Derek Sutton’s Battle with DFSP Skin Cancer
Donation protected
Anyone who knows Derek knows he loves hunting, fishing and all things outdoors. In his spare time you will likely find him tinkering with his truck, forging the coolest steel things you've ever seen, or riding the longest wheelie on his dirt bike that would scare any mom half to death! He is the sweetest teenager you could find, always smiling with a huge heart.
When Derek was 8 years old, he was hit in the upper shoulder/neck area with a bottle rocket. The area healed and life went on, never imagining anything would come of it except some strange bruising that persisted. Years passed but the bruising and scar tissue grew. Derek was seen by his doctor in early August and they advised to have it removed. The doctor felt confident it would be a benign growth, but would send it away for testing after the surgery.
On August 25th, the first surgery to remove the growth was completed without any complications but upon testing, it was malignant and he was diagnosed with DFSP (Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans) which is a rare type of cancer, a soft tissue sarcoma that develops in the deep layers of skin growing into surrounding fat, muscle and even bone.
Derek's doctors are located in St Louis where he's had to travel with family through the last two surgeries this month on Nov 9 & 23 where the doctors surgically removed an area the size of a small nerf football and half a thumb deep stretching from below his collar bone to just under his ear.
There are additional surgeries being scheduled to remove muscle and skin from his thigh to replace his tissue in his collarbone and neck area; reconnecting blood vessels muscles and skin to close up his current wound.
We're asking for any kindness and love you can show by helping the family with their expenses. This is all very unexpected for Derek and his family. The family is anticipating possible additional surgeries, definite radiation (up to 6 weeks) and physical therapy and a long road to recovery.
As he returns home any love you can show or notes of encouragement to the family are welcome. We don't know what God holds in store but we know He holds the future! One thing about Derek is he has kept his head held high throughout all this. He's always smiling and always projecting a love for his friends and family.
Above all... we're asking each of you for your prayers. We know the Lord will provide EXACTLY what is needed.
Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.
When Derek was 8 years old, he was hit in the upper shoulder/neck area with a bottle rocket. The area healed and life went on, never imagining anything would come of it except some strange bruising that persisted. Years passed but the bruising and scar tissue grew. Derek was seen by his doctor in early August and they advised to have it removed. The doctor felt confident it would be a benign growth, but would send it away for testing after the surgery.
On August 25th, the first surgery to remove the growth was completed without any complications but upon testing, it was malignant and he was diagnosed with DFSP (Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans) which is a rare type of cancer, a soft tissue sarcoma that develops in the deep layers of skin growing into surrounding fat, muscle and even bone.
Derek's doctors are located in St Louis where he's had to travel with family through the last two surgeries this month on Nov 9 & 23 where the doctors surgically removed an area the size of a small nerf football and half a thumb deep stretching from below his collar bone to just under his ear.
There are additional surgeries being scheduled to remove muscle and skin from his thigh to replace his tissue in his collarbone and neck area; reconnecting blood vessels muscles and skin to close up his current wound.
We're asking for any kindness and love you can show by helping the family with their expenses. This is all very unexpected for Derek and his family. The family is anticipating possible additional surgeries, definite radiation (up to 6 weeks) and physical therapy and a long road to recovery.
As he returns home any love you can show or notes of encouragement to the family are welcome. We don't know what God holds in store but we know He holds the future! One thing about Derek is he has kept his head held high throughout all this. He's always smiling and always projecting a love for his friends and family.
Above all... we're asking each of you for your prayers. We know the Lord will provide EXACTLY what is needed.
Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Angel Evans
Organizer
Charlestown, IN
April Sutton
Beneficiary