Lipka Family Fund
Donation protected
Mitch has recently been diagnosed with a rare cancer, soft tissue sarcoma. Doctors have told us the disease is incurable and so our focus right now as a family is on prolonging the time he has with his 11-year-old twins, and managing the disease as best as possible.
On May 19, Mitch underwent surgery for removal of a painless mass on his abdominal wall that was presumed to be benign. He subsequently broke his fibula the next day. The pathology of the tumor proved malignant, however, and he was diagnosed with the kind of cancer we thought could be excised and stay away forever. We then met with a sarcoma expert at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and Mitch began a series of scans while we tried to maintain normalcy in our children's lives at they celebrated Father's Day, attended end of year celebrations, recitals and graduated from elementary school.
On June 30, Mitch had a biopsy of a lung mass that confirmed the sarcoma had already spread. We gave our children the terrible news, planned to start chemotherapy and took a short vacation to Vermont to make memories.
On July 6, at a consult at Dana Farber, an MRI revealed a tumor pressing against his spinal cord. The physicians felt it needed to be removed immediately to prevent pain, loss of functions of the legs and neurological deficits. Mitch was immediately admitted to Brigham and Women's in Boston and had this risky surgery on July 9. He came out of the surgery 100% himself and is on his way back to getting around as he did. Surgery delays the start of chemo and radiation.
After 11 days at the Brigham, he was transferred to Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Westborough and we hope and pray he is on the road to coming home!
As many of you know, Mitch is self-employed as a very successful freelance writer and has been the primary breadwinner for his family. We live modestly and anything extra has always gone to our kids. The financial landscape is tough right now. Medical bills and related expenses are considerable. He will continue to write as long as he possibly can and we'll make it work the best we can. If you would like to help, we are so very grateful.
We have created a Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/Lipkafamily, have a good friend coordinating local assistance for meals and support, and a wonderful family behind us as well. With the encouragement of family friends and co-workers, we created this site.
Please share memories and well wishes on the FB page, which Mitch is able to read from Whittier. Cards can be mailed to our home at 16 Tristan Court, Worcester, MA 01602.
Thank you so much for all of your love and support. It means the world to us.
-Christi and Mitch Lipka
On May 19, Mitch underwent surgery for removal of a painless mass on his abdominal wall that was presumed to be benign. He subsequently broke his fibula the next day. The pathology of the tumor proved malignant, however, and he was diagnosed with the kind of cancer we thought could be excised and stay away forever. We then met with a sarcoma expert at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and Mitch began a series of scans while we tried to maintain normalcy in our children's lives at they celebrated Father's Day, attended end of year celebrations, recitals and graduated from elementary school.
On June 30, Mitch had a biopsy of a lung mass that confirmed the sarcoma had already spread. We gave our children the terrible news, planned to start chemotherapy and took a short vacation to Vermont to make memories.
On July 6, at a consult at Dana Farber, an MRI revealed a tumor pressing against his spinal cord. The physicians felt it needed to be removed immediately to prevent pain, loss of functions of the legs and neurological deficits. Mitch was immediately admitted to Brigham and Women's in Boston and had this risky surgery on July 9. He came out of the surgery 100% himself and is on his way back to getting around as he did. Surgery delays the start of chemo and radiation.
After 11 days at the Brigham, he was transferred to Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Westborough and we hope and pray he is on the road to coming home!
As many of you know, Mitch is self-employed as a very successful freelance writer and has been the primary breadwinner for his family. We live modestly and anything extra has always gone to our kids. The financial landscape is tough right now. Medical bills and related expenses are considerable. He will continue to write as long as he possibly can and we'll make it work the best we can. If you would like to help, we are so very grateful.
We have created a Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/Lipkafamily, have a good friend coordinating local assistance for meals and support, and a wonderful family behind us as well. With the encouragement of family friends and co-workers, we created this site.
Please share memories and well wishes on the FB page, which Mitch is able to read from Whittier. Cards can be mailed to our home at 16 Tristan Court, Worcester, MA 01602.
Thank you so much for all of your love and support. It means the world to us.
-Christi and Mitch Lipka
Organizer
Mitch Lipka
Organizer
Worcester, MA
