Help Andrew Beat Cancer
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Hi, I'm Andrew Matney. Thanks so much for visiting my page. It's not easy to share this...it's exposing and unlike anything I've done in the past. But I also feel like sharing my story can help me, and can potentially help others.
I would be honored if you would watch my video and read my story below. I recommend watching the video on YouTube so you can watch it in full screen to see the photos better. Here is a link to the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56CtIgVVOTA
I want to beat cancer and stay alive.
Please help me with that goal.
Thank you,
Andrew
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MY STORY
Diagnosis
I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in August, 2013. That’s when the oncologist told my family I had 3 weeks to live. It's a miracle I'm alive today. It is difficult to put into words the journey I've been on over the past 2 years.
I went into what I thought was scheduled surgery to remove my gallbladder. I had stomach pain for a few weeks, and after procedural scans and tests, it was determined I needed to have my gallbladder removed. When I awoke from this surgery, I was told that I had colon cancer which spread to my liver and lymph nodes. They removed my appendix, gallbladder, and five feet of my colon. I also woke up with a colostomy bag, which filled me with feelings of shame. The oncologist told my family I had a 5% chance of survival. The physicians explained that they wanted to start me on chemotherapy within the next six weeks, if I was still alive. About six weeks later I started my first round of FOLFOX with Avastin, common chemotherapy drugs used to treat colon cancer. This entailed going into the infusion room at the Cancer Center for a full day of chemo, and then being connected to a mobile drip bag for the following 46 hours. A round would last about two and a half days and happened every other week.
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"For surgery, this is as big as it gets."
I’ve had 2 HIPEC surgeries since my initial surgery / diagnosis.
HIPEC stands for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. It’s a controversial, high-risk surgery that can help increase long-term chances of survival. In my case, the HIPEC entailed tumor removal and soaking my organs in heated chemotherapy drugs for 10 hours the first surgery, and 5 hours the second surgery. I’ll never forget when the surgeon said "In terms of surgery, this is as big as it gets."
After my first HIPEC surgery and 6 more rounds of chemotherapy, I was officially in remission from May to Nov, 2014. Then in November, I had a relapse. I was on the phone with my oncologist when he told me he found a tumor on my liver. I decided to do more chemotherapy and another HIPEC surgery after I relapsed.
After my second HIPEC, I suffered a cavity wound in my stomach which is still healing. I pack it twice a day and visit my local wound clinic each week, sometimes 2-3 times per week. One month after surgery, Alexis and I were visiting New York to explore a clinical trial when I ended up in the hospital with an emergency bowel obstruction and an NG tube down my nose and into my stomach for 3 days. Luckily Alexis' family lives in New Jersey, and they helped us a great deal. All in all, there were some complications from my HIPEC surgeries, but I believe they helped me in ways I don't yet fully comprehend, and I am so happy I was a candidate for this surgery.
Currently I am being monitored for cancer growth every two months with CAT scans.
----
How I live my life with cancer
Sometimes it's difficult for me to be as social as I was in the past. Just thinking about cancer while trying to keep myself whole, while I deal with it…it's difficult. It can be really isolating, and especially difficult integrating myself into social situations that I once more easily fit into, such as hanging out with with friends, or even eating out, where my new way of eating can limit me at restaurants.
But I’m learning to be present when I’m down, sick or scared. I’m focusing on not waiting or thinking that when this is over, I can live. My life is now and I have even managed to fall in love. I met my girlfriend Alexis when I was in remission, and she has been by my side through this journey. Before I had cancer, I didn't want to have children. Now, I can't wait to start a family. I am so grateful for the love and support I receive from Alexis, my family, and my group of friends. They help me cope, and they are helping me beat cancer.
----
Overview of Financial Needs
I have had the help of the very best insurance I could find and yet it does not cover everything.
Surgeries
Surgery #1 August 25, 2013: Costs totaled $22,000 for emergency flights, food, hotels and car rental.
Surgery #2 January 15, 2014: Costs totaled $7,000 for food, hotels and transportation.
Surgery #3 March 2, 2015: Costs totaled $6,200 for food, hotels and transportation.
Medicine
Since being diagnosed, my family and I have spent $16,000 on medicine. This includes supplements to help combat the side effects of chemotherapy.
Next steps: Mt. Sinai Clinical Trial
I'm involved in a clinical trial in New York at Mt. Sinai Hospital. This is not a free trial. It will cost to be a part of this trial, and it will cost to travel. I will need to spend several weeks there while they sequence my DNA. It's an innovative study which focuses on tailored individualized cancer treatment based on one's DNA and cancer pattern, rather than a "one size fits all" approach which is common in standard of care. I am a good candidate for this study, because I'm young and other than the cancer, otherwise in good health. I had an initial consultation with the overseeing physician who is managing the study, and she seems very hopeful for my case. They are currently working on getting board approval for the genetics counseling, and once they do, I expect to frequently travel to New York where they will sequence my DNA, and test a series of drugs to come up with a successful chemotherapy drug "cocktail."
My family and I are aggressively pursuing this type of treatment and we're also researching immunotherapy and other types of forward-thinking treatment. We believe there will be a major breakthrough in cancer treatment in the next 5 years. It is my belief that I will be cured.
Please help me beat cancer, stay alive, and help to be a part of an innovative study that can potentially help find a cure for cancer. I would be honored if you can help and share my story. I also welcome prayers; I believe they have helped me stay alive.
With gratitude,
Andrew
I would be honored if you would watch my video and read my story below. I recommend watching the video on YouTube so you can watch it in full screen to see the photos better. Here is a link to the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56CtIgVVOTA
I want to beat cancer and stay alive.
Please help me with that goal.
Thank you,
Andrew
----
MY STORY
Diagnosis
I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in August, 2013. That’s when the oncologist told my family I had 3 weeks to live. It's a miracle I'm alive today. It is difficult to put into words the journey I've been on over the past 2 years.
I went into what I thought was scheduled surgery to remove my gallbladder. I had stomach pain for a few weeks, and after procedural scans and tests, it was determined I needed to have my gallbladder removed. When I awoke from this surgery, I was told that I had colon cancer which spread to my liver and lymph nodes. They removed my appendix, gallbladder, and five feet of my colon. I also woke up with a colostomy bag, which filled me with feelings of shame. The oncologist told my family I had a 5% chance of survival. The physicians explained that they wanted to start me on chemotherapy within the next six weeks, if I was still alive. About six weeks later I started my first round of FOLFOX with Avastin, common chemotherapy drugs used to treat colon cancer. This entailed going into the infusion room at the Cancer Center for a full day of chemo, and then being connected to a mobile drip bag for the following 46 hours. A round would last about two and a half days and happened every other week.
----
"For surgery, this is as big as it gets."
I’ve had 2 HIPEC surgeries since my initial surgery / diagnosis.
HIPEC stands for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. It’s a controversial, high-risk surgery that can help increase long-term chances of survival. In my case, the HIPEC entailed tumor removal and soaking my organs in heated chemotherapy drugs for 10 hours the first surgery, and 5 hours the second surgery. I’ll never forget when the surgeon said "In terms of surgery, this is as big as it gets."
After my first HIPEC surgery and 6 more rounds of chemotherapy, I was officially in remission from May to Nov, 2014. Then in November, I had a relapse. I was on the phone with my oncologist when he told me he found a tumor on my liver. I decided to do more chemotherapy and another HIPEC surgery after I relapsed.
After my second HIPEC, I suffered a cavity wound in my stomach which is still healing. I pack it twice a day and visit my local wound clinic each week, sometimes 2-3 times per week. One month after surgery, Alexis and I were visiting New York to explore a clinical trial when I ended up in the hospital with an emergency bowel obstruction and an NG tube down my nose and into my stomach for 3 days. Luckily Alexis' family lives in New Jersey, and they helped us a great deal. All in all, there were some complications from my HIPEC surgeries, but I believe they helped me in ways I don't yet fully comprehend, and I am so happy I was a candidate for this surgery.
Currently I am being monitored for cancer growth every two months with CAT scans.
----
How I live my life with cancer
Sometimes it's difficult for me to be as social as I was in the past. Just thinking about cancer while trying to keep myself whole, while I deal with it…it's difficult. It can be really isolating, and especially difficult integrating myself into social situations that I once more easily fit into, such as hanging out with with friends, or even eating out, where my new way of eating can limit me at restaurants.
But I’m learning to be present when I’m down, sick or scared. I’m focusing on not waiting or thinking that when this is over, I can live. My life is now and I have even managed to fall in love. I met my girlfriend Alexis when I was in remission, and she has been by my side through this journey. Before I had cancer, I didn't want to have children. Now, I can't wait to start a family. I am so grateful for the love and support I receive from Alexis, my family, and my group of friends. They help me cope, and they are helping me beat cancer.
----
Overview of Financial Needs
I have had the help of the very best insurance I could find and yet it does not cover everything.
Surgeries
Surgery #1 August 25, 2013: Costs totaled $22,000 for emergency flights, food, hotels and car rental.
Surgery #2 January 15, 2014: Costs totaled $7,000 for food, hotels and transportation.
Surgery #3 March 2, 2015: Costs totaled $6,200 for food, hotels and transportation.
Medicine
Since being diagnosed, my family and I have spent $16,000 on medicine. This includes supplements to help combat the side effects of chemotherapy.
Next steps: Mt. Sinai Clinical Trial
I'm involved in a clinical trial in New York at Mt. Sinai Hospital. This is not a free trial. It will cost to be a part of this trial, and it will cost to travel. I will need to spend several weeks there while they sequence my DNA. It's an innovative study which focuses on tailored individualized cancer treatment based on one's DNA and cancer pattern, rather than a "one size fits all" approach which is common in standard of care. I am a good candidate for this study, because I'm young and other than the cancer, otherwise in good health. I had an initial consultation with the overseeing physician who is managing the study, and she seems very hopeful for my case. They are currently working on getting board approval for the genetics counseling, and once they do, I expect to frequently travel to New York where they will sequence my DNA, and test a series of drugs to come up with a successful chemotherapy drug "cocktail."
My family and I are aggressively pursuing this type of treatment and we're also researching immunotherapy and other types of forward-thinking treatment. We believe there will be a major breakthrough in cancer treatment in the next 5 years. It is my belief that I will be cured.
Please help me beat cancer, stay alive, and help to be a part of an innovative study that can potentially help find a cure for cancer. I would be honored if you can help and share my story. I also welcome prayers; I believe they have helped me stay alive.
With gratitude,
Andrew
Organizer
Andrew Matney
Organizer
Bozeman, MT
