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Cory and Katie were just months away from their long awaited wedding date (September 22) when Cory started suffering intense abdominal pain and a low-grade fever. A tough, athletic, "can do" young man of 30, Cory wanted to push through it, but Katie insisted on seeing a doctor immediately. It was a good call. The CT scan revealed a cantaloupe-sized tumor wedged between his large and small intestine. He was sent to surgery almost immediately.
The tumor defied categorization by experts at MD Anderson - arguably the best cancer center in the world -- and other experts around the country who were consulted. Since his lymphatic system and blood work were otherwise clean, and since no other visible signs of tumors were found during surgery, the presumption and hope was that it was benign. As a precaution, however, he was scheduled for a PET scan a few weeks later just to be sure. A week before the scheduled PET scan, however, the pain and the fever returned, and the PET scan was done as soon as possible.
We all knew the scan may reveal bad news, but no one expected the blow that followed. In just a few weeks, not only had the cancer regrown at the same site, but it a spread to his liver and lymphatic system. The diagnosis was Stage IV, unclassified soft-tissue sarcoma - a very rare, very aggressive cancer with a very low survival rate -- statistically less than 5%.
Though 5% sounds dire, the doctor pointed out that it reflected decades of cases and a highly diversified population under study. The don't reflect the most recent advance in treatments, or the relative ages and health of the patients. Cory -- a fit athlete with a joyous sense of life (and a lot of Irish fight in him); supported by Katie, with an equally joyous sense of life, strong will, and character; and surrounded by a very large circle of loving friends and family providing support and prayer (each in their unique way) -- should have a much better chance.
Cory and Katie don't even think in terms of "chances". As Cory puts it, "Each day is a new day, and we will take this one day at a time. " As far as they’re concerned, their wedding is still on Sept. 22. But for legal expediency and spousal access during treatment, they were married in a small family ceremony the day before he started chemo. The small circle of family members who attended saw, and the pictures of the day captured the couples' essence — they are the epitome of love and courage.
We are requesting a large sum in this campaign, not because they are desperate now, but because this is real fight that will likely last for the rest of their lives together. Cory will be hospitalized on and off for weeks during 4 initial rounds of brutal chemo, after which further treatments will follow. At home, he’ll need someone looking after him. Inevitably, the medical bills will pile up, as will things like missed time at work, hired help around the house, the specialized diet Cory will need to adhere to in order to protect his immune system. Given the aggressive nature of this cancer, Cory will require ongoing tests and/or treatment indefinitely. And with the way our healthcare system is evolving, unfortunately for the worse right now, who knows what the costs might be?
Cory and Katie didn't ask us to do this; in fact, they resisted. Being the responsible couple they are, they don't want to burden anyone. Cory is on his company’s disability plan and Katie just accepted a transfer to a hospital downtown that’s closer to where Cory will be treated. They’re both still covered by insurance, they are both still employed. Their financial situation is not desperate, and may not ever be -- and we all hope for that.
Which brings us to the larger reason we are asking for such a large sum. More than money, we believe what they will benefit most from this effort is the certain knowledge that there is an army of family, friends, and members our extended social networks supporting them in this fight, willing to help, and offering their good will and prayers. We believe that this, and peace of mind of not having to worry about potential financial burdens, will shore up Cory's and Katie's hope, optimism, and will to win. We believe it will help them live the long, happy, healthy life together that they both deserve.
Should it become apparent that any excess of funds raised through this effort are not needed, Cory and Katie pledge to donate the balance to support to cancer research or related cause of their choosing.
Help us, help them, to ensure they have the best care possible, and that this extraordinary young couple will live a long, happy life together.
Thank you for your support!
You can follow update’s on Cory’s journey here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/corydardenne
Thank you for your support. You can follow update’s on Cory’s journey here: https://www.caringbridge.org/ visit/corydardenne
The tumor defied categorization by experts at MD Anderson - arguably the best cancer center in the world -- and other experts around the country who were consulted. Since his lymphatic system and blood work were otherwise clean, and since no other visible signs of tumors were found during surgery, the presumption and hope was that it was benign. As a precaution, however, he was scheduled for a PET scan a few weeks later just to be sure. A week before the scheduled PET scan, however, the pain and the fever returned, and the PET scan was done as soon as possible.
We all knew the scan may reveal bad news, but no one expected the blow that followed. In just a few weeks, not only had the cancer regrown at the same site, but it a spread to his liver and lymphatic system. The diagnosis was Stage IV, unclassified soft-tissue sarcoma - a very rare, very aggressive cancer with a very low survival rate -- statistically less than 5%.
Though 5% sounds dire, the doctor pointed out that it reflected decades of cases and a highly diversified population under study. The don't reflect the most recent advance in treatments, or the relative ages and health of the patients. Cory -- a fit athlete with a joyous sense of life (and a lot of Irish fight in him); supported by Katie, with an equally joyous sense of life, strong will, and character; and surrounded by a very large circle of loving friends and family providing support and prayer (each in their unique way) -- should have a much better chance.
Cory and Katie don't even think in terms of "chances". As Cory puts it, "Each day is a new day, and we will take this one day at a time. " As far as they’re concerned, their wedding is still on Sept. 22. But for legal expediency and spousal access during treatment, they were married in a small family ceremony the day before he started chemo. The small circle of family members who attended saw, and the pictures of the day captured the couples' essence — they are the epitome of love and courage.
We are requesting a large sum in this campaign, not because they are desperate now, but because this is real fight that will likely last for the rest of their lives together. Cory will be hospitalized on and off for weeks during 4 initial rounds of brutal chemo, after which further treatments will follow. At home, he’ll need someone looking after him. Inevitably, the medical bills will pile up, as will things like missed time at work, hired help around the house, the specialized diet Cory will need to adhere to in order to protect his immune system. Given the aggressive nature of this cancer, Cory will require ongoing tests and/or treatment indefinitely. And with the way our healthcare system is evolving, unfortunately for the worse right now, who knows what the costs might be?
Cory and Katie didn't ask us to do this; in fact, they resisted. Being the responsible couple they are, they don't want to burden anyone. Cory is on his company’s disability plan and Katie just accepted a transfer to a hospital downtown that’s closer to where Cory will be treated. They’re both still covered by insurance, they are both still employed. Their financial situation is not desperate, and may not ever be -- and we all hope for that.
Which brings us to the larger reason we are asking for such a large sum. More than money, we believe what they will benefit most from this effort is the certain knowledge that there is an army of family, friends, and members our extended social networks supporting them in this fight, willing to help, and offering their good will and prayers. We believe that this, and peace of mind of not having to worry about potential financial burdens, will shore up Cory's and Katie's hope, optimism, and will to win. We believe it will help them live the long, happy, healthy life together that they both deserve.
Should it become apparent that any excess of funds raised through this effort are not needed, Cory and Katie pledge to donate the balance to support to cancer research or related cause of their choosing.
Help us, help them, to ensure they have the best care possible, and that this extraordinary young couple will live a long, happy life together.
Thank you for your support!
You can follow update’s on Cory’s journey here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/corydardenne
Thank you for your support. You can follow update’s on Cory’s journey here: https://www.caringbridge.org/ visit/corydardenne
Co-organizers5
Rick Dardenne
Co-organizer
Thomas Faulkenberry
Co-organizer
Sarah Chappell
Co-organizer
Amy Parker
Co-organizer