Bob's Cancer & Spine Surgery Support Fund
Donation protected
This fund raising is in support of Bob Jongsma. Since being diagnosed with cancer over 1.5 years ago Bob has been unable to work. Instead the 1.5 years has been filled with fighting cancer. Now Bob faces one of the biggest most traumatic to the human body surgeries that can be performed. In April 2019 he will have three cancerous vertebrae, part of his spine, removed and reconstructed with metal.
First and foremost, Bob and his family ask for your thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and healing. Bob is a husband, father, and grandfather with much to look forward to. Their oldest daughter had their first grandchild just a couple months before he was diagnosed in 2017 and his grandson was born in December 2018. Their son is planning a fall wedding. Their youngest daughter lives at home with them.
This fund raiser is set up and run by family with hopes of supporting Bob and his wife, Kim, by raising funds to assist with medical expenses, travel to and staying in Chicago, and living expenses. We invite you to read Bob’s very unusual cancer story and support him with prayers for the surgery, recovery, and to consider a donation.
Bob’s story: During the summer of 2017 Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The decision was made to remove the prostrate and surgery was scheduled for late fall 2017. During the pre-surgery testing and physical red flags were noticed that there may be something going on with one of Bob’s kidneys. Bob had suffered from back pain for a long time but since he was a roll-off truck driver for a waste hauler and spent 5 to 6 days a week bouncing around in a truck cab it was assumed that was the cause of his lower back pain. However, the pre-op testing and physical revealed other suspicious issues. Testing and scans revealed a mass in one kidney. Surgery was by this time postponed. Due to a family history of colon/rectal cancer it was decide Bob should have a colonoscopy to ensure all was well since his last colonoscopy. Another mass was found. To everyone’s surprise biopsy’s reveal all three cancers, though occurring at the same time, were not related or the result of the others. Bob had three separate cancer cases occurring at the same time. Something unheard of even to the doctors. The decision was made to remove the prostrate, kidney, and section of colon in January 2018. The surgery was successful and hopes were high that all the cancer had been removed.
Three short months later regular monitoring and scans revealed a mass was growing in the cavity where the kidney had been. The kidney cancer had gotten out. Further testing revealed the mass had spread to Bob’s spine and was damaging vertebrae. Due to the alarming rate of return and growth Bob was referred to Northwestern Memeorial Hospital in downtown Chicago to participate in research studies/treatments as his best option and hope.
Bob was accepted into an autoimmune therapy study and treatment program and began testing and treatments in downtown Chicago. The autoimmune treatments were combined with radiation treatments focused on the cancer invading his spine/vertebrae. The following months were consumed by autoimmune therapy, radiation, and battling/suffering from side effects and back pain. Often the side effects caused delays in treatments until Bob was able to continue. At the end of 2018 it was decided further treatments were put on hold. Bob was suffering side effects, the mass had shrunk significantly and appeared dark (possibly dying), and the cancer in the spine had also shrunk and pulled away from the spinal cord. Positive news concerning the cancer even though Bob still struggled with back pain and side effects. The wait and see time was a needed break.
Then in March 2019 Bob’s next regular monitoring checkup and scan revealed the cancer was growing again in the spine. Bob’s team of doctors conferred and discussed next steps. Bob was no longer able to receive autoimmune treatments due to the side effects. He was still seldom feeling well.
The conclusion was that surgery to remove three cancer infected vertebrae and replace them with metal cages, rods, screws, a collection of hardware, is the best option. They will also remove the mass in the kidney cavity. Bob agreed to the surgery. He has been battling cancer, side effects, and continual back pain for a year and half and is willing to do anything to put an end to the back pain and not feeling well.
Surgery is scheduled for April 4th and 5th, 2019 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. It is a two-day procedure. The first day, Thursday, will be a 12 hour surgery, then a night in ICU, Friday the surgery continues for another 6 to 10 hours. Following surgery there will be days in ICU and at least a 10 stay in the hospital. We will post updates here when there is news to share.
As stated previously, first and foremost Bob and his family ask for your thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery, healing and to be cancer free. Since Bob has been unable to work for nearly 1.5 years while fighting cancer medical expenses, the surgery, and living expenses are a concern.
If Bob could work he would, he always has, rather than ask. He has always worked 5 to 6 days a week to support his family before cancer. He would again if he could.
**Please consider a Donation**
**Any amount will help!! No amount is too small!!**
**Consider helping Bob**
*** Help by SHARE & REPOST ***
Thank you so very much for your interest, taking the time to read Bob’s story, and for your generosity!!!
Bob & Kim Families
*** Help by SHARE & REPOST ***
Bob's family is very grateful for your prayers, support, and generosity and would like to THANK YOU!!!!
Bob had a visit from his grandchildren one week after surgery. Two big reasons why...try everything and anything beat cancer.
Bob watching it snow Sunday. " Is it winter again? How long was I sedated?"
Nope, just Chicago. Back to spring and working on his tan Monday!
First and foremost, Bob and his family ask for your thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and healing. Bob is a husband, father, and grandfather with much to look forward to. Their oldest daughter had their first grandchild just a couple months before he was diagnosed in 2017 and his grandson was born in December 2018. Their son is planning a fall wedding. Their youngest daughter lives at home with them.
This fund raiser is set up and run by family with hopes of supporting Bob and his wife, Kim, by raising funds to assist with medical expenses, travel to and staying in Chicago, and living expenses. We invite you to read Bob’s very unusual cancer story and support him with prayers for the surgery, recovery, and to consider a donation.
Bob’s story: During the summer of 2017 Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The decision was made to remove the prostrate and surgery was scheduled for late fall 2017. During the pre-surgery testing and physical red flags were noticed that there may be something going on with one of Bob’s kidneys. Bob had suffered from back pain for a long time but since he was a roll-off truck driver for a waste hauler and spent 5 to 6 days a week bouncing around in a truck cab it was assumed that was the cause of his lower back pain. However, the pre-op testing and physical revealed other suspicious issues. Testing and scans revealed a mass in one kidney. Surgery was by this time postponed. Due to a family history of colon/rectal cancer it was decide Bob should have a colonoscopy to ensure all was well since his last colonoscopy. Another mass was found. To everyone’s surprise biopsy’s reveal all three cancers, though occurring at the same time, were not related or the result of the others. Bob had three separate cancer cases occurring at the same time. Something unheard of even to the doctors. The decision was made to remove the prostrate, kidney, and section of colon in January 2018. The surgery was successful and hopes were high that all the cancer had been removed.
Three short months later regular monitoring and scans revealed a mass was growing in the cavity where the kidney had been. The kidney cancer had gotten out. Further testing revealed the mass had spread to Bob’s spine and was damaging vertebrae. Due to the alarming rate of return and growth Bob was referred to Northwestern Memeorial Hospital in downtown Chicago to participate in research studies/treatments as his best option and hope.
Bob was accepted into an autoimmune therapy study and treatment program and began testing and treatments in downtown Chicago. The autoimmune treatments were combined with radiation treatments focused on the cancer invading his spine/vertebrae. The following months were consumed by autoimmune therapy, radiation, and battling/suffering from side effects and back pain. Often the side effects caused delays in treatments until Bob was able to continue. At the end of 2018 it was decided further treatments were put on hold. Bob was suffering side effects, the mass had shrunk significantly and appeared dark (possibly dying), and the cancer in the spine had also shrunk and pulled away from the spinal cord. Positive news concerning the cancer even though Bob still struggled with back pain and side effects. The wait and see time was a needed break.
Then in March 2019 Bob’s next regular monitoring checkup and scan revealed the cancer was growing again in the spine. Bob’s team of doctors conferred and discussed next steps. Bob was no longer able to receive autoimmune treatments due to the side effects. He was still seldom feeling well.
The conclusion was that surgery to remove three cancer infected vertebrae and replace them with metal cages, rods, screws, a collection of hardware, is the best option. They will also remove the mass in the kidney cavity. Bob agreed to the surgery. He has been battling cancer, side effects, and continual back pain for a year and half and is willing to do anything to put an end to the back pain and not feeling well.
Surgery is scheduled for April 4th and 5th, 2019 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. It is a two-day procedure. The first day, Thursday, will be a 12 hour surgery, then a night in ICU, Friday the surgery continues for another 6 to 10 hours. Following surgery there will be days in ICU and at least a 10 stay in the hospital. We will post updates here when there is news to share.
As stated previously, first and foremost Bob and his family ask for your thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery, healing and to be cancer free. Since Bob has been unable to work for nearly 1.5 years while fighting cancer medical expenses, the surgery, and living expenses are a concern.
If Bob could work he would, he always has, rather than ask. He has always worked 5 to 6 days a week to support his family before cancer. He would again if he could.
**Please consider a Donation**
**Any amount will help!! No amount is too small!!**
**Consider helping Bob**
*** Help by SHARE & REPOST ***
Thank you so very much for your interest, taking the time to read Bob’s story, and for your generosity!!!
Bob & Kim Families
*** Help by SHARE & REPOST ***
Bob's family is very grateful for your prayers, support, and generosity and would like to THANK YOU!!!!
Bob had a visit from his grandchildren one week after surgery. Two big reasons why...try everything and anything beat cancer.
Bob watching it snow Sunday. " Is it winter again? How long was I sedated?"
Nope, just Chicago. Back to spring and working on his tan Monday!
Organizer and beneficiary
Lizabeth Jongsma
Organizer
Wheaton, IL
Kimberly Jongsma
Beneficiary
