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Man fights cancer shortly after losing his restaurant due to COVID-19

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Posted at 3:03 PM, May 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-21 10:23:43-04

ROGERS, TX — We've seen Central Texans fight through this pandemic with patience, strength and courage. For Aaron and Jill Metcalf, they're not only fighting for their livelihood, they're fighting to save a life.

They'll celebrate their nine year anniversary this July. It's a marriage lately, that has seen the words for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health materialize.

Interviewing Jill via Zoom, I stated, "It seems like you guys are being tested." She simply replied "We are, we are being tested."

First, when shelter-in-place orders shut down Aaron's restaurant, Double XL barbecue in Rogers a month ago, they found themselves with no income. They had to close up shop for good.

"I guess a month ago, it was okay," Aaron told me from his hospital room. "I could go get a job and work and that's what I did. I was working to pay the bills and then this happened and that option is gone."

Aaron found himself suffering extreme pain in his back and hips, which resulted in a trip to the ER and a life-altering diagnosis.

"You get the news you weren't expecting to get. He has Leukemia," Jill said.

Aaron was admitted to Scott and White in Temple and has begun chemotherapy.

"The most scary part, but it's actually been comforting here at Scott and White, they've been taking really good care of me, but I have no health insurance," he said.

With five children, household bills mounting and medical expenses looming, the Metcalfs turned to those in the community of Rogers, including family friend, Kristie Hayden.

"The immediate response was, what can we do, how can we help" she said. "That's what our community is. It doesn't matter what anyone is going through, they just want to be there and they want to help out as best as they can, in any way they can.

For Aaron and Jill, they're hoping and praying for a miracle.

"They're hopeful that they can cure it, they're telling us they can cure it, but it's going to be at least a year's process," they said.

If you would like to donate to the Metcalf family, click here.

There is a BBQ Benefit, May 30 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Rogers. It's $8 a meal, drive up only.