Support Dustin's Fight Against Cancer

Hello Everyone. This is Kayla, Beth’s sister. Beth has decided that this would be the easiest way to share Dustin’s story with the world. A lot of individuals have reached out and asked how they can help Beth and Dustin during this time. Beth has agreed that this would be the best/easiest way. Beth and Dustin have been together for eight years, having a blended family they have raised six children together, which is the greatest joy of their lives.

In the beginning of July, Dustin was involved in a freak accident. During some routine tests during his hospital stay, a “spot” in his right lung was found. That spot was later biopsied in October, showing malignancy “adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer.”

On December 6th, Dustin’s upper right lobe was removed at Barnes in St. Louis. Surgery was successful, but future treatment was still necessary. After many weeks of healing from his lung surgery and oncology appointments, Dustin was scheduled to start chemotherapy on February 11th.

On February 10th, Dustin became very ill, out of nowhere. We went to the ER that next morning and after multiple tests, it was discovered that he had a brain bleed in his cerebellum; the cancer had metastasized to the brain. A craniotomy was performed immediately, and the lesions of concern were removed. We stayed at Carle for 5 days in ICU recovering and were able to return home on February 14th.

We had a good few days at home, spending time with the kids, but ended up back in the ER on 2/18, where Dustin tested positive for influenza A, which was a huge setback for him.

On 2/27, we had a post-op appointment for his craniotomy. He had a good day, got all his sutures out, and reviewed some tests that showed he had a stroke somewhere between 2/18 and 2/25. Dustin had very few symptoms of a stroke. We were just as shocked as his neurosurgeon was. He was allowed to come home that day and continue everything as planned to start radiation as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, that same evening when we arrived home, Dustin became very sick again, almost the exact same symptoms he had 3 weeks prior. Back to the ER we went. After some tests, we were informed Dustin, yet again, had another hemorrhage in his cerebellum in the post-surgical site. His neurologist quickly informed me Dustin would have to have another craniotomy to stop the bleeding. We are still in ICU at Carle, as he is recovering. We are currently taking things one day at a time.

With all of this being said, unfortunately, life does not stop at home. With Dustin being sick and Beth taking time off work to be with Dustin during this time, the expenses of hospital stays, traveling back and forth to the hospital and home to the children, it’s just a lot. We know everything is expensive for everyone right now and we are not asking for donations. However, every donation is appreciated very much. We are asking for a miracle; if you could start praying for Dustin and his family, we would appreciate that more than anything at this time.