Help Support James Thornton's Cancer Treatment
Donation protected
In the summer of 2021, amidst the already tumultuous times of the Covid pandemic, our family received devastating news:
James, at just 33 years old, had cancer.
Four different types of colorectal cancer, to be exact, and one of which had already reached stage 3.
After many doctors visits and some examinations, the doctors discovered there were over a thousand polyps in his large intestine. The only choice we had was to have it removed. Thankfully, we were able to get the surgery scheduled before Covid shut down the hospital's operating room. The surgery took 8 hours, and was performed by the best robot-assisted colorectal surgeon in the state of Texas. It was the most terrifying 8-hours of waiting I (Tara) had ever experienced in my life.
He spent 35 days in the hospital, receiving great care, although there were some worrisome ups and downs with allergy rashes and gastrointestinal issues. His quick-wit, snark, and hilarious disposition made him an immediate favorite of the staff, of course!
[Photo of James resting during his 35-day hospital stay.]
[Photo of James taking a Physical Therapist-guided walk during his 35-day hospital stay.]
We were told that in many cases, large intestine removal results in a permanent colostomy bag. Due to his young age and overall great health, his surgeon decided to not go that route - and we cannot express our thanks enough to her for allowing him to live life without that impediment. After 35 days, he was finally deemed stable enough to return home, and complete the rest of his recovery here. The surgery and temporary ostomy bag left scars on his abdomen, which successfully healed over the subsequent weeks.
After further lab tests, it was discovered that the thousand+ polyps were caused by a rare genetic disease called Familial adenomatous polyposis. If left untreated, this disease causes cancers that kill by age 40. This disease is typically passed down hereditarily, but since his parents' genetic tests came back negative, it would seem luck randomly decided he should just have it out of the blue! Doctors confirmed that every one of his offspring would 100% inherit this disease and subsequent cancer-prone life. Additionally, the APC gene mutation caused by FAP makes him more susceptible to future cancers of the pancreas, thyroid, and stomach. Regular screenings and exams will be required for the rest of his life, to ensure any new issues are found and taken care of ASAP.
As of the new year, there are currently no signs of the colorectal cancer metastasizing or any other cancers in other areas of his body.
As of January 5 2022, James is halfway through his chemotherapy treatment course. His last round is estimated to be in April. It has been a very rough time, and exhaustion, hair loss, weight loss, painful nerve issues, high cold intolerance, gastrointestinal issues, and abdominal discomfort have been his constant companions.
While we are currently back to work due to financial necessity, the sudden and large unexpected expense of these medical bills have crushed our family's savings, financial stability, and mental wellbeing. Every other week, James is out of work for multiple days due to the chemo infusion and disconnection appointments, even further reducing our income stability. We were incredibly fortunate to have insurance, so the actual cost was greatly reduced, but the thousands+ out of pocket is still a huge burden for us, despite financial assistance through reductions and Care Credit no-interest payments.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read our story, and for considering supporting us with this unexpected financial burden. If you are unable to donate, we understand, and ask to please consider sharing James' story with your friends and family to spread the word.
Thank you again. <3
All donations will go towards paying off the medical debt accumulated due to James' health issues. All donations received above the medical bills amount will be held in a savings account to be used for his future medical care needs. As we receive more medical bills, the goal amount may change accordingly and we will provide updates. This GoFundMe is an ongoing fundraiser, currently with no planned deadline or end-date.
*** If you have any questions or concerns, please use the Contact button below to send Tara & James Thornton a message. We also accept other donation options/platforms - please message us to discuss. ***
Medical cost breakdowns (Our out of pocket):
2022:
$89.10 = Exams, lab work
$290 = Medication, therapy
$2,762.75 = Chemotherapy treatments, through April.
2021:
$2,359.18 = 35-day hospital stay, large intestine removal, recovery care
$217.72 = Colonoscopy
$2,579.87 = Various exams, MRIs, Dr visits, lab work, etc
Total = $8,298.62
James, at just 33 years old, had cancer.
Four different types of colorectal cancer, to be exact, and one of which had already reached stage 3.
After many doctors visits and some examinations, the doctors discovered there were over a thousand polyps in his large intestine. The only choice we had was to have it removed. Thankfully, we were able to get the surgery scheduled before Covid shut down the hospital's operating room. The surgery took 8 hours, and was performed by the best robot-assisted colorectal surgeon in the state of Texas. It was the most terrifying 8-hours of waiting I (Tara) had ever experienced in my life.
He spent 35 days in the hospital, receiving great care, although there were some worrisome ups and downs with allergy rashes and gastrointestinal issues. His quick-wit, snark, and hilarious disposition made him an immediate favorite of the staff, of course!
[Photo of James resting during his 35-day hospital stay.] [Photo of James taking a Physical Therapist-guided walk during his 35-day hospital stay.]We were told that in many cases, large intestine removal results in a permanent colostomy bag. Due to his young age and overall great health, his surgeon decided to not go that route - and we cannot express our thanks enough to her for allowing him to live life without that impediment. After 35 days, he was finally deemed stable enough to return home, and complete the rest of his recovery here. The surgery and temporary ostomy bag left scars on his abdomen, which successfully healed over the subsequent weeks.
After further lab tests, it was discovered that the thousand+ polyps were caused by a rare genetic disease called Familial adenomatous polyposis. If left untreated, this disease causes cancers that kill by age 40. This disease is typically passed down hereditarily, but since his parents' genetic tests came back negative, it would seem luck randomly decided he should just have it out of the blue! Doctors confirmed that every one of his offspring would 100% inherit this disease and subsequent cancer-prone life. Additionally, the APC gene mutation caused by FAP makes him more susceptible to future cancers of the pancreas, thyroid, and stomach. Regular screenings and exams will be required for the rest of his life, to ensure any new issues are found and taken care of ASAP.
As of the new year, there are currently no signs of the colorectal cancer metastasizing or any other cancers in other areas of his body.
As of January 5 2022, James is halfway through his chemotherapy treatment course. His last round is estimated to be in April. It has been a very rough time, and exhaustion, hair loss, weight loss, painful nerve issues, high cold intolerance, gastrointestinal issues, and abdominal discomfort have been his constant companions.
While we are currently back to work due to financial necessity, the sudden and large unexpected expense of these medical bills have crushed our family's savings, financial stability, and mental wellbeing. Every other week, James is out of work for multiple days due to the chemo infusion and disconnection appointments, even further reducing our income stability. We were incredibly fortunate to have insurance, so the actual cost was greatly reduced, but the thousands+ out of pocket is still a huge burden for us, despite financial assistance through reductions and Care Credit no-interest payments.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read our story, and for considering supporting us with this unexpected financial burden. If you are unable to donate, we understand, and ask to please consider sharing James' story with your friends and family to spread the word.
Thank you again. <3
All donations will go towards paying off the medical debt accumulated due to James' health issues. All donations received above the medical bills amount will be held in a savings account to be used for his future medical care needs. As we receive more medical bills, the goal amount may change accordingly and we will provide updates. This GoFundMe is an ongoing fundraiser, currently with no planned deadline or end-date.
*** If you have any questions or concerns, please use the Contact button below to send Tara & James Thornton a message. We also accept other donation options/platforms - please message us to discuss. ***
Medical cost breakdowns (Our out of pocket):
2022:
$89.10 = Exams, lab work
$290 = Medication, therapy
$2,762.75 = Chemotherapy treatments, through April.
2021:
$2,359.18 = 35-day hospital stay, large intestine removal, recovery care
$217.72 = Colonoscopy
$2,579.87 = Various exams, MRIs, Dr visits, lab work, etc
Total = $8,298.62
Organizer
Tara Thornton
Organizer
Cedar Park, TX