John's "Cancer sucks" Fund
Donation protected
In April of 2012, I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of the lung, and had the lower lobe of my left lung removed. I endured a thoracotomy, which is an open chest surgical procedure, using a rib spreader to access internal organs. I also endured 16 chemotherapy treatments, with several neupagen shots needed in order to keep my blood cell count in an acceptable range. I also returned to full-time work way before my doctors wanted me to, but I needed to pay the bills and did not have any disability pay available at the time.
After chemo, a CT Scan was scheduled every 3 months to make sure nothing abnormal surfaced. This regimen continued for two years with no identified reoccurrence. As a result, the CT Scan frequency moved to every 4 months for the next two years, and fortunately, still clean. After 5 years, a lung cancer patient is considered "cured". I was within one scan of my 5-year anniversary, and the unimaginable occurred as a new growth was identified in my chest, between my lungs, next to my heart, and attached to my aorta.
Two attempts were made to biopsy the mass: one through the esophagus and one through the trachea. Neither was successful, and after careful consideration, research and advice, it was determined another surgery would be performed to biopsy and remove whatever it was growing inside me.
The plan was to attempt a VATS procedure first, which is far less invasive than a thoracotomy, utilizing a video scope to guide the tools toward the mass for removal. However, potential complications were anticipated which would have made the VATS procedure impossible. We decided if complications eliminated the VATS from consideration, the surgeons would immediately perform another thoracotomy to remove the mass. My single focus was removal of this growth, and I would endure the pain of another thoracotomy if that's what it took. It was the only way.
The surgeons at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University were amazing, and were able to utilize the VATS procedure even though the surgeon described my chest cavity as a "tiger pit". The success of the surgery however, was overshadowed by the diagnoses of another adenocarcinoma mass, but this time in the mediastinum region of my chest, which means cancer was present around all of the busiest blood and air passageways in my body. The mass was out, and once healed, the new protocol involved chemo and radiation, with radiation occurring each day, Monday through Friday, for six weeks.
I am three weeks into the radiation therapy and have had 4 chemo treatments. Fatigue is an issue, and now my esophagus is under assault, making it very difficult and painful to eat and drink.
I will get through this because there is no other acceptable outcome for me. The clock on the CT Scans resets to every three months after the completion of my chemo rounds, sometime in May. Each CT Scan brings high anxiety as results are delivered, and hopefully remains clean through the 5 years of tests. However, if something comes up again, I will fight it again, and win again.
I appreciate this has already been a rather long review of "my story", so I'll get to the point. It has been suggested to me by several friends and acquaintances to consider requesting help through a page on this site, so I can not only pay my new health bills, but also finish paying the ones I still have pending from the first battle 5 years ago. I am juggling the various debt collectors and paying what I can, but the new cancer occurrence has greatly complicated the financial part of my journey. It is not easy for me to ask for help. Those of you who really know me can attest for my stubbornness, especially in situations of high challenge. But, the reality is I'm tired of fighting so hard and then not being able to celebrate the added life I've earned with my family and friends, due to the overwhelming burden of the medical bills. So, I've decided to swallow my pride and ask for your help.
The money you provide will go to paying my wonderful health care team, as they have become family and deserve every dollar they're owed. If there is any left, it will be used for needed repairs on the house which have lingered too long and for which I do not have the energy or expertise to finish. In return, I will provide updates of my progress in this latest fight against this awful disease, as well as updates on our lives. 2017 is a big year, as our daughter, Sierra, is engaged to be married in December, and Holly and I will be celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary in October. I plan to attend these events and many more for many years to come.
Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for your support and financial help towards my healing. God bless all of you, and as I always say, "F cancer".
After chemo, a CT Scan was scheduled every 3 months to make sure nothing abnormal surfaced. This regimen continued for two years with no identified reoccurrence. As a result, the CT Scan frequency moved to every 4 months for the next two years, and fortunately, still clean. After 5 years, a lung cancer patient is considered "cured". I was within one scan of my 5-year anniversary, and the unimaginable occurred as a new growth was identified in my chest, between my lungs, next to my heart, and attached to my aorta.
Two attempts were made to biopsy the mass: one through the esophagus and one through the trachea. Neither was successful, and after careful consideration, research and advice, it was determined another surgery would be performed to biopsy and remove whatever it was growing inside me.
The plan was to attempt a VATS procedure first, which is far less invasive than a thoracotomy, utilizing a video scope to guide the tools toward the mass for removal. However, potential complications were anticipated which would have made the VATS procedure impossible. We decided if complications eliminated the VATS from consideration, the surgeons would immediately perform another thoracotomy to remove the mass. My single focus was removal of this growth, and I would endure the pain of another thoracotomy if that's what it took. It was the only way.
The surgeons at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University were amazing, and were able to utilize the VATS procedure even though the surgeon described my chest cavity as a "tiger pit". The success of the surgery however, was overshadowed by the diagnoses of another adenocarcinoma mass, but this time in the mediastinum region of my chest, which means cancer was present around all of the busiest blood and air passageways in my body. The mass was out, and once healed, the new protocol involved chemo and radiation, with radiation occurring each day, Monday through Friday, for six weeks.
I am three weeks into the radiation therapy and have had 4 chemo treatments. Fatigue is an issue, and now my esophagus is under assault, making it very difficult and painful to eat and drink.
I will get through this because there is no other acceptable outcome for me. The clock on the CT Scans resets to every three months after the completion of my chemo rounds, sometime in May. Each CT Scan brings high anxiety as results are delivered, and hopefully remains clean through the 5 years of tests. However, if something comes up again, I will fight it again, and win again.
I appreciate this has already been a rather long review of "my story", so I'll get to the point. It has been suggested to me by several friends and acquaintances to consider requesting help through a page on this site, so I can not only pay my new health bills, but also finish paying the ones I still have pending from the first battle 5 years ago. I am juggling the various debt collectors and paying what I can, but the new cancer occurrence has greatly complicated the financial part of my journey. It is not easy for me to ask for help. Those of you who really know me can attest for my stubbornness, especially in situations of high challenge. But, the reality is I'm tired of fighting so hard and then not being able to celebrate the added life I've earned with my family and friends, due to the overwhelming burden of the medical bills. So, I've decided to swallow my pride and ask for your help.
The money you provide will go to paying my wonderful health care team, as they have become family and deserve every dollar they're owed. If there is any left, it will be used for needed repairs on the house which have lingered too long and for which I do not have the energy or expertise to finish. In return, I will provide updates of my progress in this latest fight against this awful disease, as well as updates on our lives. 2017 is a big year, as our daughter, Sierra, is engaged to be married in December, and Holly and I will be celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary in October. I plan to attend these events and many more for many years to come.
Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for your support and financial help towards my healing. God bless all of you, and as I always say, "F cancer".
Organizer
John Eggert
Organizer
Dayton, OH