In 2016, my dad was diagnosed with head and neck cancer affecting the left side of his nose (squamous cell carcinoma). Doctors tried to remove the cancerous lesion on the nose and reconstruct this area with grafted cartilage and skin. He also received radiation to the area to try to ensure no cancer cells remained. Unfortunately, during a follow-up visit, a CT scan revealed that the cancer had spread to at least two lymph nodes in his neck. Shortly after this finding, surgery was done to remove over 30 lymph nodes. This surgery was mostly successful, but left him with some facial numbness and left arm weakness. 

At a follow-up visit several months later, the cancer was found to have returned on his nose and a series of chemotherapy injections were given. When these injections failed to prevent the cancer from spreading, he had to undergo a second cancer removal surgery, this time taking a larger area of his nose and surrounding area. The doctors could not perform facial reconstruction at the time, opting to wait until all the cancer is gone. This left dad having to wear a bandage on his face at all times. 

In August 2018, while evaluating dad for reconstructive surgery to restore his appearance, the doctors discovered that cancer had returned to the same area of the face.  The aggressive and recurrent nature of this cancer means that now dad may need a bone biopsy, further surgeries for cancer removal and reconstruction, and/or chemotherapy, depending on the results of upcoming PET/CT scans.  Doctors are recommending that he visit a larger cancer treatment center (a few hours away in Philadelphia) because of the multiple treatment failures. There is urgency in making treatment decisions due to how fast this cancer can spread. His current medical insurance will not cover all the necessary procedures.

All donations will go to uncovered medical expenses and travel expenses. 
Thank you for your donations and please keep him in your prayers.