John Shirk Family
Donation protected
On May 28, 2009, John had a surgical procedure done to remove a lump on the back of his right calf. Three doctors had told him it was just a fatty mass and that if it bothered him he should have it removed. Upon going in, the doctor realized it was a larger mass than he had anticipated and was embedded in muscle tissue. He was not able to remove all of the mass but sent in what he removed for a biopsy. In a matter of days John was told that the cells were malignant and likely a soft-tissue sarcoma. John, Kathy, and their three kids were completely shaken and in disbelief.
John was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma; a rare form of cancer which usually occurs near to the joints of the arm, neck or leg. It is one of the rarest forms of soft tissue cancer. The good news was that they felt it was localized. His chest looked good and it had not moved to the lungs. The down side was that this is a rare cancer that can be aggressive and already had time on its side because of misdiagnosis. The treatment includes a bit of everything: chemotherapy, chemotherapy/radiation combo, and surgery. The end of the second week since diagnosis took them to the University of Minnesota. John added a PET scan, more blood work, and heart scan to his list of diagnostics work.
In April of 2013 John had a surgery to remove 3 tumors in his left lung; two synovial sarcoma and one benign. Recovery went well and the family jumped back into "normal" life that required frequent checkups with the oncologist.
In May of 2014, six weeks after a previous checkup John returned to the doctor. He started experiencing pain while trying to get deep breaths. The doctors found that another tumor rapidly growing on the left lung again was causing the pain while breathing. Surgery was again scheduled but this time was a little more invasive and they needed to remove a portion of two ribs. John has a gortex patch to maintain his chest wall integrity. He received 6 cycles of chemo over the summer however some continued growth and a new growth near the aorta halted chemo. After several visits with surgeons, radiation doctors, and oncologists, John had another surgery.
January 2015, it has been five years since John was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma. John has recovered from his surgery; occasionally he has a few twinges of pain. John and Kathy saw his surgeon and oncologist over the past couple of weeks and, as Kathy says "are planning his next battle plan." Unfortunately, his recent chest CT has new tumor growth on his left lung as well as the existing tumor on his right lung has grown. This is not the news anyone wanted to hear, however John and Kathy have decided to look at a few different chemo options and are also awaiting eligibility for a couple of trials. Kathy said, "They are both very similar....so in my basic lingo the trials genetically modify John's t-cells to be able to attack the cancer cells....kind of like an immunization created just for him. We probably will not have information on whether he is eligible or not for about two weeks. Since we originally thought he would be starting chemo this week, we are happy with the extra "time off" from treatment. The kids are crazy busy with swimming right now and it has been fun going to all of their meets and see their continued improvement and successes!"
Despite the nuisance of this disease the kids continue to grow and be active. They have had to experience some not so fun things in life but their lives are very real and filled with so many blessings and God's infinite grace! Kathy said, "We are so grateful for all the wonderful, kind things that so many have done….meals, treats, play dates, rides here and there, wine, shoulders to cry on, hospital visits, keeping me company while John in surgery, looking out for our family and most importantly, unyielding prayers!!! The vividness of God's love truly radiates at the most unlikely times and is beautiful---you are all continually in our prayers of thanksgiving!"
Follow John's Caring Bridge site
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shirkhope
How Can You Help?
Throughout John's battle with Synovial Sarcoma John and Kathy have made efforts to keep their kids lives as normal as possible-from school activities, to homework, sports, and friends. John recently told two friends at lunch that he would like to give Kathy a break from everything. He said he would like to take her and the kids to Florida to experience Disney World and the beach. That was the original reason my family and I wanted to raise money. In my conversation with Kathy about the most recent treatment options I learned that if John is accepted into a trial that there will most likely be additional travel and medical expenses incurred by them personally.
The goal has been set not knowing what amount of financial assistance will be needed. We would like the money to be there when John and Kathy need it. There isn't a deadline, please give when and what you can.
Thank you!
John was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma; a rare form of cancer which usually occurs near to the joints of the arm, neck or leg. It is one of the rarest forms of soft tissue cancer. The good news was that they felt it was localized. His chest looked good and it had not moved to the lungs. The down side was that this is a rare cancer that can be aggressive and already had time on its side because of misdiagnosis. The treatment includes a bit of everything: chemotherapy, chemotherapy/radiation combo, and surgery. The end of the second week since diagnosis took them to the University of Minnesota. John added a PET scan, more blood work, and heart scan to his list of diagnostics work.
In April of 2013 John had a surgery to remove 3 tumors in his left lung; two synovial sarcoma and one benign. Recovery went well and the family jumped back into "normal" life that required frequent checkups with the oncologist.
In May of 2014, six weeks after a previous checkup John returned to the doctor. He started experiencing pain while trying to get deep breaths. The doctors found that another tumor rapidly growing on the left lung again was causing the pain while breathing. Surgery was again scheduled but this time was a little more invasive and they needed to remove a portion of two ribs. John has a gortex patch to maintain his chest wall integrity. He received 6 cycles of chemo over the summer however some continued growth and a new growth near the aorta halted chemo. After several visits with surgeons, radiation doctors, and oncologists, John had another surgery.
January 2015, it has been five years since John was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma. John has recovered from his surgery; occasionally he has a few twinges of pain. John and Kathy saw his surgeon and oncologist over the past couple of weeks and, as Kathy says "are planning his next battle plan." Unfortunately, his recent chest CT has new tumor growth on his left lung as well as the existing tumor on his right lung has grown. This is not the news anyone wanted to hear, however John and Kathy have decided to look at a few different chemo options and are also awaiting eligibility for a couple of trials. Kathy said, "They are both very similar....so in my basic lingo the trials genetically modify John's t-cells to be able to attack the cancer cells....kind of like an immunization created just for him. We probably will not have information on whether he is eligible or not for about two weeks. Since we originally thought he would be starting chemo this week, we are happy with the extra "time off" from treatment. The kids are crazy busy with swimming right now and it has been fun going to all of their meets and see their continued improvement and successes!"
Despite the nuisance of this disease the kids continue to grow and be active. They have had to experience some not so fun things in life but their lives are very real and filled with so many blessings and God's infinite grace! Kathy said, "We are so grateful for all the wonderful, kind things that so many have done….meals, treats, play dates, rides here and there, wine, shoulders to cry on, hospital visits, keeping me company while John in surgery, looking out for our family and most importantly, unyielding prayers!!! The vividness of God's love truly radiates at the most unlikely times and is beautiful---you are all continually in our prayers of thanksgiving!"
Follow John's Caring Bridge site
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shirkhope
How Can You Help?
Throughout John's battle with Synovial Sarcoma John and Kathy have made efforts to keep their kids lives as normal as possible-from school activities, to homework, sports, and friends. John recently told two friends at lunch that he would like to give Kathy a break from everything. He said he would like to take her and the kids to Florida to experience Disney World and the beach. That was the original reason my family and I wanted to raise money. In my conversation with Kathy about the most recent treatment options I learned that if John is accepted into a trial that there will most likely be additional travel and medical expenses incurred by them personally.
The goal has been set not knowing what amount of financial assistance will be needed. We would like the money to be there when John and Kathy need it. There isn't a deadline, please give when and what you can.
Thank you!
Organizer
Kelly Branscomb
Organizer
Lakeville, MN
