- S
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Dear family and friends,
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. I can't express the gratitude we have for all the gifts we have been given through this journey. Our goal at this point is to make as many lasting family memories that we can while we still have time. We don't know how much time that we will be blessed with but we are determined to make every moment count. Any donation would be appreciated more than words can express. Below I have shared Isaac's story...
Isaac's battle began in the winter of 2014 while playing on the floor of the living room with our daughter, Hadley. He began having severe pain and vomiting so he went to our family doctor. Isaac was told he had acid reflux and was given a prescription for medication. As he continued to take the medication, he told me he was "back to normal" and felt "fine". However, in the spring of 2015 he began having back pain. Isaac is not one to complain of pain; but it became so unbearable that he decided to go see a chiropractor. When the chiropractor took x-rays to assess Isaac, he saw something odd, but told him it was just muscles on his lower left side that had twisted around the bone and they could get him up and running pain free in no time! Isaac went every Friday and would feel wonderful for about 24 hours before the pain was back. This continued for months. Throughout this time, I would massage his back. I noticed a lump that felt about the size of a golf ball. Soon I began to notice that it was increasing in size rapidly so I begged Isaac to go for a second opinion. On August 11th, 2015, when the "muscles" in his lower left side are now more than the size of a softball, Isaac finally caved. He walked into the hospital gray in color with sunken eyes, after having spent the entire weekend in the fetal position in bed. Now, if you know my husband, he is very active and can't sit still for the life of him! He loves to be constantly busy so for him to be down was very concerning.
Isaac spent a week at Lutheran Hospital having various tests and procedures done. It took three days and then we heard the word we dreaded - "cancer". Isaac quickly had an orchiectomy to decipher what exactly we were dealing with. When the Pathology results were back they were so inconclusive that they had to be sent to various labs around the United States for review. Eventually we were told Isaac had Stage 3B Non-Seminoma Testicular Cancer. They found he had a tumor 6"x7"x4" (yes, inches) in his lower back/pelvis behind his stomach. The good news was, it didn't seem to be attached to any organs. The bad news was that the cancer was suffocating Isaac’s right kidney. Isaac soon started 12 weeks of BEP chemotherapy. This shrunk the tumor significantly. November 2015 came and signified the end of chemo. We were so excited for him to be on the mend during the holidays!
However, it didn’t take long and Isaac became very sick again. We were recommended to meet with the famous Dr. Einhorn at IU Health in Indianapolis (he is who cured Lance Armstrong). He is the world's leading specialist in testicular cancer and we were very fortunate that he took on Isaac's case. We were told that while BEP chemo did the job and shrunk the tumor, there was still quite a bit left and that he would need an RPLND surgery to remove the tumor. Isaac had this surgery done in January 2016 down in Indianapolis. After the 5 hour surgery I was told they were confident they had gotten all the cancer, however, Isaac lost his right kidney and his ventricular vein in the procedure. The cancer had destroyed both of them to the point of no return. Again we waited for the pathology results to come back; both eager that "no news was good news". Then the call came and we were completely taken aback. We were told they had found traces of a very rare form of cancer called rhabdo (short version). There have only been 400 adult cases worldwide since 1987 and the survival rate was 0%. Our hearts sank but we were still hopeful. Miracles do happen!
Isaac was due back for his follow up in February and we were told at that time that another tumor was found, this one was on the left side of his body and almost as big as the original tumor. We already had plans for our first family vacation coming up, so the doctor advised us to go and that we would begin the process of a Stem Cell Transplant (times two) soon. When we returned, Isaac was admitted in Indy and was there for about 5 weeks. Never had I seen anyone so violently ill. Once again he was given a high doses of chemo.
On June 28, 2016, after more follow up scans, Isaac was finally deemed "under surveillance". This was amazing news for us! Over the summer, Isaac (who lost over 90 pounds) had gained 30 pounds back, he actually had an appetite and I was constantly cooking and shopping for more food! It was wonderful! His energy began to come back and we had a great time together going on adventures with our daughter. We were very hopeful!
However, in August Isaac began complaining of constantly being tired but not being able to sleep. He decided to call the doctor and some blood work was ordered. When the tests came back we then received another blow… tests are abnormal and cancer markers are high again. More tests were ran and Isaac literally LIT UP the screen. Not only is the cancer back, but back with a vengeance and in more places to date. His liver is now completely encased on both the left and right sides with new tumor growth, not allowing it to function properly. His original tumor is also back and the cancer is spreading and growing rapidly. All this within a matter of 2 months.
We were then told that Isaac is out of options to truly "fight" it due to losing a kidney so doctors are now deeming him terminal. No matter what the doctors have tried, it never ceases to disappear for good. Isaac responds fantastic to treatments, but not for long. We were told in August that we need to begin thinking about life decisions in regards to quality and quantity of life.
Isaac refuses to give up as he wants to see his daughters every mile stone. He is a fighter and has fought so hard, he doesn't want to quit now so we began the process of palliative chemo in hopes to keep the cancer at bay for as long as possible in September. Unfortunately, his most recent scans on October 17th have shown that it is not working. The cancer is still spreading and growing at a fast pace. The doctors are happy Isaac still feels so well but it is only a matter of time and they have told us to expect a major decline within the next couple months.
At just 27, I never expected to lose my best friend and husband. So for now we are trying to enjoy every single moment while preparing for the future.
Our pastor had some of the best words that I continue to cling onto: "Isaac has been given a gift. He has been given the gift to tell all those around him just how much they mean to him and to prepare for his death. So many are not granted such a gift in this lifetime." So we are making videos and buying cards for Hadley's birthday each year until she turns 21, and spending time with loved ones. We are all about making as many memories as we can before he becomes too ill. We try to keep positive, upbeat attitudes daily as we know just how fortunate we are to be given such a gift.
Again, thank you so much for your support. It means more than words can say.
With love,
Caroline Crow
South Whitley Elementary is also hosting a "Hacienda gives back" night on Nov. 2, 2016. If you eat there on this date they will donate 20% of proceeds to this fund. Tokens must be turned in when paying. Tokens can be picked up at the school. If need more information, please contact the school at [phone redacted].
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. I can't express the gratitude we have for all the gifts we have been given through this journey. Our goal at this point is to make as many lasting family memories that we can while we still have time. We don't know how much time that we will be blessed with but we are determined to make every moment count. Any donation would be appreciated more than words can express. Below I have shared Isaac's story...
Isaac's battle began in the winter of 2014 while playing on the floor of the living room with our daughter, Hadley. He began having severe pain and vomiting so he went to our family doctor. Isaac was told he had acid reflux and was given a prescription for medication. As he continued to take the medication, he told me he was "back to normal" and felt "fine". However, in the spring of 2015 he began having back pain. Isaac is not one to complain of pain; but it became so unbearable that he decided to go see a chiropractor. When the chiropractor took x-rays to assess Isaac, he saw something odd, but told him it was just muscles on his lower left side that had twisted around the bone and they could get him up and running pain free in no time! Isaac went every Friday and would feel wonderful for about 24 hours before the pain was back. This continued for months. Throughout this time, I would massage his back. I noticed a lump that felt about the size of a golf ball. Soon I began to notice that it was increasing in size rapidly so I begged Isaac to go for a second opinion. On August 11th, 2015, when the "muscles" in his lower left side are now more than the size of a softball, Isaac finally caved. He walked into the hospital gray in color with sunken eyes, after having spent the entire weekend in the fetal position in bed. Now, if you know my husband, he is very active and can't sit still for the life of him! He loves to be constantly busy so for him to be down was very concerning.
Isaac spent a week at Lutheran Hospital having various tests and procedures done. It took three days and then we heard the word we dreaded - "cancer". Isaac quickly had an orchiectomy to decipher what exactly we were dealing with. When the Pathology results were back they were so inconclusive that they had to be sent to various labs around the United States for review. Eventually we were told Isaac had Stage 3B Non-Seminoma Testicular Cancer. They found he had a tumor 6"x7"x4" (yes, inches) in his lower back/pelvis behind his stomach. The good news was, it didn't seem to be attached to any organs. The bad news was that the cancer was suffocating Isaac’s right kidney. Isaac soon started 12 weeks of BEP chemotherapy. This shrunk the tumor significantly. November 2015 came and signified the end of chemo. We were so excited for him to be on the mend during the holidays!
However, it didn’t take long and Isaac became very sick again. We were recommended to meet with the famous Dr. Einhorn at IU Health in Indianapolis (he is who cured Lance Armstrong). He is the world's leading specialist in testicular cancer and we were very fortunate that he took on Isaac's case. We were told that while BEP chemo did the job and shrunk the tumor, there was still quite a bit left and that he would need an RPLND surgery to remove the tumor. Isaac had this surgery done in January 2016 down in Indianapolis. After the 5 hour surgery I was told they were confident they had gotten all the cancer, however, Isaac lost his right kidney and his ventricular vein in the procedure. The cancer had destroyed both of them to the point of no return. Again we waited for the pathology results to come back; both eager that "no news was good news". Then the call came and we were completely taken aback. We were told they had found traces of a very rare form of cancer called rhabdo (short version). There have only been 400 adult cases worldwide since 1987 and the survival rate was 0%. Our hearts sank but we were still hopeful. Miracles do happen!
Isaac was due back for his follow up in February and we were told at that time that another tumor was found, this one was on the left side of his body and almost as big as the original tumor. We already had plans for our first family vacation coming up, so the doctor advised us to go and that we would begin the process of a Stem Cell Transplant (times two) soon. When we returned, Isaac was admitted in Indy and was there for about 5 weeks. Never had I seen anyone so violently ill. Once again he was given a high doses of chemo.
On June 28, 2016, after more follow up scans, Isaac was finally deemed "under surveillance". This was amazing news for us! Over the summer, Isaac (who lost over 90 pounds) had gained 30 pounds back, he actually had an appetite and I was constantly cooking and shopping for more food! It was wonderful! His energy began to come back and we had a great time together going on adventures with our daughter. We were very hopeful!
However, in August Isaac began complaining of constantly being tired but not being able to sleep. He decided to call the doctor and some blood work was ordered. When the tests came back we then received another blow… tests are abnormal and cancer markers are high again. More tests were ran and Isaac literally LIT UP the screen. Not only is the cancer back, but back with a vengeance and in more places to date. His liver is now completely encased on both the left and right sides with new tumor growth, not allowing it to function properly. His original tumor is also back and the cancer is spreading and growing rapidly. All this within a matter of 2 months.
We were then told that Isaac is out of options to truly "fight" it due to losing a kidney so doctors are now deeming him terminal. No matter what the doctors have tried, it never ceases to disappear for good. Isaac responds fantastic to treatments, but not for long. We were told in August that we need to begin thinking about life decisions in regards to quality and quantity of life.
Isaac refuses to give up as he wants to see his daughters every mile stone. He is a fighter and has fought so hard, he doesn't want to quit now so we began the process of palliative chemo in hopes to keep the cancer at bay for as long as possible in September. Unfortunately, his most recent scans on October 17th have shown that it is not working. The cancer is still spreading and growing at a fast pace. The doctors are happy Isaac still feels so well but it is only a matter of time and they have told us to expect a major decline within the next couple months.
At just 27, I never expected to lose my best friend and husband. So for now we are trying to enjoy every single moment while preparing for the future.
Our pastor had some of the best words that I continue to cling onto: "Isaac has been given a gift. He has been given the gift to tell all those around him just how much they mean to him and to prepare for his death. So many are not granted such a gift in this lifetime." So we are making videos and buying cards for Hadley's birthday each year until she turns 21, and spending time with loved ones. We are all about making as many memories as we can before he becomes too ill. We try to keep positive, upbeat attitudes daily as we know just how fortunate we are to be given such a gift.
Again, thank you so much for your support. It means more than words can say.
With love,
Caroline Crow
South Whitley Elementary is also hosting a "Hacienda gives back" night on Nov. 2, 2016. If you eat there on this date they will donate 20% of proceeds to this fund. Tokens must be turned in when paying. Tokens can be picked up at the school. If need more information, please contact the school at [phone redacted].
Organizer and beneficiary
Caroline Crow
Beneficiary