Help Chris Beat Cancer

In July '21 Chris and his family got devastating news.

The oncologist says Chris has stage IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The cancer has spread into the lungs, liver and bones.

How we got here:

Chris has a persistent cough and severe chest pain that had been getting worse ever since he had COVID in April. I won’t go into the list of other pains that were building, but much stronger back and side pain had come into the mix in June. Mid-June he went to the doctor for his chest pain and she ordered an x-ray of his lungs. She didn’t see anything to explain the pain, but his diabetes needed a new plan of attack. She changed meds and told him to return in two weeks.

Chris’ chest pain was getting much worse with exertion and we worried he could have a blood clot. He couldn’t manage a slow loop shopping Menards without severe chest pain. He had a follow-up appointment July 1st and his doctor ordered a specific blood test called a d-dimer designed to indicate a clot that came back abnormal. A CT scan designed to see blood clots was performed. The radiologist reported no clots and the cardiologist reported no heart concerns. Instead the radiologist reported multiple ill-defined nodules in the lungs with one 17 x 11 mm mass. In addition, the scan showed a mass on the pancreatic tail of 5.6 x 3.5cm highly suspicious for primary pancreatic malignancy. This led the radiologist to suspect pulmonary metastatic disease, too.

The goal now is to control the cancer and buy time. The doctor is planning to start Chris on aggressive chemotherapy.

Chris and his wife Jen have 3 wonderful children including a special needs child that they have provided a wonderful home for during the past 18 years. You can see Chris and Jen's story as it was portrayed on ABC News. in 2011 https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/bipolar-disorder-child-struggles-mental-illness/story?id=12364480

There is a huge need for Chris and his family to provide treatment, medication for Chris, as well as the ongoing need for their special needs child, and all the day to day needs of a young family that we all take for granted.

#NEVERFOLDEVAVOLD