Gregory Proctor's Fight Against Cancer
Monica Coello is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of her husband Gregory Proctor.
On Friday evening, May 28th, while resting at home in San Antonio, TX, Gregory experienced a great amount of lower right leg radiation & lower back pain that sent him to the nearest Urgent Care where he received a steroid / inflammatory shot. His results alarmed the doctors, so he was immediately referred to the ER / Spine Management Care for a X-Ray and additional blood work test. Over the next few weeks localize back theory was performed until both Gregory & his doctor agreed to take a different approach to best understand his lower pain.
On Thursday afternoon, June 26th, conducted the first MRI without contrast scan which found the alignment of the lumbar spine is anatomic. No disc space narrowing, or disc desiccation is present. The lumbar vertebrae are intact as the posterior elements . No spondylolysis is noted. The right iliac bone abnormal. An intraosseous tumor is present expanding the iliac crest measuring 6.0 x 3.6 cm in the transaxial plane. This tumor has broken through the cortex and extends into adjacent soft tissue. The L 1-L2, L2-L3 and L3-L4 levels are unremarkable. At L4-L5 a 3.0 mm disc bulge flattens the thecal sac. At L5-S1 a focal 3.0 mm disc herniation is seen without nerve root impingement mild bilateral foraminal narrowing is seen.
On Wednesday afternoon, July 7th, conducted the 2nd MRI with contrast scan which found grossly abnormal MRI pelvis, sacrum, and right femur. Extensive osseous tumor is seen throughout the right ilium as well as sacrum bilaterally with extension to the outer cortex of the right ilium into the adjacent gluteus musculature. Focal areas of tumor with enhancement are seen throughout the iliac crest, ischium including superior and inferior pubic ram. As well as proximal right femur. This is consistent with diffuse bone involvement with intraosseous tumor. The differential diagnosis includes lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or leukemia.
On Friday afternoon, July 16th, after numerous discussions with various doctors, testing results revealed intraosseous tumor is expanding the iliac crest measuring 6.0 x 3.6 cm in the transaxial plane and had broken through the cortex and extends into adjacent soft tissue in Gregory’s back pelvic area. Gregory met with an Oncologist and underwent a core needle biopsy procedure, which ultimately led to his final diagnosis of Multiple osteolytic bone lesions, largest in the right ilium, multiple myeloma versus metastases. Further indications post the biopsy in conjunction with 3rd MRI & CT scan found all major organs such as heart, lung, liver, kidneys well and are normal.
We are blessed that at this moment, Gregory’s organs are functioning normal as he prepares for the battle of his life over the next several months. He will officially start treatment on Thursday, July 22nd, which will consist of a weekly immunotherapy treatment daily and once a week chemotherapy to get the cancer into remission, followed by bone marrow transplant around month 3 or 4. Gregory's long-term prognosis is good. The road to recovery is going to be long and life changing.
Being that fighting cancer will be his full-time job for the next 4 months - 1 year, we are asking his community to come together to help alleviate the financial burden that will ensue. The financial costs associated with cancer are often overwhelming.
Even having health insurance does not guarantee you’ll be able to afford treatment. It is best to start researching & exploring options early in the process. Hence, the reason we are asking for some additional support, is because Gregory has touched many thousands of lives worldwide throughout his life’s journey not professionally but unconditionally as a mentor, friend, father to his daughters, lovely husband and for good reasoning we want to help encourage and lift his spirits through these difficult times. As his wife want to make sure that money is not something that he needs to worry about. If you are not in a place to give financially, please keep him in your thoughts & prayers!
God Bless and thank you for your time.
