Jeremy's Rally Against Melanoma
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When I received the phone call from my then fiance, Jeremy, that the results from the cyst like spot that had been removed from his neck came back as Melanoma, I felt like someone punched me in the stomach... Here was my 26 year old finance who rarely, if ever got sick, was diagnosed with the most deadly form of skin cancer.
Fast forward to today, Jeremy and I have been married for a little under three years and his Melanoma has progressed from Stage 2b, when it was initally diagnosed, to stage 4. His Melanoma has spread to his spinal fluid, brain, and lungs. Over the past 4 years, he has been going through treatment with the hopes of curing his Melanoma. Here is a brief overview of the tretament he has received the past four years:
Four Surgeries - 1) Lymphadenectomy; 2) Lung Surgery; 3) Brain Surgery to remove tumors in his frontal lobe; and 4) Brain Surgery to remove a tumor in his cerebellum.
Four Chemotherapy Treatments - 1) Yervoy - Immunotherapy; 2) Keytruda - different Immunotherapy; 3) Mekinist & Tafinlar - BRAF inhibitor chemo; 4) back to Yervoy.
Radiation Treatment - 1) Three SRS radiation treatments for brain mets; 2) Four whole brain radiation and sprinal radiation treatments
Through all of this, Jeremy has continued to work only periodically taking off a week or two here and there to recover from his surgeries… It wasn't until a recent MRI showed the Melanoma had spread to his spinal column and two more mets showed up in his brain, that he decided he could no longer work.
Last week he completed four rounds of radiation treatment, but unfortunately as the week went on he started to have weakness in his legs. By the end of the week, Jeremy had full paralysis below his waist and had been admitted to Hospice care to help with pain treatment and balanace. We are hoping Jeremy can discontinue hospice treatment and continue with his Yervoy treatment next week.
In light of recent developments, we are asking for some financial assistance that would be used for the following:
1) In-home care
2) Equipment needed to help jeremy move around the home more comfortably (examples: wheelchair, hoyer lift, hospital bed, etc.)
3) Pay day-to-day bills while Jeremy is off of work
4) Pay for treatment
We thank you with all of our heart for considering to donate to Jeremy's Rally Against Melanoma.
Fast forward to today, Jeremy and I have been married for a little under three years and his Melanoma has progressed from Stage 2b, when it was initally diagnosed, to stage 4. His Melanoma has spread to his spinal fluid, brain, and lungs. Over the past 4 years, he has been going through treatment with the hopes of curing his Melanoma. Here is a brief overview of the tretament he has received the past four years:
Four Surgeries - 1) Lymphadenectomy; 2) Lung Surgery; 3) Brain Surgery to remove tumors in his frontal lobe; and 4) Brain Surgery to remove a tumor in his cerebellum.
Four Chemotherapy Treatments - 1) Yervoy - Immunotherapy; 2) Keytruda - different Immunotherapy; 3) Mekinist & Tafinlar - BRAF inhibitor chemo; 4) back to Yervoy.
Radiation Treatment - 1) Three SRS radiation treatments for brain mets; 2) Four whole brain radiation and sprinal radiation treatments
Through all of this, Jeremy has continued to work only periodically taking off a week or two here and there to recover from his surgeries… It wasn't until a recent MRI showed the Melanoma had spread to his spinal column and two more mets showed up in his brain, that he decided he could no longer work.
Last week he completed four rounds of radiation treatment, but unfortunately as the week went on he started to have weakness in his legs. By the end of the week, Jeremy had full paralysis below his waist and had been admitted to Hospice care to help with pain treatment and balanace. We are hoping Jeremy can discontinue hospice treatment and continue with his Yervoy treatment next week.
In light of recent developments, we are asking for some financial assistance that would be used for the following:
1) In-home care
2) Equipment needed to help jeremy move around the home more comfortably (examples: wheelchair, hoyer lift, hospital bed, etc.)
3) Pay day-to-day bills while Jeremy is off of work
4) Pay for treatment
We thank you with all of our heart for considering to donate to Jeremy's Rally Against Melanoma.
Organizer
Ashley VanDyke
Organizer
Grandville, MI
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