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Hi my name is Craig L Hietpas. In August of 2015, at the age of 40, I was diagnosed with stage III Melanoma. Getting Cancer is the scariest thing that ever happened to me. It not only destroys a person physically, but emotionally and financially. Even with the support of my family and friends it has been extremely difficult to get by.
What started as a mole on the back of my leg, was originally classified as "thin melanoma." It was later found after a biopsy to be in my lymph nodes. After two surgeries to remove the malignant lymph nodes and the surrounding nodes, I was sent to an Oncologist to discuss treatment. Due to melanoma's aggressive nature and resistance to known treatments and chemotherapy, chances of recurrence was close to 60%. If it were to recur there would be very little chance to stop advancement. Until recently standard treatment was Interferon Alpha, which is a toxic form of chemotherapy. This had little to no success of preventing or curing melanoma.
I sought out a second opinion and found there was a new and successful class of treatment being used at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas. The treatment is called Immunotherapy. This is less toxic than the traditional chemotherapy. The treatment has also shown success of curing melanoma patients with Satge III and Stage IV cancer.
I started with Immunotherapy treatment at MD Anderson in late September, 2015. At the request of my Doctors, I had to remain near the Hospital for treatment. Therefore I needed to stay in an apartment near the Hospital and take a leave of absence from my job. After two months I was able to return home to be with my family. There have been many trying times and setbacks due to side effects. At this time there has been no sign of recurrence. I continue to fly to Houston for treatment and scans which will continue for several years, to increase the chances of success and a healthy recovery for me.
During the course of my treatment medical bills have been accumulating. Along with the battle against cancer, my son Derek who was born in 2004 with a cleft lip and palate has had multiple surgeries. His most recent surgery was in Feburary, 2016 , which is also a part of the accumulating medical bills.
We are overwhelmed with how we are going to manage to pay this enormous debt.
Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Craig L Hietpas
What started as a mole on the back of my leg, was originally classified as "thin melanoma." It was later found after a biopsy to be in my lymph nodes. After two surgeries to remove the malignant lymph nodes and the surrounding nodes, I was sent to an Oncologist to discuss treatment. Due to melanoma's aggressive nature and resistance to known treatments and chemotherapy, chances of recurrence was close to 60%. If it were to recur there would be very little chance to stop advancement. Until recently standard treatment was Interferon Alpha, which is a toxic form of chemotherapy. This had little to no success of preventing or curing melanoma.
I sought out a second opinion and found there was a new and successful class of treatment being used at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas. The treatment is called Immunotherapy. This is less toxic than the traditional chemotherapy. The treatment has also shown success of curing melanoma patients with Satge III and Stage IV cancer.
I started with Immunotherapy treatment at MD Anderson in late September, 2015. At the request of my Doctors, I had to remain near the Hospital for treatment. Therefore I needed to stay in an apartment near the Hospital and take a leave of absence from my job. After two months I was able to return home to be with my family. There have been many trying times and setbacks due to side effects. At this time there has been no sign of recurrence. I continue to fly to Houston for treatment and scans which will continue for several years, to increase the chances of success and a healthy recovery for me.
During the course of my treatment medical bills have been accumulating. Along with the battle against cancer, my son Derek who was born in 2004 with a cleft lip and palate has had multiple surgeries. His most recent surgery was in Feburary, 2016 , which is also a part of the accumulating medical bills.
We are overwhelmed with how we are going to manage to pay this enormous debt.
Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Craig L Hietpas