Help Westyn Battle Cancer
Donation protected
Hey everybody, this is going out to the family, friends and co-workers of our good buddy Dustin. A couple weeks ago he and Shelbi heard a diagnosis that no parent ever wants to hear. Their son, Westyn was diagnosed with cancer. Please see below for a letter from Dustin and Shelbi, but suffice to say, Westyn's battle has begun. The family has said that there has been an outpouring of love and support, but I know many of you are looking for more ways to help. In this case, let's help take away the added stress from all of the doctor, surgery and chemo therapy bills and allow Dustin and Shelbi to focus on helping Westyn through this battle. Thank you for any help you can provide. - Jeremy
Hi everyone,
Shelbi and I would like to thank you all for your understanding and support. Things have been made a lot easier with your thoughtfulness and willingness to help.
On September 17th, Westyn was admitted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for what was suspected to be a Wilms Tumor. After multiple scans and X-rays, what was found was a large mass off the bottom of Westyn’s right kidney. The diagnosis confirmed that it was a Wilms Tumor, Stage 1, with unfavorable histology.
The first plan of action was for the surgery team to remove Westyn’s entire kidney. But, after further consideration with the surgeon, it was decided that only a portion of the kidney would be removed due to the way the tumor had grown. Westyn underwent surgery on Wednesday, September 19th. The procedure took five hours.
The surgery went well but, the days following were tough on Westyn as his pain was difficult to control. Thankfully, the surgical team was able to get all of the tumor removed. But, also during this first surgery, in the process of placing a port in Westyn’s chest, his left lung was nicked and was partially collapsed as a result. This was not found out until Westyn’s second surgery, on September 27th, when doctors went in to collect tissue to perform a biopsy on spots found in Westyn’s lungs. The injury to Westyn’s lung healed on its own and Westyn was able to be taken off of oxygen the next day.
As the next party of Westyn’s treatment, Westyn was given his first round of chemo on Sunday, September 30th, and has responded well so far. His chemo therapy will be on the less aggressive side since the cancer’s condition is Stage 1. The chemo therapy plan is set for once a week for the next ten weeks and then every third week for the following fifteen weeks, a total of 25 weeks of therapy.
We were discharged from the hospital this past Monday. Once at home, Westyn’s temperature shot up to 101.5 so we had to take him back to the hospital, this time in Payson, for doctors to access his port and give him antibiotics.
That sums up the last two and a half weeks for Westyn, Shelbi and I. We’re happy to be home.
Thank you,
Westyn, Shelbi and Dustin
Hi everyone,
Shelbi and I would like to thank you all for your understanding and support. Things have been made a lot easier with your thoughtfulness and willingness to help.
On September 17th, Westyn was admitted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for what was suspected to be a Wilms Tumor. After multiple scans and X-rays, what was found was a large mass off the bottom of Westyn’s right kidney. The diagnosis confirmed that it was a Wilms Tumor, Stage 1, with unfavorable histology.
The first plan of action was for the surgery team to remove Westyn’s entire kidney. But, after further consideration with the surgeon, it was decided that only a portion of the kidney would be removed due to the way the tumor had grown. Westyn underwent surgery on Wednesday, September 19th. The procedure took five hours.
The surgery went well but, the days following were tough on Westyn as his pain was difficult to control. Thankfully, the surgical team was able to get all of the tumor removed. But, also during this first surgery, in the process of placing a port in Westyn’s chest, his left lung was nicked and was partially collapsed as a result. This was not found out until Westyn’s second surgery, on September 27th, when doctors went in to collect tissue to perform a biopsy on spots found in Westyn’s lungs. The injury to Westyn’s lung healed on its own and Westyn was able to be taken off of oxygen the next day.
As the next party of Westyn’s treatment, Westyn was given his first round of chemo on Sunday, September 30th, and has responded well so far. His chemo therapy will be on the less aggressive side since the cancer’s condition is Stage 1. The chemo therapy plan is set for once a week for the next ten weeks and then every third week for the following fifteen weeks, a total of 25 weeks of therapy.
We were discharged from the hospital this past Monday. Once at home, Westyn’s temperature shot up to 101.5 so we had to take him back to the hospital, this time in Payson, for doctors to access his port and give him antibiotics.
That sums up the last two and a half weeks for Westyn, Shelbi and I. We’re happy to be home.
Thank you,
Westyn, Shelbi and Dustin
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeremy Akers
Organizer
Redondo Beach, CA
Dustin Wilson
Beneficiary
