Help One Eye Guy!

2020 has been the most challenging year to date for our family and it's NOT entirely due to COVID-19. Back in February of 2020, our eldest son Guy, was diagnosed with cancer. He developed a tumor on his right cheekbone near his temple which was, after two biopsies, diagnosed as a Spindle Cell Sarcoma. This type of cancer is very rare and even more rarely found on the head and neck and almost never on a patient his age (17).

By the time the tumor was diagnosed, its size had become quite invasive and was positioned such that it pushed on his right eye and began blurring his vision. At our first consultation for surgical treatment, we learned that Guy would likely lose his right eye due to the location of the tumor and to ensure clear margins . We were devastated.

Later that same day, the tumor board team of 25 oncologists proposed proton radiation in hopes of shrinking the tumor, reducing the surgical margins, and saving his eye. We of course were on board. The very same week in mid-March when Covid-19 hit and the initial lockdown began,  Guy and I were off to San Diego for 6 weeks of specialized proton radiation treatment at Rady's Children’s Hospital. Laura and the other three kids remained at home.

Guy endured 25 doses of radiation as well as a multitudes of MRI's, PET scans, X-rays etc.  Unfortunately, proton radiation did not stop the tumor’s growth, and doctors were unable to save his eye.

Surgery required the removal of his right cheekbone, his right eye, some skull bone along his brow, as well as the surrounding tissue and skin including the cheek, eyebrow, eyelid and eye socket structure. A skin flap was harvested from a 12" incision on his left thigh along with tissue and arteries in order to replace what had been taken and add some structure to his now missing cheekbone. Surgery took place in May 2020, two weeks before he was to graduate from high school. It was a successful procedure and margins were clear. He made it through surgery like a champ and he has had a great attitude throughout, but obviously losing nearly half of his face hasn’t been easy on him. 

Post surgery Guy received 4 rounds of chemotherapy with each bringing new challenges and side effects. He finished his last round at the beginning of October 2020, while beginning college remotely from his hospital room. So far so good and latest scan was negative for re-occurrence. 

According to his younger siblings, he is back to being the same pain in the ass that he was in the past.
This is one pain in the ass that I'm happy to have in our lives!

This year, Guy will be undergoing further reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries/procedures as well as continued scans to monitor any changes. Your contribution will help with the cost of past and future treatments to make the most out of an unfortunate situation. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your consideration, and please share with whomever you wish!