A few months ago Frank was diagnosed with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Frank is no stranger to cancer. His wife Kelli was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer only a few years ago. She is still recovering from post chemo health issues.

No doubt because he’s been down this road, Frank acted quickly when he felt a lump in his neck and went in to see a doctor.

He has one lymph node affected. He wasn’t a good candidate for surgical removal of the lymph because it’s near his carotid artery and he has a hereditary disease where blood vessels can easily bleed. Even if surgery had been an option, chemo and radiation was and is the treatment plan.

He started chemo and daily radiation in October. If you’ve read about or seen loved ones with Head and Neck cancer, you know the biggest challenge is radiation that affects the mouth and throat. It makes it very painful to eat and drink. He wakes often throughout the night with severe dry mouth. As he says, who wants to eat/drink with a mouth and throat that feels like razor blades. It can become such a challenge that a feeding tube is necessary and for some, speech and dental issues.

He's managing to eat at this time with pain meds taken before a meal. He’s doing all he can to avoid a feeding tube. He’s feeling plumb tired from radiation, sleep disturbances and the ongoing pain. He’s unable to go into the work currently. He’s about halfway through his treatment.

The medical bills are starting to come in and he’s got the myriad of drugs (prescription and OTC) for special saliva lozenges, mouth rinses, dental trays with special fluoride, pain meds, etc.

We were in the cancer center recently; a little girl was in the waiting room. When she was called in, Frank gave her a fist pump and said, “ You go in there and fight!” THAT is Frank. If you know him, you know he is not one to ask for help but is the first one to help when someone else needs it.

Many of you have asked us how you can help, so we decided to create this fundraiser for him. We understand not everyone is in a position to send money, but if you are able to help us (any amount would be greatly appreciated!) we would be eternally grateful!

A family member said to me the other day, “Its everyone’s disease when someone we love is fighting something like this.” Sure as hell is. God bless and prayers to all fighting a health battle.

~ Family and Friends of Frank