I tell him “Someone has to be first! Someone has to be the first to beat brain cancer, and with the grace of God it could be you”.
My name is Debbie Kittle and I am asking for donations and prayers to help my husband, Mike Kittle, get continued cancer treatment. Mike has been valiantly battling brain cancer for almost 10 years. Recently his cancer became very aggressive, chemotherapy is not working and has been suffering multiple seizures weekly, (11 seizures in last 3 weeks, 3 of which required ER visits). His speech has been greatly affected by having so many seizures. There are very few treatment options available but we were able to find one called Optune Therapy that has had successful results. I have had to take a leave from work so financial help is needed for medical and living expenses. Please support in any way you can.
MIKES JOURNEY
It was our worst nightmare hearing the words that you never want to hear “the cancer is back”. It is heartbreaking to have to repeat those same words to your loved ones, especially your children, and to look into the faces of your precious grandchildren.
The nightmare continued down that scary path you never wanted to walk again with doctors saying “you must have another brain surgery ASAP and chemotherapy again”. After surgery you find yourself deeper into this endless nightmare with the news that the “cancer has progressed to Grade 4 final stage brain cancer”. Again you are in a fight for your life against a ruthless enemy called cancer.
Originally diagnosed in 2007, with many prayers, positive attitude, and our Lord Jesus, my husband Mike survived surgery, radiation, and 3 years of chemotherapy. After 6 ½ years of remission, in a blink of an eye our lives were forever changed. In Sept 2014 Mike had a grand mal seizure. Just like the first time, there were no warning signs of anything wrong. He was getting regular MRI’s every 6 months showing he was cancer free. Tragically we learned the cancer once again has reared its ugly head, this time with a vengeance.
MRI showed a new Oligoastrocytoma malignant brain tumor in his left frontal lobe directly behind the extraction area of the first tumor. It was large in size and very close to his speech/motor cortex. His second brain surgery brought on complications in recovery forcing him to remain in the hospital for 3 weeks. Recovery took a year, working diligently to regain what speech and processing functions he could. However, could not recover enough to be able to return to work. He had to stop working from a job he held for 30 years, a job he enjoyed working alongside a family of friends.
He has kept his positive attitude throughout this second battle for his life. Even when treatment progressed to high dosages of intravenous chemo that he suffered serious side effects from. After following a rigorous treatment schedule we would hold our breath at every MRI. Upon completion of the MRI that would reveal if chemo was working, Mike had a server seizure and they had to call a code blue.
My heart sank as it was at that same moment I learned the code blue was for Mike. He had not stopped breathing yet but was turning blue as he couldn’t catch his breath. As they rushed him to ER I ran alongside him talking him through the seizure, reminding him how to breathe. He recovered and ten minutes later went into a second seizure. Thankful to God that doctors allowed me back in the room to talk him through this seizure. Shortly thereafter we received the MRI results. Your entire body becomes numb as doctors begin to talk. There is just no way to prepare yourself to hear those dreaded words every cancer patient and their families fears the most “treatment is not working” and “the cancer continues to spread”. Since this time Mike has continued to suffer from multiple seizures on a weekly basis.
This journey has been very difficult, emotional and stressful time for him and our family. No one fights alone and Mike currently fights cancer alongside his consent campaign, our dog Lacey, who was diagnosed with final stage bladder cancer in March. Sadly last year we lost our dog Jake suddenly to abdominal cancer. Mike finds the motivation to continue to fight on from his faith in God, and the love of family and friends. Now we need help to continue his fight.
OPTUNE THERAPY & MEDICAL COSTS:
Surgery and radiation are not an option as they would cause more harm than good. Mike does not qualify for most clinical trials due to type of tumor, quantity of tumors, size or location. However, found one trial we are starting called Novocure Optune Therapy an FDA approved trial. Doctors will combine this therapy with a different chemo drug cocktail. This therapy has had highly successful trial results in preventing the spread of cancer cells. A transducer array cap sends electric fields through the brain that interfere with cell structure which disrupts the cell division, preventing cells from dividing and multiplying. However, it is an electronic medical device worn 90% of the time, so is very expensive. Cost to insurance is $17000 monthly (if insurance accepts it estimate at minimal 10% copay). We have applied to be part of a trial study to subsidize cost, but even if accepted various medical testing and RX medication costs will continue to increase. Medical insurance does cover many clinical trials as they are considered experimental and are too expensive nor does it cover some necessary testing (Ex: not covered MRS (MRI with Spectroscopy) $800 – considered experimental). There are high out of pocket copays for what is covered. Expensive chemo drugs (10 pills $200 - $300 monthly depending on dosage ($100/mg) / Intravenous chemo weekly $350), anti-seizure medications (appx $300 (RX $Cost various with each new RX to try to stop the seizures, and medical testing ($Cost various by test). Medical expenses have been piling up and are more then we can afford.
ABOUT MIKE
Mike believes in God and has strong faith. This year he celebrated a mile stone 50th birthday. He is a wonderful husband, caring father to our 3 sons and Pa (grandfather) to our soon to be 6 grandsons. He’s so excited to meet our 6th grandson, Emmet, due to arrive in November. Mikes courageous fight and optimistic “I got this” attitude has been an inspiration to us all.
To best describe the type of person Mike is would be best done by sharing one of many proudest moments as his wife. After his first surgery and almost a year into treatment we were shopping for a winter hat for me. Of course, not long into it Mike just couldn’t help himself and had to begin goofing around with the hats. A woman in her sixties was tying on hats and one look at Mike wearing a silly hat had her laughing. As he joked around and chatted with her, she told him the reason she needed a hat was that she had a brain tumor and was getting surgery. Tears began to roll down her face. Mike wiped away her tears and told her that he had the same surgery a year before. He gave her a hug with words of encouragement saying things like “you will be alright, look at me, I’m doing great after surgery!” he asked her to feel his scar and said “see your hair will grow back just like mine did and it will hide your scar”. He proceeded in telling her “you are going to be ok, I know you are. Be positive and trust that God will take care of you just like he did me”. We could see a look of relief and peacefulness come over her. Her sprits lifted after learning his story. He then helped her pick out a hat. She gave us both a hug and told me what a wonderful husband I had and how much better she felt about surgery. I couldn’t have been more proud of the compassion my husband gave to her. Afterwards Mike said he felt that he was led directly to her, in that place, at that particular moment because she need someone to remind her to have faith. I think he was right. I feel so blessed to have witness such a special faithful moment between two strangers.
We don’t know Gods plan for us but are following in the path in front of us. Someone has to be the first to beat brain cancer, and with the grace of God it could be Mike. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and any help you can provide.
My name is Debbie Kittle and I am asking for donations and prayers to help my husband, Mike Kittle, get continued cancer treatment. Mike has been valiantly battling brain cancer for almost 10 years. Recently his cancer became very aggressive, chemotherapy is not working and has been suffering multiple seizures weekly, (11 seizures in last 3 weeks, 3 of which required ER visits). His speech has been greatly affected by having so many seizures. There are very few treatment options available but we were able to find one called Optune Therapy that has had successful results. I have had to take a leave from work so financial help is needed for medical and living expenses. Please support in any way you can.
MIKES JOURNEY
It was our worst nightmare hearing the words that you never want to hear “the cancer is back”. It is heartbreaking to have to repeat those same words to your loved ones, especially your children, and to look into the faces of your precious grandchildren.
The nightmare continued down that scary path you never wanted to walk again with doctors saying “you must have another brain surgery ASAP and chemotherapy again”. After surgery you find yourself deeper into this endless nightmare with the news that the “cancer has progressed to Grade 4 final stage brain cancer”. Again you are in a fight for your life against a ruthless enemy called cancer.
Originally diagnosed in 2007, with many prayers, positive attitude, and our Lord Jesus, my husband Mike survived surgery, radiation, and 3 years of chemotherapy. After 6 ½ years of remission, in a blink of an eye our lives were forever changed. In Sept 2014 Mike had a grand mal seizure. Just like the first time, there were no warning signs of anything wrong. He was getting regular MRI’s every 6 months showing he was cancer free. Tragically we learned the cancer once again has reared its ugly head, this time with a vengeance.
MRI showed a new Oligoastrocytoma malignant brain tumor in his left frontal lobe directly behind the extraction area of the first tumor. It was large in size and very close to his speech/motor cortex. His second brain surgery brought on complications in recovery forcing him to remain in the hospital for 3 weeks. Recovery took a year, working diligently to regain what speech and processing functions he could. However, could not recover enough to be able to return to work. He had to stop working from a job he held for 30 years, a job he enjoyed working alongside a family of friends.
He has kept his positive attitude throughout this second battle for his life. Even when treatment progressed to high dosages of intravenous chemo that he suffered serious side effects from. After following a rigorous treatment schedule we would hold our breath at every MRI. Upon completion of the MRI that would reveal if chemo was working, Mike had a server seizure and they had to call a code blue.
My heart sank as it was at that same moment I learned the code blue was for Mike. He had not stopped breathing yet but was turning blue as he couldn’t catch his breath. As they rushed him to ER I ran alongside him talking him through the seizure, reminding him how to breathe. He recovered and ten minutes later went into a second seizure. Thankful to God that doctors allowed me back in the room to talk him through this seizure. Shortly thereafter we received the MRI results. Your entire body becomes numb as doctors begin to talk. There is just no way to prepare yourself to hear those dreaded words every cancer patient and their families fears the most “treatment is not working” and “the cancer continues to spread”. Since this time Mike has continued to suffer from multiple seizures on a weekly basis.
This journey has been very difficult, emotional and stressful time for him and our family. No one fights alone and Mike currently fights cancer alongside his consent campaign, our dog Lacey, who was diagnosed with final stage bladder cancer in March. Sadly last year we lost our dog Jake suddenly to abdominal cancer. Mike finds the motivation to continue to fight on from his faith in God, and the love of family and friends. Now we need help to continue his fight.
OPTUNE THERAPY & MEDICAL COSTS:
Surgery and radiation are not an option as they would cause more harm than good. Mike does not qualify for most clinical trials due to type of tumor, quantity of tumors, size or location. However, found one trial we are starting called Novocure Optune Therapy an FDA approved trial. Doctors will combine this therapy with a different chemo drug cocktail. This therapy has had highly successful trial results in preventing the spread of cancer cells. A transducer array cap sends electric fields through the brain that interfere with cell structure which disrupts the cell division, preventing cells from dividing and multiplying. However, it is an electronic medical device worn 90% of the time, so is very expensive. Cost to insurance is $17000 monthly (if insurance accepts it estimate at minimal 10% copay). We have applied to be part of a trial study to subsidize cost, but even if accepted various medical testing and RX medication costs will continue to increase. Medical insurance does cover many clinical trials as they are considered experimental and are too expensive nor does it cover some necessary testing (Ex: not covered MRS (MRI with Spectroscopy) $800 – considered experimental). There are high out of pocket copays for what is covered. Expensive chemo drugs (10 pills $200 - $300 monthly depending on dosage ($100/mg) / Intravenous chemo weekly $350), anti-seizure medications (appx $300 (RX $Cost various with each new RX to try to stop the seizures, and medical testing ($Cost various by test). Medical expenses have been piling up and are more then we can afford.
ABOUT MIKE
Mike believes in God and has strong faith. This year he celebrated a mile stone 50th birthday. He is a wonderful husband, caring father to our 3 sons and Pa (grandfather) to our soon to be 6 grandsons. He’s so excited to meet our 6th grandson, Emmet, due to arrive in November. Mikes courageous fight and optimistic “I got this” attitude has been an inspiration to us all.
To best describe the type of person Mike is would be best done by sharing one of many proudest moments as his wife. After his first surgery and almost a year into treatment we were shopping for a winter hat for me. Of course, not long into it Mike just couldn’t help himself and had to begin goofing around with the hats. A woman in her sixties was tying on hats and one look at Mike wearing a silly hat had her laughing. As he joked around and chatted with her, she told him the reason she needed a hat was that she had a brain tumor and was getting surgery. Tears began to roll down her face. Mike wiped away her tears and told her that he had the same surgery a year before. He gave her a hug with words of encouragement saying things like “you will be alright, look at me, I’m doing great after surgery!” he asked her to feel his scar and said “see your hair will grow back just like mine did and it will hide your scar”. He proceeded in telling her “you are going to be ok, I know you are. Be positive and trust that God will take care of you just like he did me”. We could see a look of relief and peacefulness come over her. Her sprits lifted after learning his story. He then helped her pick out a hat. She gave us both a hug and told me what a wonderful husband I had and how much better she felt about surgery. I couldn’t have been more proud of the compassion my husband gave to her. Afterwards Mike said he felt that he was led directly to her, in that place, at that particular moment because she need someone to remind her to have faith. I think he was right. I feel so blessed to have witness such a special faithful moment between two strangers.
We don’t know Gods plan for us but are following in the path in front of us. Someone has to be the first to beat brain cancer, and with the grace of God it could be Mike. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and any help you can provide.