Joe Fast's Battle with Leukemia

Joe's battle began on Monday, February 6th. Joe complained of a severe headache, and pain behind his left eye. He began vomiting uncontrollably. His girlfriend, Chelsey, took Joe to the Emergency Room (ER). Dupont ER worked Joe up and did a CT scan because Joe said that this pain was not like previous migraine pains. The dr came in and told Joe he was being transferred to Lutheran because he has a brain bleed (hemmoragic stroke) and he believes he has Leukemia because his white blood cells are above 450,000 and his platelets are 59 and hemoglobin 7.4. It was then that everyone realized how sick Joe was. Joe was put on Med surg ICU, the oncologist and attending dr came in and told us that Joe was very sick and could die at any time. He would need aggressive treatment and there is no guarantee. They started him on keppra to prevent seizures immediately, started chemo tablets and leukophoresis (pulling of white blood cells from the blood). Joe's neuro status was decreased and he started having difficulty with word production. The following afternoon Joe suffered a seizure, his right side became effected. A CT showed more swelling and midline shift of the brain, and the bleed had slightly increased, when compared to his previous CT scan. The Drs decided to transfer him, where he could get the best neurological care and treatment....IU Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana (more than 2 hours away from home).
He needed to get there fast, but unfortunately couldn't be flown by helicopter due to the weather...it was rainy and foggy on Monday February 7 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, so he was emergently transported by EMS to IU Health Methodist Hospital. Treatment was started right away. He received a big dose of keppra and leukophoresis as soon as he arrived. Joe had another seizure and was intubated (breathing tube placed in his lungs, breathing with a ventilator). He has had a wonderful health care team that advocated for him and worked aggressively to save him and turn this around. The neuro surgeon said Joe's bleed is not in an area where he could remove it and if he had to do an emergent surgery he did not think the outcome would be good. He received multiple units/bags of platelets, blood, 4 treatments of leukophoresis, antibiotics and chemo, 3% for brain swelling, NG/Og tube feedings, a picc line was placed. He had hourly Neuro checks and was monitored by neuro telemetry. Joe had a few more seizures and a CT showed Joe's bleed to be resolving causing edema around the area and a few small bleeds were noted. Neuro surgeon said he will be closely monitored, if it got worse the only thing he could do is get an Brain flap and let it swell out. That has been monitored by his Neuro checks. Praise God and all the Prayers.
He is on a progressive unit where he is receiving physical therapy and speech therapy for aphasia and monitored closely by neurology, oncology and neuro surgery in addition to the hospital doctor.  
There his battle continues....


Standing in pic (L-R):
Nick (step-dad), Cody (brother), Diana (sister), Rachael (mom), Joe, and Morgan (sister). 

Any contribution to help relieve this family from this huge financial responsibility would be an incredible blessing and would allow them to focus on Joe, and getting Joe well again, which needs to be their number one priority. 
As of Monday, February 6, Joe's mother, Rachael, a registered nurse (RN) from Fort Wayne, has been by his side. As this mother, who's spent her life helping and saving the lives of others, now needs our help (donations, prayers, blessings, etc.....) in helping her own child.....

Your donations will help them with their medical expenses, future medications and chemotherapy for Joe and everyday expenses from loss of work, etc....
No donation is too small!! EVERY donation is a blessing.
May God Bless each and every one of you for your compassion during this very difficult time.  Please keep Joe and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they continue this journey.