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PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR BRIAN AS HE ENDURES HIS 2ND JOURNEY WITH CANCER. WE ALL KNOW THAT BRIAN IS THE "CHILLI PEPPER" KING, AND OUR DEAR FRIENDS CREATED THE DESIGN FOR THIS T-SHIRT...TWEEDIE STRONG!! $15/shirt....
On April 8, 2013, Brian was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma....it began in his tonsil and spread to his lymph nodes. He had surgery to remove the lymph nodes in his neck, and was to have a follow up tonsil removal surgery. But then the complications began. He developed multiple pulmonary embolisms which were more life threatening than the cancer. Next step, after he was stabilized, was the surgery for the filter, inserted into his groin, so that future (let's hope not!!) blood clots to his lower extremities would be caught. But no such filter could catch blood clots that could affect his upper body, so surgery for the tonsil was longer an option. This meant "full on" radiation and 7 weekly chemos, of which me made it through 6, with only one hospitalization during that course. He was unable to eat, but still avoided the feeding tube. As the summer months rolled on, he began to rebuild his strength and finally went back to work . By this point, all sick time, and benefits were exhausted. LOTS of fun medical bills. (During this time, I was in the midst of my frivolous law suit because I changed companies and was starting over professionally.)
We got the GREAT NEWS in Oct. 2013 that Brian had a CLEAR PET scan, and there was NED (no evidence of disease)!! There was another scan scheduled for about 6 months out, and we were thinking we were in the clear and time to put this chapter behind us.
NOT SO MUCH! One year, one week, & one day later, in April of 2014, Brian was in the ER with severe back pain. The cancer had returned. It was now on his liver, lungs, 2 places in in spine, and in his left shoulder (bones). He spent about a week in the hospital, and they surgically installed his port once again. The following week, weekly chemo sessions began. His CAT scan this month (June) showed the spots on the liver were smaller, "stable" on the lungs, and no clear info on the bones.
Up until now, he was receiving a combo of 3 chemo drugs. Now, just two, and the one that was the most difficult to endure is the one eliminated!! This has made a HUGE difference and he feels SO much better. Hoping he will be able to work more than just a few hours each week now.
He's had to step down from his management position, with a smaller salary. He in fact "almost" lost his job because his hospital stay was "unapproved" time off!! Co-workers/friends, fought for him to stay, and it worked!! He has NO sick time, and no short or long term disability.
We have not lost faith. We have MUCH to be thankful for....and LIFE WILL GO ON. Our friends are simply the best!! That would be YOU, the one reading this now....
Our story continues...............♥ JT #TweedieStrong
On April 8, 2013, Brian was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma....it began in his tonsil and spread to his lymph nodes. He had surgery to remove the lymph nodes in his neck, and was to have a follow up tonsil removal surgery. But then the complications began. He developed multiple pulmonary embolisms which were more life threatening than the cancer. Next step, after he was stabilized, was the surgery for the filter, inserted into his groin, so that future (let's hope not!!) blood clots to his lower extremities would be caught. But no such filter could catch blood clots that could affect his upper body, so surgery for the tonsil was longer an option. This meant "full on" radiation and 7 weekly chemos, of which me made it through 6, with only one hospitalization during that course. He was unable to eat, but still avoided the feeding tube. As the summer months rolled on, he began to rebuild his strength and finally went back to work . By this point, all sick time, and benefits were exhausted. LOTS of fun medical bills. (During this time, I was in the midst of my frivolous law suit because I changed companies and was starting over professionally.)
We got the GREAT NEWS in Oct. 2013 that Brian had a CLEAR PET scan, and there was NED (no evidence of disease)!! There was another scan scheduled for about 6 months out, and we were thinking we were in the clear and time to put this chapter behind us.
NOT SO MUCH! One year, one week, & one day later, in April of 2014, Brian was in the ER with severe back pain. The cancer had returned. It was now on his liver, lungs, 2 places in in spine, and in his left shoulder (bones). He spent about a week in the hospital, and they surgically installed his port once again. The following week, weekly chemo sessions began. His CAT scan this month (June) showed the spots on the liver were smaller, "stable" on the lungs, and no clear info on the bones.
Up until now, he was receiving a combo of 3 chemo drugs. Now, just two, and the one that was the most difficult to endure is the one eliminated!! This has made a HUGE difference and he feels SO much better. Hoping he will be able to work more than just a few hours each week now.
He's had to step down from his management position, with a smaller salary. He in fact "almost" lost his job because his hospital stay was "unapproved" time off!! Co-workers/friends, fought for him to stay, and it worked!! He has NO sick time, and no short or long term disability.
We have not lost faith. We have MUCH to be thankful for....and LIFE WILL GO ON. Our friends are simply the best!! That would be YOU, the one reading this now....
Our story continues...............♥ JT #TweedieStrong
Organizer
Judy Moss Tweedie
Organizer
Winter Park, FL
