Join Johnny's Fight-Multiple Myeloma #JohnnyStrong
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Whether you know Johnny as a husband, father, brother, son, friend or co-worker; everyone would agree he is a hard worker who is always there for others no matter the time of day.
I know him as an amazing and devoted husband to my big sister Theresa, a role model to my 7 year old nephew, a loving uncle to my son and a big brother who just fits so well in our family.
In February 2019 after having emergency surgery, Johnny was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma which is a cancer that develops in abnormal plasma cells.
Little Back Story:
Back in November 2018, Johnny was complaining about back pain which was thought to initially be a pulled muscle from starting the snow blower. X-rays revealed he had pneumonia and a strained muscle. Pain persisted for months, he returned to the doctors multiple times; every time he was seen he was told “a pulled muscle will need time to heal”. One visit he was even treated with cough medicine to help him sleep at night, long after the pneumonia was treated and he wasn’t even coughing. Another he was treated for a sinus infection. But the consistent answer about the pain was “a pulled muscle will need time to heal”. Theresa knew something much more serious was going on when he started losing feeling from the waist down and had no movement of his right leg. When Johnny and my sister pushed for more testing, the doctors reluctantly agreed to a CT scan which showed “aneurysmal bone cysts” on his spine. Finally, the doctors believed Johnny and the pain he had been in and ordered an MRI and also a consult with a neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, they were told by their insurance company that further tests were "not a medical necessity".
Johnny and Theresa fought tirelessly with his doctors and their insurance company until thankfully he was seen by Dr. Dirisio, a neurosurgeon on Wednesday, February 20th. After being seen Dr. Dirisio and his P.A. Karen; they made sure Johnny and Theresa didn’t walk out of their office without having a MRI scheduled and approved by insurance. Friday, February 22nd Johnny had the MRI done and no sooner did they leave the hospital, the P.A. called them to have Johnny brought back down to their offices immediately to be admitted and scheduled for emergency surgery. The MRI showed that these spots which were originally diagnosed as “cysts” were tumors invading his vertebrae and also spinal column.
Day of Surgery:
There were no guarantees that Johnny was going to regain any feeling or control of his leg again, in fact the surgeon told Theresa the exact opposite moments before going into surgery; he said “I want you to be prepared, he might have permanent paralysis as a result of the surgery, but you know this surgery has to be done.” Johnny went in to emergency surgery on Saturday at 3:15pm and surgery ended around 8:30pm, at 11:20pm we finally was able to see him.
When the surgery was over, Dr. Dirisio came out and told Theresa the surgery was successful!
They were able to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord and he was miraculously moving his right leg and he seemed very positive that he would start to regain feeling. This was amazing news which was quickly followed up with heart shattering news that the tumors were malignant.
Post-Surgery Hospital Stay:
Johnny had a pretty full schedule after surgery of PT & OT and a heck of a lot of visitors! He had to wear a back brace as support to help with the rods that were placed to stabilize his spine. Johnny moved off of the spinal unit on February 27th and admitted to the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. He was able to start getting out of bed, taking steps and even started walking with use of a walker. Johnny crushed every hard task they threw his way. He had some setbacks including a blood clot but after having a filter (stent) screen placed on March 12th he was able to get back to his daily PT & OT schedule.
Finally Home:
Johnny came home on March 18th. Since being home, he is currently walking like a champ with a little bit of help from a cane and was recently told he didn’t need to wear his back brace anymore! Johnny’s been going to Austin’s baseball games, attending some family parties, church when he’s up for it and hanging outside enjoying the nice weather. Everyone has good days and rough ones; Johnny has a very structured schedule between medication, doctor appointments, physical therapy, tests, radiation and chemotherapy. Daily life has changed for Johnny and Theresa. He still has not been cleared to drive and has been given a reassessment date of November. The doctors told Johnny he might be able to return to work in January 2020, but it wouldn’t be in the same capacity he’s been used to his entire life. Even though Johnny’s had so many major life changes and has a long bumpy road ahead of him, he has been getting stronger each day and continues to fight!
Treatment:
Johnny has completed ten radiation treatments, and is currently in his 4th cycle of chemotherapy. He is preparing for a stem cell transplant, which will be the biggest hurdle yet. He’ll need repeat MRI scans, a second PET scan and another bone marrow biopsy. He’ll have to have an apheresis catheter placed (like a port) for stem cell collection, reinfusion, blood transfusions and IV antibiotics. Johnny will have to undergo two days of very strong chemotherapy infusions to make sure all the bad cells are flushed from his body, before he is reinfused with his own stem cells. Luckily this can all be done at Albany Med in an outpatient capacity, but he will have to travel to the stem cell unit daily for the first 28 days. They have been told to expect the worst symptoms yet. Johnny’s blood counts and platelets will drop to zero. He will have no immunity to fight any infections. He will become homebound for 90 days post-transplant; the first 28 days requiring 24 hour care which Theresa and Johnny’s mom are prepared to do. Daily visits to the stem cell unit for bloodwork, IV fluid replacements, and possible transfusions will be necessary during those 28 days. They are told that it could take up to 14 days after transplant for the stem cells to reattach and begin working again, which will eventually bring his blood counts back up. By day 100 post-transplant he should be feeling back to “normal” – and that he’s finally in REMISSION!
The Kaniff Family:
In my sister’s words, “John is strong. John is a fighter. We will make it through this awful chapter in our lives. Instead I write this to remind you to advocate for yourself! Keep fighting until someone listens.”
Theresa knew something was wrong and never gave up. That strength is what I believe is the strongest thing about their family. They are so strong together and know they are going to overcome anything thrown at them. With the good and the bad they have the strength of family, friends and God on their side.
With Johnny being out of work, normal life bills and on top of all the new and highly needed expenses it is just going to get harder financially. Johnny and my sister have a million other important things to spend time worrying about other than how to get something paid.
Johnny would drop anything to help someone in need and now that is what I am asking for him. On behalf of their beautiful family, please consider any donation that you can because anything that could help them spend more time with each other while they battle this together is worth it. I know they would be grateful beyond words.
#NeverStopFighting #BeYourOwnAdvocate #JohnnyStrong #MultipleMyeloma #CancerSucks
I know him as an amazing and devoted husband to my big sister Theresa, a role model to my 7 year old nephew, a loving uncle to my son and a big brother who just fits so well in our family.
In February 2019 after having emergency surgery, Johnny was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma which is a cancer that develops in abnormal plasma cells.
Little Back Story:
Back in November 2018, Johnny was complaining about back pain which was thought to initially be a pulled muscle from starting the snow blower. X-rays revealed he had pneumonia and a strained muscle. Pain persisted for months, he returned to the doctors multiple times; every time he was seen he was told “a pulled muscle will need time to heal”. One visit he was even treated with cough medicine to help him sleep at night, long after the pneumonia was treated and he wasn’t even coughing. Another he was treated for a sinus infection. But the consistent answer about the pain was “a pulled muscle will need time to heal”. Theresa knew something much more serious was going on when he started losing feeling from the waist down and had no movement of his right leg. When Johnny and my sister pushed for more testing, the doctors reluctantly agreed to a CT scan which showed “aneurysmal bone cysts” on his spine. Finally, the doctors believed Johnny and the pain he had been in and ordered an MRI and also a consult with a neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, they were told by their insurance company that further tests were "not a medical necessity".
Johnny and Theresa fought tirelessly with his doctors and their insurance company until thankfully he was seen by Dr. Dirisio, a neurosurgeon on Wednesday, February 20th. After being seen Dr. Dirisio and his P.A. Karen; they made sure Johnny and Theresa didn’t walk out of their office without having a MRI scheduled and approved by insurance. Friday, February 22nd Johnny had the MRI done and no sooner did they leave the hospital, the P.A. called them to have Johnny brought back down to their offices immediately to be admitted and scheduled for emergency surgery. The MRI showed that these spots which were originally diagnosed as “cysts” were tumors invading his vertebrae and also spinal column.
Day of Surgery:
There were no guarantees that Johnny was going to regain any feeling or control of his leg again, in fact the surgeon told Theresa the exact opposite moments before going into surgery; he said “I want you to be prepared, he might have permanent paralysis as a result of the surgery, but you know this surgery has to be done.” Johnny went in to emergency surgery on Saturday at 3:15pm and surgery ended around 8:30pm, at 11:20pm we finally was able to see him.
When the surgery was over, Dr. Dirisio came out and told Theresa the surgery was successful!
They were able to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord and he was miraculously moving his right leg and he seemed very positive that he would start to regain feeling. This was amazing news which was quickly followed up with heart shattering news that the tumors were malignant.
Post-Surgery Hospital Stay:
Johnny had a pretty full schedule after surgery of PT & OT and a heck of a lot of visitors! He had to wear a back brace as support to help with the rods that were placed to stabilize his spine. Johnny moved off of the spinal unit on February 27th and admitted to the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. He was able to start getting out of bed, taking steps and even started walking with use of a walker. Johnny crushed every hard task they threw his way. He had some setbacks including a blood clot but after having a filter (stent) screen placed on March 12th he was able to get back to his daily PT & OT schedule.
Finally Home:
Johnny came home on March 18th. Since being home, he is currently walking like a champ with a little bit of help from a cane and was recently told he didn’t need to wear his back brace anymore! Johnny’s been going to Austin’s baseball games, attending some family parties, church when he’s up for it and hanging outside enjoying the nice weather. Everyone has good days and rough ones; Johnny has a very structured schedule between medication, doctor appointments, physical therapy, tests, radiation and chemotherapy. Daily life has changed for Johnny and Theresa. He still has not been cleared to drive and has been given a reassessment date of November. The doctors told Johnny he might be able to return to work in January 2020, but it wouldn’t be in the same capacity he’s been used to his entire life. Even though Johnny’s had so many major life changes and has a long bumpy road ahead of him, he has been getting stronger each day and continues to fight!
Treatment:
Johnny has completed ten radiation treatments, and is currently in his 4th cycle of chemotherapy. He is preparing for a stem cell transplant, which will be the biggest hurdle yet. He’ll need repeat MRI scans, a second PET scan and another bone marrow biopsy. He’ll have to have an apheresis catheter placed (like a port) for stem cell collection, reinfusion, blood transfusions and IV antibiotics. Johnny will have to undergo two days of very strong chemotherapy infusions to make sure all the bad cells are flushed from his body, before he is reinfused with his own stem cells. Luckily this can all be done at Albany Med in an outpatient capacity, but he will have to travel to the stem cell unit daily for the first 28 days. They have been told to expect the worst symptoms yet. Johnny’s blood counts and platelets will drop to zero. He will have no immunity to fight any infections. He will become homebound for 90 days post-transplant; the first 28 days requiring 24 hour care which Theresa and Johnny’s mom are prepared to do. Daily visits to the stem cell unit for bloodwork, IV fluid replacements, and possible transfusions will be necessary during those 28 days. They are told that it could take up to 14 days after transplant for the stem cells to reattach and begin working again, which will eventually bring his blood counts back up. By day 100 post-transplant he should be feeling back to “normal” – and that he’s finally in REMISSION!
The Kaniff Family:
In my sister’s words, “John is strong. John is a fighter. We will make it through this awful chapter in our lives. Instead I write this to remind you to advocate for yourself! Keep fighting until someone listens.”
Theresa knew something was wrong and never gave up. That strength is what I believe is the strongest thing about their family. They are so strong together and know they are going to overcome anything thrown at them. With the good and the bad they have the strength of family, friends and God on their side.
With Johnny being out of work, normal life bills and on top of all the new and highly needed expenses it is just going to get harder financially. Johnny and my sister have a million other important things to spend time worrying about other than how to get something paid.
Johnny would drop anything to help someone in need and now that is what I am asking for him. On behalf of their beautiful family, please consider any donation that you can because anything that could help them spend more time with each other while they battle this together is worth it. I know they would be grateful beyond words.
#NeverStopFighting #BeYourOwnAdvocate #JohnnyStrong #MultipleMyeloma #CancerSucks
Organizer and beneficiary
Danielle Teal
Organizer
Troy, NY
Theresa Kaniff
Beneficiary