#EdsArmy Against Throat Cancer
Donation protected
A Friday not too long ago, my mom showed up at my house without calling first. It’s highly unusual for her, so I knew something was wrong. She went on to tell me my dad has throat cancer. They found a lump a few weeks prior, and the specialist had just confirmed their fear, but specifics on the cancer were still unknown.
The following week I went with my parents for surgery to biopsy and debulk the tumor so my dad could swallow. A PET scan was scheduled the following week, and we remained confident it did not spread. Pathology took longer than normal, but we were all hopeful of the original plan discussed: radiation and chemo to kill it.
That next Monday, my dad went to work and was laid off. Nothing like getting kicked when you’re down, but as a family, my siblings and I vowed to figure it out with my parents. A few days later I went with my dad back to Froedert in Milwaukee and was completely blindsided. The pathology finally came back, and we were told my dad has a rare cancer called synovial sarcoma. It’s even more rare to be found in the throat, far less than 1% chance rare.
This cancer cannot be killed with radiation and chemo, so the only option to save my Dad’s life is a total laryngectomy with a tissue transplant to reconstruct his throat. This will require my dad to have a breathing stoma and Tracheoesophageal Puncture (TEP) that he’ll use to eventually learn to talk again. Surgery is scheduled for September 6th. After he recovers my dad will have many, many months of speech therapy to regain a voice, and eventually radiation to hopefully prevent possible recurrence.
By the grace of God, the cancer has not spread anywhere else, and my Mom’s company was able to quickly get my dad insured so he won’t have a lapse in coverage. He will also be able to get disability because of this, but in the mean time, my parents are down to just one income.
I started this GoFundMe for two reasons: my parents won’t ask, and after working in a cancer center for many years, I know exactly what kind of bills are going to pile up quickly. My dad has worked all his life and doesn’t ask for anything.
Thank you in advance for any donation and/or prayer you’re able to provide. My family and I appreciate it more than we could ever put into words.
The following week I went with my parents for surgery to biopsy and debulk the tumor so my dad could swallow. A PET scan was scheduled the following week, and we remained confident it did not spread. Pathology took longer than normal, but we were all hopeful of the original plan discussed: radiation and chemo to kill it.
That next Monday, my dad went to work and was laid off. Nothing like getting kicked when you’re down, but as a family, my siblings and I vowed to figure it out with my parents. A few days later I went with my dad back to Froedert in Milwaukee and was completely blindsided. The pathology finally came back, and we were told my dad has a rare cancer called synovial sarcoma. It’s even more rare to be found in the throat, far less than 1% chance rare.
This cancer cannot be killed with radiation and chemo, so the only option to save my Dad’s life is a total laryngectomy with a tissue transplant to reconstruct his throat. This will require my dad to have a breathing stoma and Tracheoesophageal Puncture (TEP) that he’ll use to eventually learn to talk again. Surgery is scheduled for September 6th. After he recovers my dad will have many, many months of speech therapy to regain a voice, and eventually radiation to hopefully prevent possible recurrence.
By the grace of God, the cancer has not spread anywhere else, and my Mom’s company was able to quickly get my dad insured so he won’t have a lapse in coverage. He will also be able to get disability because of this, but in the mean time, my parents are down to just one income.
I started this GoFundMe for two reasons: my parents won’t ask, and after working in a cancer center for many years, I know exactly what kind of bills are going to pile up quickly. My dad has worked all his life and doesn’t ask for anything.
Thank you in advance for any donation and/or prayer you’re able to provide. My family and I appreciate it more than we could ever put into words.
Organizer
Toni Sullivan
Organizer
Kenosha, WI
