- J
- J
- M
Hello! My name is Eric Stauth. I currently reside in Las Vegas. I am an elementary math teacher and love my job. I have been teaching for 12+ years. I have a Master’s in Special Education and I am currently working on a Master’s in Elementary Mathematics Education. I have been married to my strong, supportive and loving wife for almost 13 years. We have two superbly intelligent and wonderful daughters, ages 4 and 12. About a week before my 39th birthday, I got news that will forever change my life.
Here is my story:
I was born with a congenital heart defect. I did not have a tricuspid valve (the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle). This left me with a single ventricle and one working side of my heart. After several procedures when I was a toddler, I had my first operation, the Fontan procedure. This was in the early 80s, when I was 3 years old. I was lucky to live most of my life as if I had a full heart.
In 2006, I started having issues. My right atrium grew too big and I experienced atrial fibrillation (non-stop, rapid heartbeat). Because of this, I had to have a second operation, the Fontan Revision. Both of my surgeries were done at UCLA by the same surgeon almost 22 years apart to the day.
I had always thought the worst was behind me, but now, as one of the oldest living survivors of the Fontan procedure, I am finding out firsthand what long term effects it can have on the body. In 2018, after a routine heart cath and liver biopsy, I was told I had cirrhosis of the liver. This scarring of the liver led to my most recent diagnosis: Liver Cancer.
On September 21st, I was experiencing abdominal pain. After blood tests and an ultrasound ruled out appendicitis and gallbladder issues, a CT scan was done. This showed there was a 9cm (about 4 inches) tumor on my liver. I was not expecting what they told me. I was admitted to the hospital so they could run some tests. A blood test for Alpha Fetoprotein, a cancer marker, was conducted. My levels were greatly elevated. Also, a triple-phase CT scan was done and showed a more in depth view of the tumor. Both of these confirmed my fears. It was cancer.
Due to my complicated anatomy, I need to be treated by a team of experts including a cardiologist, surgeon, and oncologist. So in many ways, I’m back to where this story started: UCLA. This time it’s at the Liver Cancer Center.
A recent MRI revealed the tumor is in both lobes of my liver and is sitting on a major vein. I have to undergo treatment to control the tumor. This treatment will begin next week. I will travel almost every week from my home in Las Vegas to UCLA for the foreseeable future. I have been admitted into a clinical trial. This research will not only be beneficial for me, but will benefit those in my situation in the future and will include extensive testing and treatment including CT scans, endoscopies, blood work every week, and chemo infusions. I will also need a trans-arterial chemoembolization either in late November/early December to shrink the tumor in hopes to qualify it for surgery.
I have not worked in over a month. My wife was laid-off in April due to a reduction in force at the school due to Covid-19. Her unemployment benefit ran out a few weeks ago. She is not able to go back to work due to our 12 year-old daughter doing distance learning at home. Our 4 year-old has also been home from daycare. My wife has also been taking care of me and making sure that I am doing well. She has also driven me to all of my appointments in California.
I am going out on a limb and asking for help, which is something that is humbling to me. Your support will help ease our minds during this unexpected journey. The diagnosis is physically and emotionally taxing and timing is less than ideal amidst a global pandemic. Any assistance will help with medical costs, travel/lodging costs, and the costs associated with keeping a roof over our heads and the lights on as we navigate the road ahead.
I am dedicated to living. I have much to live for. I am grateful for every day that I am here. I am fully focused on staying healthy and living much longer than this diagnosis might suggest. I WILL get through this and see my daughters grow older. They WILL get to have their father around. I am not giving up on my dreams.
I appreciate any support that is given, big or small. Words of encouragement and positive vibes are definitely appreciated. While the next few months are sure to have their challenges, I am hopeful.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank YOU so very much for being a part of my journey.
Namaste
Here is my story:
I was born with a congenital heart defect. I did not have a tricuspid valve (the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle). This left me with a single ventricle and one working side of my heart. After several procedures when I was a toddler, I had my first operation, the Fontan procedure. This was in the early 80s, when I was 3 years old. I was lucky to live most of my life as if I had a full heart.
In 2006, I started having issues. My right atrium grew too big and I experienced atrial fibrillation (non-stop, rapid heartbeat). Because of this, I had to have a second operation, the Fontan Revision. Both of my surgeries were done at UCLA by the same surgeon almost 22 years apart to the day.
I had always thought the worst was behind me, but now, as one of the oldest living survivors of the Fontan procedure, I am finding out firsthand what long term effects it can have on the body. In 2018, after a routine heart cath and liver biopsy, I was told I had cirrhosis of the liver. This scarring of the liver led to my most recent diagnosis: Liver Cancer.
On September 21st, I was experiencing abdominal pain. After blood tests and an ultrasound ruled out appendicitis and gallbladder issues, a CT scan was done. This showed there was a 9cm (about 4 inches) tumor on my liver. I was not expecting what they told me. I was admitted to the hospital so they could run some tests. A blood test for Alpha Fetoprotein, a cancer marker, was conducted. My levels were greatly elevated. Also, a triple-phase CT scan was done and showed a more in depth view of the tumor. Both of these confirmed my fears. It was cancer.
Due to my complicated anatomy, I need to be treated by a team of experts including a cardiologist, surgeon, and oncologist. So in many ways, I’m back to where this story started: UCLA. This time it’s at the Liver Cancer Center.
A recent MRI revealed the tumor is in both lobes of my liver and is sitting on a major vein. I have to undergo treatment to control the tumor. This treatment will begin next week. I will travel almost every week from my home in Las Vegas to UCLA for the foreseeable future. I have been admitted into a clinical trial. This research will not only be beneficial for me, but will benefit those in my situation in the future and will include extensive testing and treatment including CT scans, endoscopies, blood work every week, and chemo infusions. I will also need a trans-arterial chemoembolization either in late November/early December to shrink the tumor in hopes to qualify it for surgery.
I have not worked in over a month. My wife was laid-off in April due to a reduction in force at the school due to Covid-19. Her unemployment benefit ran out a few weeks ago. She is not able to go back to work due to our 12 year-old daughter doing distance learning at home. Our 4 year-old has also been home from daycare. My wife has also been taking care of me and making sure that I am doing well. She has also driven me to all of my appointments in California.
I am going out on a limb and asking for help, which is something that is humbling to me. Your support will help ease our minds during this unexpected journey. The diagnosis is physically and emotionally taxing and timing is less than ideal amidst a global pandemic. Any assistance will help with medical costs, travel/lodging costs, and the costs associated with keeping a roof over our heads and the lights on as we navigate the road ahead.
I am dedicated to living. I have much to live for. I am grateful for every day that I am here. I am fully focused on staying healthy and living much longer than this diagnosis might suggest. I WILL get through this and see my daughters grow older. They WILL get to have their father around. I am not giving up on my dreams.
I appreciate any support that is given, big or small. Words of encouragement and positive vibes are definitely appreciated. While the next few months are sure to have their challenges, I am hopeful.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank YOU so very much for being a part of my journey.
Namaste