Help Bobby Beat Cancer (AML)
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My brother Bobby, is fighting a battle with a fast growing cancer called Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) starts in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of certain bones, where new blood cells are made), and quickly moves into the blood. Treatments include chemotherapy, other drug therapy, and stem-cell transplants for people who are high risk (like Bobby).
Bobby is turning 40 years old this Fall. He has a long road ahead for treatments, and it's quite possible that he will still be here in the hospital to celebrate his big birthday.
Just over two weeks ago, Bobby started feeling sick as if he might have a bad cold or flu. He ended up quarantining himself in their bedroom for the weekend. He was hoping that he would get over it soon and that it wasn't COVID-19. He ended up getting in to see his doctor and took the test, which would take multiple days for results.
The next morning, he decided to take a hot shower. As he was taking a shower, he said that he started feeling kind of light headed. So, he finished up, dried off and started heading towards their bedroom to get dressed.
Bobby and his wife’s bedroom has a short set of stairs down from the bathroom. Unfortunately, by this time Bobby was very light headed. He passed out, fell down the stairs towards the bedroom and smashed his face and right eye on the edge of a chair. His wife found him laying there unconscious and bleeding that morning. Thankfully, he woke up after some time, but it was time to rush to the ER for a number of stitches on his eye.
Thankfully, we live a quick drive from Bobby. I was getting ready for the day and our dad happened to stop by our house to water the garden before heading to Bobby's to mow the lawn since Bobby wasn't feeling well.
Bobby’s wife was able to get a hold of our dad on the phone and he rushed over to their house to drive Bobby to the ER. I quickly found out and was a few minutes behind.
When we got to the hospital, Bobby was allowed one person with him, so the two of us went in together. While at the ER, it was strange that numerous nurses and doctors came to visit. They did give Bobby a COVID-19 test, which they said would have much quicker results.
A while later, I'll never forget this moment.
A different doctor was introduced to us (it turns out he was from hematology). He sat down by us and started to give us what sounded like great news.
He explained that Bobby didn't have COVID-19. It was such a moment of relief...but that moment quickly turned into disbelief.
The doctor simply said, from reviewing everything, I'm sorry to tell you that it looks like you have cancer, a type of leukemia.
As if that wasn't bad enough we learned that it was AML (acute, quickly developing cancer) and that Bobby had some other serious issues to deal with quickly.
The plan was to transfer Bobby to a university research hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital. However, he couldn't be transferred because his blood pressure was dangerously low, so they had to stabilize him first. They also determined he had an enlarged spleen and wanted to monitor him to make sure it hadn't burst.
They had to transfer Bobby to the ICU, where he remained for a few nights while the team at Edwards Hospital worked to stabilize him.
Bobby was finally transferred to a specialty floor at Northwestern, where the whole team is doing a great job helping him.
He did end up having to have surgery on his spleen to stop bleeding in three areas.
He also had a bone marrow biopsy to get more details on his condition and to help determine a treatment plan for him. The unfortunate news from those results is that there are some abnormalities, which make Bobby higher risk.
The doctors determined that the standard chemotherapy treatment would not be the way to go. So instead, Bobby has been going through chemotherapy of four different types.
It was also confirmed that Bobby would need to go through a major procedure after the initial treatment. This procedure is a stem cell transplant, which would most likely also require Bobby to be in isolation for weeks afterward.
Right now, the doctors are checking Bobby constantly for infection and will determine how the treatment is working.
I have started this GoFundMe account in hopes that it can help ease the burden for Bobby and his family.
As Bobby described to me, he and his family struggle every day trying to care for their 11-year old son, who has severe autism. Not only is it mentally and physically difficult, it also requires a lot of expenses for things like therapy.
Over the next days, weeks, and months ahead, Bobby will need constant medical care. At some point in the relatively near future, Bobby will also be switched to long term disability, which means the income he made from his job will drop significantly.
As you can imagine, it is going to be very difficult managing the costs that Bobby's family has plus the medical costs he will now have for a long time, and the decrease to his income... At this point relatively early on, we are not sure of a specific dollar amount goal.
This campaign will enable Bobby and his family to concentrate on Bobby getting well and fighting this scary disease, and to not have to worry about the long treatment.
From the bottom of my heart, I humbly ask that you please share this link with friends and family, and if possible in giving any amount will help.
I thank you for your support to help Bobby, his wife, 11-year old son and 6-year old son, and God bless you!!!
Jimmy Tsioles
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) starts in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of certain bones, where new blood cells are made), and quickly moves into the blood. Treatments include chemotherapy, other drug therapy, and stem-cell transplants for people who are high risk (like Bobby).
Bobby is turning 40 years old this Fall. He has a long road ahead for treatments, and it's quite possible that he will still be here in the hospital to celebrate his big birthday.
Just over two weeks ago, Bobby started feeling sick as if he might have a bad cold or flu. He ended up quarantining himself in their bedroom for the weekend. He was hoping that he would get over it soon and that it wasn't COVID-19. He ended up getting in to see his doctor and took the test, which would take multiple days for results.
The next morning, he decided to take a hot shower. As he was taking a shower, he said that he started feeling kind of light headed. So, he finished up, dried off and started heading towards their bedroom to get dressed.
Bobby and his wife’s bedroom has a short set of stairs down from the bathroom. Unfortunately, by this time Bobby was very light headed. He passed out, fell down the stairs towards the bedroom and smashed his face and right eye on the edge of a chair. His wife found him laying there unconscious and bleeding that morning. Thankfully, he woke up after some time, but it was time to rush to the ER for a number of stitches on his eye.
Thankfully, we live a quick drive from Bobby. I was getting ready for the day and our dad happened to stop by our house to water the garden before heading to Bobby's to mow the lawn since Bobby wasn't feeling well.
Bobby’s wife was able to get a hold of our dad on the phone and he rushed over to their house to drive Bobby to the ER. I quickly found out and was a few minutes behind.
When we got to the hospital, Bobby was allowed one person with him, so the two of us went in together. While at the ER, it was strange that numerous nurses and doctors came to visit. They did give Bobby a COVID-19 test, which they said would have much quicker results.
A while later, I'll never forget this moment.
A different doctor was introduced to us (it turns out he was from hematology). He sat down by us and started to give us what sounded like great news.
He explained that Bobby didn't have COVID-19. It was such a moment of relief...but that moment quickly turned into disbelief.
The doctor simply said, from reviewing everything, I'm sorry to tell you that it looks like you have cancer, a type of leukemia.
As if that wasn't bad enough we learned that it was AML (acute, quickly developing cancer) and that Bobby had some other serious issues to deal with quickly.
The plan was to transfer Bobby to a university research hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital. However, he couldn't be transferred because his blood pressure was dangerously low, so they had to stabilize him first. They also determined he had an enlarged spleen and wanted to monitor him to make sure it hadn't burst.
They had to transfer Bobby to the ICU, where he remained for a few nights while the team at Edwards Hospital worked to stabilize him.
Bobby was finally transferred to a specialty floor at Northwestern, where the whole team is doing a great job helping him.
He did end up having to have surgery on his spleen to stop bleeding in three areas.
He also had a bone marrow biopsy to get more details on his condition and to help determine a treatment plan for him. The unfortunate news from those results is that there are some abnormalities, which make Bobby higher risk.
The doctors determined that the standard chemotherapy treatment would not be the way to go. So instead, Bobby has been going through chemotherapy of four different types.
It was also confirmed that Bobby would need to go through a major procedure after the initial treatment. This procedure is a stem cell transplant, which would most likely also require Bobby to be in isolation for weeks afterward.
Right now, the doctors are checking Bobby constantly for infection and will determine how the treatment is working.
I have started this GoFundMe account in hopes that it can help ease the burden for Bobby and his family.
As Bobby described to me, he and his family struggle every day trying to care for their 11-year old son, who has severe autism. Not only is it mentally and physically difficult, it also requires a lot of expenses for things like therapy.
Over the next days, weeks, and months ahead, Bobby will need constant medical care. At some point in the relatively near future, Bobby will also be switched to long term disability, which means the income he made from his job will drop significantly.
As you can imagine, it is going to be very difficult managing the costs that Bobby's family has plus the medical costs he will now have for a long time, and the decrease to his income... At this point relatively early on, we are not sure of a specific dollar amount goal.
This campaign will enable Bobby and his family to concentrate on Bobby getting well and fighting this scary disease, and to not have to worry about the long treatment.
From the bottom of my heart, I humbly ask that you please share this link with friends and family, and if possible in giving any amount will help.
I thank you for your support to help Bobby, his wife, 11-year old son and 6-year old son, and God bless you!!!
Jimmy Tsioles
Fundraising team: Bobby’s Fundraising Team (2)
Jimmy Tsioles
Organizer
Naperville, IL
The Tsioles Family
Beneficiary
Robert Tsioles
Team member
