In June 2014 Alec was seen by his General Medical Doctor for an ulcer type wound on his face.  They told him to keep it clean and uncovered.  A culture was taken and no evidence of infection was found.  The ulcer on his face grew to a size large enough to place your entire thumb into it and he was told to continue to keep it clean and uncovered.  This went on for a year and the advice from his doctor was always the same...keep it clean and uncovered.    

Alec returned to the GP and requested a referral to a specialist.  The GP was surprised that this hadn't already been done.  After two months, he was referred to a Wound Clinic in Lodi.  He went once a week for the wound to be cleaned.  He inquired as to why they would not be scraping the wound to encourage tissue growth and the doctor there told him we suspect it's Cancer so we don't want to scrape it.  The Wound Clinic was attempting to get a referral to a skin dermatologist for a biopsy.  We got three referrals and none would take Alec's *case*.   The Doctor said he saw this all the time at the Wound Clinic where he treated many people with similiar Ulcers.  Some of them were diabetic and were on aid, they were older with limited insurances.  He explained that the biopsy would show where the cancer is and if it was cancer....they couldn't do much except clean the wound as it needed a biopsy.   

Alec has Anthem Blue Cross.  This is not the Insurance that most places that do biopsies like because as we understand it doesn't pay well.    He was turned down for a biopsy for three months by three different surgery centers.  The wound continued to grow bigger. 

During a routine visit to the Wound Clinic in Lodi, the office girl came into the room with a yellow post it note.  She said, "I have a referral for you Alec, this place will take your case for the biopsy.   Another referral?  possibly another turn down?  No it wasn't. 

Alec had the biopsy finally two weeks ago, and it revealed that he does have cancer in his face.  It is called Squmish Cell Carcinoma.  By now, it has traveled into his lymph nodes and salvia glands.  We will know more about where it has traveled during the next four Surgeries.

Alec's first Surgery Date is Monday, October 12, 2015 and there are three more dates scheduled after that.  Should they find any surprises when they get in there they will schedule accordingly.  The first surgery is with a Dermatology Surgeon.  She will preform a *mote* surgery taking out all of the surface cancer.  Two more surgeries are scheduled after that and the final one is with a Surgeon to take out the Lymph Glands and the Salivia Glands.   They have a plastic surgeon on board for facial reconstruction and I don't understand all of the rest.  

A team of doctors call a Multi disciplanary Team met last week and reviewed Alec's Case.  They have made plans together as a team of how to handle the surgeries.  This is all we know now.

I hope I've explained it all to you my dear friends.  There are so many expenses and will be as time moves forward.  It's expensive to travel from Amador County to San Francisc o for Radiology and medical exams.  Surgery will requiry more expenses over and above what the Anthem Blue Cross might pay.  Staying over night in the City is expensive as well.  Transportation back and forth is another expense.  All of this was not anticipated and there is no place to get this kind of money. 

We appreciate any donation you might be able to offer.  We are embarassed to ask but need to.   Please know that we appreciate any donation you might be able to give and a big thank you for your help. 

Sincerely, The Baird Family