed in the war against Russia.
“It’s hard to be here, and watch what’s going on over there. But I’ve never been in the military, I don’t know how to hold a gun very well. I cannot help, especially when my family is here. It’s hard,” Oleksandr said.
And while Oleksandr’s fight against cancer is different, he says there is one thing in common.
“War is war. Illness is illness. But like most fights only one rule is never give up,” Oleksandr said.
Oleksandr and Natalia were at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo for treatments that last from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
“We have two kids, 8 and 2 years old. When we were in the Mayo Clinic, my mom stayed there,” Natalia said.
It’s been a taxing fight. Natalia has taken an unpaid leave, and Oleksandr is unable to work. They say they couldn’t carry on without their friends and supporters.
“Saying ‘Oh guys we miss you.’ If you have time, come in to talk to us. It’s just like.. Thank you,” Natalia said.
But even still, uncertainty about their refugee status has cast a dark cloud over their fight.
“They should make one more TPS for Ukraine, but who knows what is going to happen,” Oleksandr said.
Despite that, they say they still have hope for a better future.
“I’d like to be free from this disease. We would like to be part of the U.S.A.” Oleksandr said.
You can donate to Oleksandr’s fight against cancer here.
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