Josh’s Cancer Fund ❤️

Hi all! Well, as some of you may know, we are in the fight of our lives right now! My fiancé and best friend, Josh, was diagnosed with Embryonal carcinoma on November 5th, 2021. We are heartbroken, of course. Josh and I met 2.5 years ago, and have hopes of getting married, traveling and starting a family together. Ever since we met, I’ve told him I would be by his side and do anything for him. He is the sweetest, most loving, accepting and committed person I know. He makes me a better person and it is incredibly sad to see this happen to anyone, let alone the love of my life who is only 35 years old! Our entire world has flipped. It’s crazy, but we are tough, and I know we’ll get through this.

 

This all started months back when he had a cough, which didn’t seem too alarming. Shortly after he caught Covid, and was out of work, and quarantined for 3 weeks while he recovered. At this time, we were also supposed to get married and go on vacation on July 28th, but due to his condition, we had to cancel our plans. It was a bummer but health is #1, and once he felt better, we thought we were in the clear. A few weeks later, his cough started to creep back, so we made him a doctors appointment to get checked out as quick as we could.

 

First, it was a round of antibiotics to see if he had an infection. Once he finished those, it didn't seem to improve, so his doctors took X-rays. This was when they noticed a dark spot on his lungs, but it didn’t appear serious. The radiologist said it looked like nothing. All the blood work looked normal, his cough seemed to be diminishing and he felt fine otherwise. We assumed it was from having Covid, honestly. After another week or so the cough spiked again, and his doctor called for second X-ray. This time the doctor was skeptical that something wasn’t right and insisted he have a CT scan and more blood work.

 

Once the CT scan came back, it was clear. There was a mass about 2inches that was detected in the center of his chest, between his heart and his right lung. This is when it got pretty scary. A few weeks later, we had our first visit with a Pulmonary specialist, where we went over the results of the scan. That’s when we knew this was real, and something could be really wrong! The doctor ordered a biopsy of the mass the next morning, and we were just so thankful to be getting In quickly after seeing this because by this time, Josh’s cough was progressing and causing breathing issues.

 

On 11/5, after the doctor completed the biopsy, they came to tell me immediately that it was malignant and he needed to get in with an oncologist right away, so we went that afternoon. We were in shock, but we needed to know more and move quickly. The doctor told us later on in the week, that the lump was a rapidly growing germ cell tumor, and there were several tests to do before treatment.

 

After multiple ultrasounds, and a brain MRI, thankfully, we have been told that it has not spread to other parts of the body and that chemotherapy, followed by a surgery, would be the best way to treat this. So here we are, approaching his start date and waiting to beat the hell out of this thing!!!

 

Josh will have 4 rounds of chemotherapy about 21 days apart. Each treatment requires 5 days in the hospital, and then several days of rest, maybe more before he can return to work. After chemo, If all goes well and it shrinks the tumor significantly, they will perform Thoracic surgery to ensure it all gone. 

 

With all of that said, we will need help! All of the time out of work, for treatment and surgery over the next 6 months, will be very hard. Josh will be missing a large amount of work over the next several months while he recovers. He is a welder for the union and has healthcare coverage, although he does not have any paid vacation or time off to use for this. We also do not know the extent of treatment that he will need, as it will depend on how he does along the way, and what other information we find out when all of the testing is complete. We wanted to share our story and as many of you might know, this is not only scary, but it is expensive! My heart goes out to anyone who has felt this, or dealt with this themselves or with a loved one. We have drawn strength from many others, and will continue to.

 

Please share this link so we can help generate some financial support for Josh, and for us, in this hard time. Even if you cannot donate, we understand, sharing still means the world to us and his family!

 

Sending love and positivity to you all! ❤️❤️❤️