Help Justin keep fighting #JMOStrong
Donation protected
In June of 2021, Justin was diagnosed with T cell-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). He immediately began treatment and has been fighting like a warrior ever since. Justin is a beloved father to his three beautiful, energetic young boys, and a loving husband to his amazing wife, Cassie. The news has been immensely traumatic and Justin has demonstrated tremendous strength and positivity throughout this experience. Justin is continuing his treatments, fighting to regain his health and is not yet able to return to work. Anyone who knows Justin, knows what a positive light he shines on this world. The Montello family is so appreciative for everyone that has been a part of this journey. The funds needed were calculated based on missing pay and medical coverage to get this family through the time that Justin will be missing work. Please see the family's story below:
There was no time to process an unexpected diagnosis of cancer when I was just 32 years old. I was sent directly to the ER by a family doctor after being on antibiotics for three weeks for an infected tooth. Three weeks before the diagnosis, I had gone to the dentist to find out that I had an infected tooth and needed a root canal. The dentist claimed my tooth infection was the reason for little lymph nodes noticeably popping up behind my ears and eventually down around my neck. Although the first round of antibiotics did not work, the dentist was sure that another round would. However, another round of antibiotics didn’t work and I got much worse in a matter of two weeks. I began to tire very easily and I developed a dry cough with a shortness of breathe. When I got to the family doctor, she took one look at my physical state and the nods behind my ears and sent me to the ER right away. My wife was able to meet me at the ER for what we thought would just be a long day getting fluids and maybe finding out that I had pneumonia. Within the first two hours there, I was feeling good with some fluids and having a seemingly normal conversation with my wife when the test started to produce results that showed a more painful and complicated story. The doctor very casually came to tell my wife and me that they (the team of doctors) were confident that this was more serious and their suspect was lymphoma. It was so difficult for us to hear; we didn’t even fully understand what it meant. This news was followed by more extensive tests involving the bone marrow and a transfer to Cleveland Clinic main campus. There, it was actually confirmed to be T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This all happened within four days of getting the terrible news in the ER. It was already all over much of my body through lymph nodes, a softball size mediastinal mass on my chest and in over 90% of my bone marrow. It was very aggressive so an aggressive protocol, AYA, started immediately.
This experience has been undeniably painful and difficult: physically, mentally and emotionally. We are not a family in pain; we are a family that can do hard things. We can look back on this support to show our kids that when we were up against adversity, we had undeniable love and unbreakable hope to get us through. We want our kids to remember that life is beautiful and when a diagnosis tried to define us, we did not let it. Instead, we redefined how we wanted to live and what was important to our family.
Justin is in remission and after the aggressive treatments so far, no leukemia cells are detected within his body. This is the most incredible news for Justin, his family and this community. That being said, the treatment for a diagnosis like this will continue for two and a half more years. His family is looking forward to finishing #JMoStrong.
There was no time to process an unexpected diagnosis of cancer when I was just 32 years old. I was sent directly to the ER by a family doctor after being on antibiotics for three weeks for an infected tooth. Three weeks before the diagnosis, I had gone to the dentist to find out that I had an infected tooth and needed a root canal. The dentist claimed my tooth infection was the reason for little lymph nodes noticeably popping up behind my ears and eventually down around my neck. Although the first round of antibiotics did not work, the dentist was sure that another round would. However, another round of antibiotics didn’t work and I got much worse in a matter of two weeks. I began to tire very easily and I developed a dry cough with a shortness of breathe. When I got to the family doctor, she took one look at my physical state and the nods behind my ears and sent me to the ER right away. My wife was able to meet me at the ER for what we thought would just be a long day getting fluids and maybe finding out that I had pneumonia. Within the first two hours there, I was feeling good with some fluids and having a seemingly normal conversation with my wife when the test started to produce results that showed a more painful and complicated story. The doctor very casually came to tell my wife and me that they (the team of doctors) were confident that this was more serious and their suspect was lymphoma. It was so difficult for us to hear; we didn’t even fully understand what it meant. This news was followed by more extensive tests involving the bone marrow and a transfer to Cleveland Clinic main campus. There, it was actually confirmed to be T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This all happened within four days of getting the terrible news in the ER. It was already all over much of my body through lymph nodes, a softball size mediastinal mass on my chest and in over 90% of my bone marrow. It was very aggressive so an aggressive protocol, AYA, started immediately.
This experience has been undeniably painful and difficult: physically, mentally and emotionally. We are not a family in pain; we are a family that can do hard things. We can look back on this support to show our kids that when we were up against adversity, we had undeniable love and unbreakable hope to get us through. We want our kids to remember that life is beautiful and when a diagnosis tried to define us, we did not let it. Instead, we redefined how we wanted to live and what was important to our family.
Justin is in remission and after the aggressive treatments so far, no leukemia cells are detected within his body. This is the most incredible news for Justin, his family and this community. That being said, the treatment for a diagnosis like this will continue for two and a half more years. His family is looking forward to finishing #JMoStrong.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenny Jenkins
Organizer
Aurora, OH
Justin Montello
Beneficiary