In December of 2024, we noticed a strange growth on the side of Joe's face that had grown rapidly. We weren't sure what it was and went to the hospital where they gave us the news that there was a mass in his face that was most likely cancer, but we needed to get a biopsy done to be sure. After seeing Moffitt, we were told it was a benign mass and that we just needed to monitor it.

Towards the end of March/beginning of April, it began to affect Joe's quality of life. Eating was becoming more difficult, and the pain was growing more constant in his jaw. In May, we reached out to some medical providers as it was more of an issue, now stopping Joe from getting proper sleep. At this point, we spent months hopping from one doctor to another, scan after scan, and getting opinions, referrals, and advice until we were able to schedule surgery to remove the mass. His surgery was originally scheduled for October of 2025, but because of the pain and difficulty eating it was causing, the procedure was moved to September 2025. They were able to remove the entire tumor despite its size, and while Joe was recovering, the tumor was sent to pathology for testing. It was after a few weeks that we received the news that the tumor was, in fact, cancer.

Now Joe has to be out of work longer as radiation treatments have begun and there is the possibility of chemo being needed as well.