Helping Steve Kissack Kick Cancer
Donation protected
Hey, everyone.
I'm Brandon, Steve's step-son. My dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer (again), and we've got a difficult fight ahead of us. Please read on to see how you can help support Steve and lift him through his treatment and healing process.
History:
Steve had his first bout with lung cancer in 2010. He had developed pneumonia, and a spot on his left lung was noted in his x-rays. The biopsy determined it to be cancer, and his left upper lobe was removed. He was scheduled for a week stay in the hospital following his surgery. However, the bottom lobe wasn’t adhering properly to the chest wall, so after two weeks they performed a second surgery.
His stay lasted a total of 26 days, followed by several months off work while he recovered. The surgery left him with nerve damage that, 8 years later, has failed to heal, and continues to cause him constant pain.
Over the last 8 years he’s developed pneumonia 6 more times, and this recent round has persisted for nearly 3 months as of this writing. It was during this last illness that his oxygen saturation got so low that he became mentally altered and had to be taken to the emergency room.
So that pretty much brings us to now. They’ve found a 5cm tumor in his right upper lobe, and have determined it to be inoperable, Stage 3 cancer. He’ll begin aggressive chemo and radiation treatments on Monday, Feb 5. His treatment schedule is 5 days a week for at least 7 weeks. At a hospital 70 miles from home.
Feb 26, 2018, getting his port installed.
How You Can Help:
Steve hasn’t been able to work for nearly 3 months due to his pneumonia, and is likely to miss several more weeks during his cancer treatment. Without his income, in the face of mounting medical bills and travel expenses, my parents are currently unable to manage their regular cost of living.
This fund will help Steve and my mother pay their current medical bills and living expenses during Steve’s treatment, as well as assist with costs of traveling back and forth to the hospital.
This won’t begin to touch the mountain of bills ahead of them, but some peace of mind during this process is a place to start.
About Steve:
If you know him, chances are he’s done something to help you out at some point. He’s that kind of guy. He’s a generous, kind, neighborly sort of dude.
He’s a father of two girls, and de facto dad to my sister and me for nearly 30 years. He’s an extremely loving and present figure for his 3 local grandchildren. He’s a hard worker who constantly does for others with no expectation of a favor returned.
He’s a good husband, a provider, and a rare man who believes in and practices the kindness of his Faith. He’s loved deeply by his family, and we’d really like to see him stick around a while longer.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. If you decide to donate, we thank you tremendously in advance for your love and generosity. If you can't donate, please consider sharing on Facebook or via email to friends and family. Heck, share it either way.
No gift is too small, and no number of shares is too great. Every ounce of help is appreciated. Thank you. Together we can help Steve weather this storm.
Steve & Dana Kissack, Cozumel, Mexico, 2012
I'm Brandon, Steve's step-son. My dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer (again), and we've got a difficult fight ahead of us. Please read on to see how you can help support Steve and lift him through his treatment and healing process.
History:
Steve had his first bout with lung cancer in 2010. He had developed pneumonia, and a spot on his left lung was noted in his x-rays. The biopsy determined it to be cancer, and his left upper lobe was removed. He was scheduled for a week stay in the hospital following his surgery. However, the bottom lobe wasn’t adhering properly to the chest wall, so after two weeks they performed a second surgery.
His stay lasted a total of 26 days, followed by several months off work while he recovered. The surgery left him with nerve damage that, 8 years later, has failed to heal, and continues to cause him constant pain.
Over the last 8 years he’s developed pneumonia 6 more times, and this recent round has persisted for nearly 3 months as of this writing. It was during this last illness that his oxygen saturation got so low that he became mentally altered and had to be taken to the emergency room.
So that pretty much brings us to now. They’ve found a 5cm tumor in his right upper lobe, and have determined it to be inoperable, Stage 3 cancer. He’ll begin aggressive chemo and radiation treatments on Monday, Feb 5. His treatment schedule is 5 days a week for at least 7 weeks. At a hospital 70 miles from home.
Feb 26, 2018, getting his port installed.How You Can Help:
Steve hasn’t been able to work for nearly 3 months due to his pneumonia, and is likely to miss several more weeks during his cancer treatment. Without his income, in the face of mounting medical bills and travel expenses, my parents are currently unable to manage their regular cost of living.
This fund will help Steve and my mother pay their current medical bills and living expenses during Steve’s treatment, as well as assist with costs of traveling back and forth to the hospital.
This won’t begin to touch the mountain of bills ahead of them, but some peace of mind during this process is a place to start.
About Steve:
If you know him, chances are he’s done something to help you out at some point. He’s that kind of guy. He’s a generous, kind, neighborly sort of dude.
He’s a father of two girls, and de facto dad to my sister and me for nearly 30 years. He’s an extremely loving and present figure for his 3 local grandchildren. He’s a hard worker who constantly does for others with no expectation of a favor returned.
He’s a good husband, a provider, and a rare man who believes in and practices the kindness of his Faith. He’s loved deeply by his family, and we’d really like to see him stick around a while longer.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. If you decide to donate, we thank you tremendously in advance for your love and generosity. If you can't donate, please consider sharing on Facebook or via email to friends and family. Heck, share it either way.
No gift is too small, and no number of shares is too great. Every ounce of help is appreciated. Thank you. Together we can help Steve weather this storm.
Steve & Dana Kissack, Cozumel, Mexico, 2012Organizer and beneficiary
Brandon Michael Barker
Organizer
Milford, IL
Dana Kissack
Beneficiary
