BRAD STRONG

37 year old Brad Patton was diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer in late 2016. At that moment his life was forever changed.  After many doctor appointments the decision was made to remove his testicle. In February of 2017 doctors performed an Orchiectomy. This was the first time Brad had ever had surgery. He went through it like a trooper and further testing seemed hopeful. His tumor markers all looked good! He was even able to return to work. Brad routinely had blood work done to keep an eye on things. 

A few months later Brad had noticed a lump in his abdomen, blood work showed that tumor markers were up. The lump was a lymph node. Doctors then decided to start chemotherapy. He went for another surgery to have a port put in his chest to administer the chemotherapy. Brad underwent a very vigorous treatment. Chemotherapy 5 days a week for 16 weeks! As you can imagine he was unable to work during this time. This put a huge strain on his financial situation. However Brad did not want a pity party, he didn’t want to borrow money, he didn’t want his situation to effect his closest family and friends. He tried applying for Social Security and was denied.  He also tried applying for a loan and was denied. The time eventually came to where he would except a little help from family and friends. He was able to get through the rounds of chemotherapy. All though it was not easy. He was weak, nauseas, and sick everyday. He lost all his hair and one of the chemo medications left him with scars on the entire right side of his body. Just before Thanksgiving 2017 Brad was finished with chemotherapy!! Soon after he got up the strength to again return to work. Only on light duty, as he works in stucco industry.

A routine scan in January 2018 showed some spots on Brad’s lungs. He was then referred to a specialist in Orlando. That doctor recommended surgery to remove the questionable spot. After many more appointments, scans, and bloodwork, his doctors here in Port Saint Lucie agreed that he should have the surgery. On March 19, 2018 Brad went in for yet another surgery, Lung Resection. They removed the questionable area. Brad remained in good spirits after surgery. In fact he was feeling great and ready to return to work once again.

On April 10, 2018 Brad went back to Orlando for a follow up appointment from the lung surgery. While in the waiting room Brad suffered a seizure. He was found to have yet another tumor. This time it was on his brain. Surgery was immediately scheduled for the next day. As I write this Brad is home from the hospital, recovering from brain surgery. He will now be on seizure medication for the rest of his life and is unable to even drive for 6 months. Radiation treatments to his brain will begin in the coming weeks. Life is going to get extremely hard. The bills are rolling in. Brad ever returning to work is questionable. 

I ask for you to please help my friend in any way you can. Big or small. He is a great person and has always been there for all his friends and family. It’s time we return the favor.