Fundraiser for Derrick Fjeld
Donation protected
Tuesday April 13, 2021 is the worst day of my life.
It was the day my son, Derrick Fjeld, learned he has a rare form of lung cancer called "atypical carcinoid". After not feeling well for some time Derrick saw his doctor who ordered a gastroscopy, it was believed Derrick had an ulcer. Nothing unusual was found other than a swollen vein in his neck (at that time we did not know the significance of this). Derrick began to drop weight rapidly because it was so painful for him to eat. His doctor ordered a CAT Scan, the day of the Cat Scan Derrick received a call from his doctor asking him to immediately report back to the hospital, a mass had been found in his left lung. Once back at the hospital an MRI was performed on his brain, the logic was that if he had cancer they needed to know if it had yet spread to his brain. It had not and he was sent home and next scheduled for a biopsy of his lymph nodes. Three days later he was to receive the devastating news that he has a rare form of lung cancer called "atypical carcinoid", only 1-2 % of the population of cancer victims have this specific cancer. This cancer lives both inside & outside his left lung, as well as his lymph nodes. Had this cancer been diagnosed just inside his lung he would have been able to have the tumor removed but the tumor had grown to the outside of his lung, it sits in the area between his two lungs and is wrapped around major blood vessels. Making it inoperable. The size of the tumor infringes on his diaphragm, esophagus, pancreas and his stomach. Hence why eating is so difficult and painful. His Oncologist now believes he may also have cancer in his pancreas. And now we wait to learn if he will go right into chemo therapy or if they need to biopsy his pancreas. In just the two weeks since his CAT Scan he has lost the use of his voice and now has to whisper.
Derrick is a self employed drywaller who had saved very little money in hopes of purchasing a home. This money went quickly as Derrick has been out of work for quite some time due to his pain. What also was happening during this time is we were closing in on when his third child would arrive. Elizabeth Grace is now six weeks old, her older siblings are Andy at three years old & Scarlett at five years old. Derrick's wife Tori is now able to return to work part time (from home). The money coming in from this part time work will never cover the monthly bills that continue to accumulate. My goal in starting this page is to help them with these bills. If I can raise enough money monthly to cover their bills it's one less stress for them. I personally thank each and every one of you for your donation, no donation is too small.
In closing Derrick I want you to know I love you so much! And Tori ... what can I say? I love you so much and I admire your strength in all that is happening, thank you for loving my son, standing by his side and for my three beautiful grandbabies.
It was the day my son, Derrick Fjeld, learned he has a rare form of lung cancer called "atypical carcinoid". After not feeling well for some time Derrick saw his doctor who ordered a gastroscopy, it was believed Derrick had an ulcer. Nothing unusual was found other than a swollen vein in his neck (at that time we did not know the significance of this). Derrick began to drop weight rapidly because it was so painful for him to eat. His doctor ordered a CAT Scan, the day of the Cat Scan Derrick received a call from his doctor asking him to immediately report back to the hospital, a mass had been found in his left lung. Once back at the hospital an MRI was performed on his brain, the logic was that if he had cancer they needed to know if it had yet spread to his brain. It had not and he was sent home and next scheduled for a biopsy of his lymph nodes. Three days later he was to receive the devastating news that he has a rare form of lung cancer called "atypical carcinoid", only 1-2 % of the population of cancer victims have this specific cancer. This cancer lives both inside & outside his left lung, as well as his lymph nodes. Had this cancer been diagnosed just inside his lung he would have been able to have the tumor removed but the tumor had grown to the outside of his lung, it sits in the area between his two lungs and is wrapped around major blood vessels. Making it inoperable. The size of the tumor infringes on his diaphragm, esophagus, pancreas and his stomach. Hence why eating is so difficult and painful. His Oncologist now believes he may also have cancer in his pancreas. And now we wait to learn if he will go right into chemo therapy or if they need to biopsy his pancreas. In just the two weeks since his CAT Scan he has lost the use of his voice and now has to whisper.
Derrick is a self employed drywaller who had saved very little money in hopes of purchasing a home. This money went quickly as Derrick has been out of work for quite some time due to his pain. What also was happening during this time is we were closing in on when his third child would arrive. Elizabeth Grace is now six weeks old, her older siblings are Andy at three years old & Scarlett at five years old. Derrick's wife Tori is now able to return to work part time (from home). The money coming in from this part time work will never cover the monthly bills that continue to accumulate. My goal in starting this page is to help them with these bills. If I can raise enough money monthly to cover their bills it's one less stress for them. I personally thank each and every one of you for your donation, no donation is too small.
In closing Derrick I want you to know I love you so much! And Tori ... what can I say? I love you so much and I admire your strength in all that is happening, thank you for loving my son, standing by his side and for my three beautiful grandbabies.
Organizer
Carrie Grover Phelps
Organizer
Concord, NH