"It's been a good ride" - Sam Day
Donation protected
January 11, 2017 will be a day that no one in our family will ever forget. It was the day that the word “CANCER” would become an everyday word in our vocabulary. Sam was diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma; a large tumor was blocking 95% of the lower third of his esophagus. A CT scan also reviled that he had two large tumors, and several smaller, on his liver; a PET scan in late January would later confirm that the cancer had spread to his liver.
In February & March Sam underwent traditional chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the esophageal tumor. He also began seeing a naturopath and added other holistic therapies to his traditional treatments.
Chemo and radiation were very hard on his body; several visits to the ER, a few extended hospital stays lead our family to ask the oncologist for another PET scan to see if the treatments were working. On April 5, 2017 we received the amazing news that not only had the esophageal tumor shrunk, it was GONE! Unfortunately, the two larger liver tumors remained active.
Another round of chemo April 17, 18 & 19 proved to be just too much for his body. He was weakened so much that even the thought of getting up to shower was more than he could take. His body was fighting so hard to rebuild itself after the chemo that, on May 8, when another round of chemo was ordered he asked his oncologist if he could “take some time off”… his oncologist agreed to allow him 30 days to let his body heal from the effects of the chemo. From May 8th until May 17th Sam had some very good days, sadly there were more bad than good. On May 18th he was in so much pain that his naturopath ordered an emergency CT scan. The results were back on May 19th, his liver tumors had grown and there was evidence of the cancer spreading to his lung. The tumors on his liver were causing pain that was so excruciating, he was unable to sit up, walk, eat or even talk.
May 25th Sam was running a fever of 102*, was disoriented and could not walk. The ambulance was called and he was taken to the ER again. Bloodwork indicated he had an infection in his system. There was also another CT scan done of his chest and abdoman, confriming there were spots on his lungs & the two tumors had grown together, forming a 16 cm (6 inches) tumor. He was put on 2 strong IV antibiotics, morphine for pain, as well as, a lidocaine patch for pain over his liver. Pain medication was changed because the morphine began to drop his blood pressure dangerously low. The hospital doctors were not able to identify where his infection was coming from; the conclusion was made that his tumor on his liver had become so large it causing bacteria to “leak” into his gut. May 31st his oncologist came to the hospital to see him. His oncologist told Sam and his family that because of his infection there was “nothing more” his clinic to do because Sam’s immune system was too weak to handle another round of chemo. The oncologist said that another round could “kill him”. Sam was discharged from the hospital and Hospice was called to help him at home.
Our family was referred to a new Integrative Medical Clinic in Scottsdale. (www.envita.com ) June 3rd Sam, Dawn, Kendra and Sammy went to Envita, met with one of the doctors. After the meeting, and understanding that Sam has no other options with traditional treatment to save his life; it was decided to treat him at Envita. The hard part is that because this is an “Integrative” clinic the treatments are NOT covered by his Medicare. While at the clinic Sammy, Kendra and Dawn spoke to patients and nurses; everyone was in the process of HEALING. One man told Sammy that he was in “week 5” of his treatment and the “cancer was going in the right direction”. The estimated cost of this treatment is $100,000. If you know our family you know that we DO NOT like asking for monetary help. However, this is not an ordinary Go Fund Me fundraiser; this is treatment that (most likely) WILL SAVE a LIFE! Not just any life, the life of a man that has given more to his family, his friends, his career and total strangers than anyone else we know. On the day he got the news that his esophageal cancer was gone, he gave a homeless man $100 and told him “I have had a great day… so should you!” This is the ONLY option Sam has now… and we are asking for your help.
All the funds will go directly to his treatment at Envita. He already began treatment on Friday, June 2nd… His treatment will consist of being at the clinic 5 days a week for several hours a day. The cost is roughly $1,500.00 a day. Payment is due the day of treatment; thus we are hoping to raise as much as we can as quickly as we can. This is a TIME SENSITIVE situation… we NEED to get his treatment going 5 days a week to stay ahead of his cancer spreading! Any donation is greatly appreciated, if you are unable to donate please keep send Sam positive healing thoughts, vibes, prayers, whatever you've got! We want to see Sam happy, HEALTHY and CANCER FREE as soon as possible!
In February & March Sam underwent traditional chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the esophageal tumor. He also began seeing a naturopath and added other holistic therapies to his traditional treatments.
Chemo and radiation were very hard on his body; several visits to the ER, a few extended hospital stays lead our family to ask the oncologist for another PET scan to see if the treatments were working. On April 5, 2017 we received the amazing news that not only had the esophageal tumor shrunk, it was GONE! Unfortunately, the two larger liver tumors remained active.
Another round of chemo April 17, 18 & 19 proved to be just too much for his body. He was weakened so much that even the thought of getting up to shower was more than he could take. His body was fighting so hard to rebuild itself after the chemo that, on May 8, when another round of chemo was ordered he asked his oncologist if he could “take some time off”… his oncologist agreed to allow him 30 days to let his body heal from the effects of the chemo. From May 8th until May 17th Sam had some very good days, sadly there were more bad than good. On May 18th he was in so much pain that his naturopath ordered an emergency CT scan. The results were back on May 19th, his liver tumors had grown and there was evidence of the cancer spreading to his lung. The tumors on his liver were causing pain that was so excruciating, he was unable to sit up, walk, eat or even talk.
May 25th Sam was running a fever of 102*, was disoriented and could not walk. The ambulance was called and he was taken to the ER again. Bloodwork indicated he had an infection in his system. There was also another CT scan done of his chest and abdoman, confriming there were spots on his lungs & the two tumors had grown together, forming a 16 cm (6 inches) tumor. He was put on 2 strong IV antibiotics, morphine for pain, as well as, a lidocaine patch for pain over his liver. Pain medication was changed because the morphine began to drop his blood pressure dangerously low. The hospital doctors were not able to identify where his infection was coming from; the conclusion was made that his tumor on his liver had become so large it causing bacteria to “leak” into his gut. May 31st his oncologist came to the hospital to see him. His oncologist told Sam and his family that because of his infection there was “nothing more” his clinic to do because Sam’s immune system was too weak to handle another round of chemo. The oncologist said that another round could “kill him”. Sam was discharged from the hospital and Hospice was called to help him at home.
Our family was referred to a new Integrative Medical Clinic in Scottsdale. (www.envita.com ) June 3rd Sam, Dawn, Kendra and Sammy went to Envita, met with one of the doctors. After the meeting, and understanding that Sam has no other options with traditional treatment to save his life; it was decided to treat him at Envita. The hard part is that because this is an “Integrative” clinic the treatments are NOT covered by his Medicare. While at the clinic Sammy, Kendra and Dawn spoke to patients and nurses; everyone was in the process of HEALING. One man told Sammy that he was in “week 5” of his treatment and the “cancer was going in the right direction”. The estimated cost of this treatment is $100,000. If you know our family you know that we DO NOT like asking for monetary help. However, this is not an ordinary Go Fund Me fundraiser; this is treatment that (most likely) WILL SAVE a LIFE! Not just any life, the life of a man that has given more to his family, his friends, his career and total strangers than anyone else we know. On the day he got the news that his esophageal cancer was gone, he gave a homeless man $100 and told him “I have had a great day… so should you!” This is the ONLY option Sam has now… and we are asking for your help.
All the funds will go directly to his treatment at Envita. He already began treatment on Friday, June 2nd… His treatment will consist of being at the clinic 5 days a week for several hours a day. The cost is roughly $1,500.00 a day. Payment is due the day of treatment; thus we are hoping to raise as much as we can as quickly as we can. This is a TIME SENSITIVE situation… we NEED to get his treatment going 5 days a week to stay ahead of his cancer spreading! Any donation is greatly appreciated, if you are unable to donate please keep send Sam positive healing thoughts, vibes, prayers, whatever you've got! We want to see Sam happy, HEALTHY and CANCER FREE as soon as possible!
Organizer
Kendra Day
Organizer
New River, AZ
