- K
This page was created for a family member whom is 50 years young and is going through something he never thought was possible. Bruce is suffering from what is called, “NEUROENDOCRINE CARCINOMA” that is located under his brain and wrapped around his brain artery. NEC is a rare cancerous tumor that can happen anywhere on the body but it just so happened that Bruce’s tumor is located in the worst spot imaginable.
His journey began back in May 2019 when he started having some ear discomfort. After a few doctor visits at NMMC, he ended up with an ear infection. He was then sent to an ear specialist for further testing at Northern Lights. Doctors at Northern Lights informed him that it was not normal for him to lose hearing the way he did. An MRI and CT scan were ordered and with that being done, the tumor was found. Bruce was then sent to see an oncologist at TAMC. A biopsy was then required at MMC. The biopsy informed the doctors and Bruce that the tumor was cancerous. From that point a PET scan was done which had negative results.
The tumor can’t be removed surgically due to where the tumor is located. The doctors at MMC suggested getting a second opinion and transferred Bruce to Massachusetts Eye and Ear. MEE took another biopsy, again it confirmed it was cancerous but nothing more. The oncologist needed a more in depth reading on the biopsy so they sent the results to a hospital in Houston, Texas. Bruce is currently waiting for an appointment for his dotatate PET scan. Once the scan is done, they will then find out how aggressive and what stage Bruce is currently at. After that is completed, Bruce and family are hoping some kind of treatment will be in the near future. MMC and Boston doctors are at a standstill not knowing how to go about this rare tumor. Bruce and his family are just wanted questions answered and the unknown to be known. As the days go on, he is having more bad days than good days.
Bruce is unable to work and help with financials, the cost of traveling and medical bills aren’t cheap and also piling up. Insurance is not helping the way that they had hoped for and since the hospital in Texas is an out of network hospital, they are not accepting Bruce’s insurance. He has a family to help support, a wife and three sons. Any donation is welcomed and much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
His journey began back in May 2019 when he started having some ear discomfort. After a few doctor visits at NMMC, he ended up with an ear infection. He was then sent to an ear specialist for further testing at Northern Lights. Doctors at Northern Lights informed him that it was not normal for him to lose hearing the way he did. An MRI and CT scan were ordered and with that being done, the tumor was found. Bruce was then sent to see an oncologist at TAMC. A biopsy was then required at MMC. The biopsy informed the doctors and Bruce that the tumor was cancerous. From that point a PET scan was done which had negative results.
The tumor can’t be removed surgically due to where the tumor is located. The doctors at MMC suggested getting a second opinion and transferred Bruce to Massachusetts Eye and Ear. MEE took another biopsy, again it confirmed it was cancerous but nothing more. The oncologist needed a more in depth reading on the biopsy so they sent the results to a hospital in Houston, Texas. Bruce is currently waiting for an appointment for his dotatate PET scan. Once the scan is done, they will then find out how aggressive and what stage Bruce is currently at. After that is completed, Bruce and family are hoping some kind of treatment will be in the near future. MMC and Boston doctors are at a standstill not knowing how to go about this rare tumor. Bruce and his family are just wanted questions answered and the unknown to be known. As the days go on, he is having more bad days than good days.
Bruce is unable to work and help with financials, the cost of traveling and medical bills aren’t cheap and also piling up. Insurance is not helping the way that they had hoped for and since the hospital in Texas is an out of network hospital, they are not accepting Bruce’s insurance. He has a family to help support, a wife and three sons. Any donation is welcomed and much appreciated. Thank you in advance.