Dan's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Hey Everyone! I want to tell you all about an incredible man, Daniel Wayne Sweat.
On July 22, 2016 my dad, Dan, was diagnosed at the age of 53 with Stage IV Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma). Like most people, this came as a huge surprise to our family because he had never really been sick before. I don't even recall him ever taking a sick day from work before this diagnosis. He started to get very sick at the beginning of July 2016. We first started to suspect something was wrong when he arrived home from a business conference in Denver. He was extremely sluggish, dehydrated, and was turning very yellow (jaundice).
After many doctors appointments, labs, and other diagnostic tests we were informed that my dad, this previously perfectly healthy man, had stage four cancer. Ontop of all of that, he was also diagnosed with a condition called Stauffers Syndrome. Stauffers Syndrome is basically when the liver becomes diseased because of the cancer, this is why he felt so sick and was turning yellow.
Once they had a diagnosis for him, things began happening very quickly. They scheduled a surgery to remove the cancerous kidney and to begin treatment. At this point the cancer had already spread to his lungs, and brain. It was a high-risk procedure, but they were able to remove his left kidney (they said with the mass on it, it was the size of a football). Even after the removal of the kidney, the cancer had progressed so much that his chances looked slim. The doctors informed us that they did not believe he had long left (that he wouldn't be around for Thanksgiving) and that we should treasure every moment and get everything in order.
To make a very long story a little shorter, it has now been a little over a year since his diagnosis and he is still here, PRAISE THE LORD! My dad is still very, very ill, but he does have some good days. The cancer has spread to all the places it can (lungs, brain, bones, spine, etc.). At this point he is still receiving treatment at Duke and fighting with all his might; he is truly such a strong man. He has never lost faith in God, he always has a smile on his face and is constantly saying "it's all good" even on the worst of days. His doctors are still saying that his condition is terminal, and that we do not have much time left with him; but we will not give up hope (plus he has proved them wrong this far). Our family is still fighting every day.
Because of this disease, Dan has not been able to work for over a year. Before this he was working at East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine. My mother, Holly Sweat, has been a rock for this family. She is Dan's caregiver, support system, and joy. Her endless faith and hope has been inspiring not just for our family but for all who are following his treatment. However, because she is his constant caregiver she has not been able to work nearly as much as needed. She is home with him most days. Between healthcare bills, transportation cost, and everything in between things are starting to become extremely stressful and tight for my parents.
My husband, brother, and I would love to help our family out by starting this GoFundMe Page to help them pay for medical expenses and the cost to get to and from the hospital (which is two and half hours away). Our parents have done so much for us, provided in everyway, been constant source of encouragement and love, we just want to help them in anyway that we can.
We still do not know what the next year holds for Dan, but all we can do is put our faith, hope, and trust in God. Please help us pay for medical expenses, but most importantly, please pray for healing and peace.
Thank you all so much for your support, donations, and prayers. God Bless.
-Taylor Apsitis, and Sweat Family
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
On July 22, 2016 my dad, Dan, was diagnosed at the age of 53 with Stage IV Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma). Like most people, this came as a huge surprise to our family because he had never really been sick before. I don't even recall him ever taking a sick day from work before this diagnosis. He started to get very sick at the beginning of July 2016. We first started to suspect something was wrong when he arrived home from a business conference in Denver. He was extremely sluggish, dehydrated, and was turning very yellow (jaundice).
After many doctors appointments, labs, and other diagnostic tests we were informed that my dad, this previously perfectly healthy man, had stage four cancer. Ontop of all of that, he was also diagnosed with a condition called Stauffers Syndrome. Stauffers Syndrome is basically when the liver becomes diseased because of the cancer, this is why he felt so sick and was turning yellow. Once they had a diagnosis for him, things began happening very quickly. They scheduled a surgery to remove the cancerous kidney and to begin treatment. At this point the cancer had already spread to his lungs, and brain. It was a high-risk procedure, but they were able to remove his left kidney (they said with the mass on it, it was the size of a football). Even after the removal of the kidney, the cancer had progressed so much that his chances looked slim. The doctors informed us that they did not believe he had long left (that he wouldn't be around for Thanksgiving) and that we should treasure every moment and get everything in order.
To make a very long story a little shorter, it has now been a little over a year since his diagnosis and he is still here, PRAISE THE LORD! My dad is still very, very ill, but he does have some good days. The cancer has spread to all the places it can (lungs, brain, bones, spine, etc.). At this point he is still receiving treatment at Duke and fighting with all his might; he is truly such a strong man. He has never lost faith in God, he always has a smile on his face and is constantly saying "it's all good" even on the worst of days. His doctors are still saying that his condition is terminal, and that we do not have much time left with him; but we will not give up hope (plus he has proved them wrong this far). Our family is still fighting every day.
Because of this disease, Dan has not been able to work for over a year. Before this he was working at East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine. My mother, Holly Sweat, has been a rock for this family. She is Dan's caregiver, support system, and joy. Her endless faith and hope has been inspiring not just for our family but for all who are following his treatment. However, because she is his constant caregiver she has not been able to work nearly as much as needed. She is home with him most days. Between healthcare bills, transportation cost, and everything in between things are starting to become extremely stressful and tight for my parents.
My husband, brother, and I would love to help our family out by starting this GoFundMe Page to help them pay for medical expenses and the cost to get to and from the hospital (which is two and half hours away). Our parents have done so much for us, provided in everyway, been constant source of encouragement and love, we just want to help them in anyway that we can.
We still do not know what the next year holds for Dan, but all we can do is put our faith, hope, and trust in God. Please help us pay for medical expenses, but most importantly, please pray for healing and peace.
Thank you all so much for your support, donations, and prayers. God Bless.
-Taylor Apsitis, and Sweat Family
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Organizer and beneficiary
Taylor Gayle Apsitis
Organizer
Greenville, NC
Holly Sweat
Beneficiary
