Cowboy's Third Cancer Battle

Once again, cancer has struck one of the most beloved faces in the Mount Washington Valley. On April 1st, Cowboy was diagnosed with cancer for the third time. The first two times, he sailed through the storm and emerged with flying colors; this time it’s a whole different ball game.

A routine scan revealed a rapidly growing tumor on a lymph node near his kidney.

The wonderful oncology team at Memorial Hospital and Maine Med consulted with the country's leading expert on recurring testicular cancer. It has been decided that the best course of action is a toxic amount of chemotherapy. Radiation is not an option because of the high levels he received in past treatments. Surgery isn’t ideal either; removing the tumor would involve removing his kidney.

Cowboy started his chemo on May 12th. This involves sitting in a chair 5 days a week for about 5 hours a day. The next week is a recovery week when he spends most of the days in the hospital receiving fluids and a daily Filgrastim injection to help his blood count recover. After his last round of chemo, his white blood cell count was at 0.8 (normal range is 4,000 to 11,00). This has left him completely exhausted and highly susceptible to illness and infection. For these two weeks, he can only leave the house for hospital visits and has to wear a mask at all times. This pattern is expected to continue for 6 more rounds through September. His next round of chemo will start on June 2nd.

He is handling this curveball in typical Cowboy style - he still wears his smile and keeps the nurses giggling with his (awful) jokes. Unfortunately, this grueling schedule of chemo and recovery has left him exhausted and immunocompromised, hence unable to work very much. He can work about 4 shifts a month due to the treatment/recovery cycles and physical toll on his body.

Cowboy has always been the one to offer positivity, smiles, laughter, and kindness to anyone he meets. If he’s served you a drink, waited on your table, or amused your children with a magic trick, you know the man is nothing but kind and caring. Bills are starting to pile up and money is short due to his inability to do what he loves.

Any donations to help him move forward through this extremely difficult time is beyond greatly appreciated. Let’s help him get well and back behind the bar! We have a GoFundMe, Venmo, and an Amazon Wish list will be pinned to the top of this page. We immensely appreciate any and all kindness in helping him through this struggle.

Thank you all so much!

XO