Anthony's Cancer Battle

Anthony is a loyal, goofy, loving person who is there for friends and family and doesn't ask for anything in return. He is very hard working and loves his job. 

I can't do justice to describe him. If you know him, you know his querks and goofiness - and his seriousness. You'd know he's got a Disney CD in his car, ready to sing with friends and family. You'd know his smile. Genuine (in the words of a friend on Facebook).

But for all of that, he is now entering a battle with cancer. He has been diagnosed, and has just started treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It is a disease that does not discriminate, and despite his heart to help and be there for others, he needs that now himself. 

Prayers and encouragement are appreciated. At this point, funds will be stretched. Between high out of pocket fees, prescriptions and procedures insurance won't cover,  work loss and all the other unexpected fees...

If you are able, any donation will help. The $6,000 goal will cover a good amount of his out-of-pocket. We aren't looking for everything to be paid for through donations. Anthony would hate that.

We're just hoping to take some of that burden off him, as he goes through this trial. 

He has some money saved up, but between the medical expenses, monthly bills, travel to and from appointments (4+ appointments a week, when he is out of the hospital), food... all of that adds up, especially when considering funds lost from work - work will pay him some while out, but not enough. 

If you want more of the story, and more details of his condition and the current battle with it, read below. 

Please be praying, too, for the second biopsy results. The doctor is still waiting on confirmation that the lymphoma isn't actually two kinds. If it is, this would be bad, and much harder. 

Story:

Throughout the months of Feb and early March 2018 Anthony devolved multiple sicknesses. Ear infections, sinus infection, trouble swallowing, swollen lymph nodes (looked like he had gained a few pounds on the face). 


He went to urgent cares (he never had a primary), and most told him to go home, drink and rest. Likely seasonal things. One gave him antibiotics, which didn't help. Then he started having trouble breathing, and went to an ER. 


That night, the doctor was looking for bronchitis. About 1 am that morning, he messaged me: "It's Lymphoma". 

Anthony had a large mass in his upper chest, surrounding at least two major vessels (aortic arch and vena cava) and his trachea. He was on a job in Tampa at the time, and drove home for treatment. That week he was admitted to the hospital to get all the tests needed run. 


On Friday, March 23rd, 2018 Anthony was diagnosed with Primary-Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma. It is an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin's, and treatment is also aggressive.


5-6 days minimum in the hospital for chemo per cycle. Two weeks off to recover between. The doctors urged haste - as the size, location of the mass and it's aggressive nature meant treatment was needed as soon as possible.


Silver lining was that this form of chemo is typically very good against this cancer. But treatment has to be quick, because its aggressive nature. Prognosis, at least until a few follow up biopsies come back (doctor has to still rule out a second form of lymphoma  - Pray for this, please), looks okay. 


On Monday he had the port put in. For this chemo, the port is the only real viable delivery method. On Wednesday, he checked into the hospital and treatment began on Thursday. 


Complications came on Saturday. He formed a major clot that blocked the port, and chemo backed up under his skin (which is nearly unheard of with ports). This put the chemo on hold for days. More importantly, the damage to the skin from the chemo drugs could have made to port unusable. This would mean no way to get chemo in to fight the cancer. 


Prayers, luck - the damage wasn't what it could, or should have been. Somehow, the blood clot moved or broke within days instead of weeks. Chemo was restarted Wednesday, and so far, no more complications. 


Anthony isn't one to ask for help when he should. But for at least six months he'll be undergoing treatment. Maybe more. Even with insurance, his out of pocket is nearly $7,000. This doesn't include drugs and procedures that aren't covered (there are plenty), transportation (he'll be seeing specialists throughout the state), and loss of income (short term through his work helps for a little while). 


Anything would help. Prayers, encouragement - whatever you can give. Thank you.