Jim Zackavec's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Jim and Jennifer Zackavec have been married for 22 years and have a 16 year old daughter Hannah and a 14 year old daughter Grace. Since 2003, Jim has struggled with his health and has seen numerous doctors at multiple hospitals struggling to find a diagnosis. After undergoing test after test, seeing doctor after doctor, and having eight abdominal surgeries, Jim was finally diagnosed with a rare condition called reoccurring benign multi-cystic peritoneal mesothelioma. This reoccurring disease is usually benign but can develop into an aggressive malignant cancer.
In 2012, Jim was referred to The University of Chicago to have a surgery called HIPEC. Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that involves filling the abdominal cavity with heated chemotherapy after the surgeon removes the tumors from the abdomen. This heated chemotherapy kills any cancer cells that remain after the surgery trying to reduce the risk for recurrence. Jim’s surgery lasted eight hours. With this type of cancer, surgery is the only highly effective treatment.
Eighteen months later, Jim’s pain returned and surgery was once again the only option. Jim’s surgeon at The University of Chicago relocated to Texas, so his oncologist recommended a handful of surgeons across the United States. Jim and Jen decided that the doctor at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the best option for them. On September 14th, 2015, Jim had his second HIPEC surgery. This time the surgery lasted twelve hours, and a more aggressive chemotherapy called Cisplatin was used.
Since Jim’s surgery in September, he has struggled with his recovery. He has spent over 75 days both in Froedtert Hospital, and in his local hospital in Morris, IL. Due to prior surgeries and recent chemotherapy, Jim has chronic kidney damage, and currently is receiving TPN (total parenteral nutrition) at home, along with receiving at-home physical therapy and nursing care.
Jen has been by Jim's side each step of the way. She's a teacher at Reed-Custer Primary School, a place she's called home for 22 years. While she really misses seeing her first grade students, she will be taking intermittent medical leave as needed for future hospital stays, for care he might need at home and to go with him to follow-up and diagnostic doctors appointments here in Illinois and in Wisconsin. Jim is currently on long term disability from his job at First Midwest Bank.
We are all optimistic that Jim will make a full recovery but it will be a long difficult road. The medical expences Jim and Jen have taken on are overwhelming. They have been reluctant to ask for this kind of help. As members of their family, we are asking for any donation you can make to help ease their financial pressure. Any support you can give will be deeply appreciated. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
In 2012, Jim was referred to The University of Chicago to have a surgery called HIPEC. Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that involves filling the abdominal cavity with heated chemotherapy after the surgeon removes the tumors from the abdomen. This heated chemotherapy kills any cancer cells that remain after the surgery trying to reduce the risk for recurrence. Jim’s surgery lasted eight hours. With this type of cancer, surgery is the only highly effective treatment.
Eighteen months later, Jim’s pain returned and surgery was once again the only option. Jim’s surgeon at The University of Chicago relocated to Texas, so his oncologist recommended a handful of surgeons across the United States. Jim and Jen decided that the doctor at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the best option for them. On September 14th, 2015, Jim had his second HIPEC surgery. This time the surgery lasted twelve hours, and a more aggressive chemotherapy called Cisplatin was used.
Since Jim’s surgery in September, he has struggled with his recovery. He has spent over 75 days both in Froedtert Hospital, and in his local hospital in Morris, IL. Due to prior surgeries and recent chemotherapy, Jim has chronic kidney damage, and currently is receiving TPN (total parenteral nutrition) at home, along with receiving at-home physical therapy and nursing care.
Jen has been by Jim's side each step of the way. She's a teacher at Reed-Custer Primary School, a place she's called home for 22 years. While she really misses seeing her first grade students, she will be taking intermittent medical leave as needed for future hospital stays, for care he might need at home and to go with him to follow-up and diagnostic doctors appointments here in Illinois and in Wisconsin. Jim is currently on long term disability from his job at First Midwest Bank.
We are all optimistic that Jim will make a full recovery but it will be a long difficult road. The medical expences Jim and Jen have taken on are overwhelming. They have been reluctant to ask for this kind of help. As members of their family, we are asking for any donation you can make to help ease their financial pressure. Any support you can give will be deeply appreciated. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Trudi Kessler
Organizer
La Grange Park, IL
Jim Zackavec
Beneficiary
