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Jon's Fight Against Kidney Cancer

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This is to help the Apgar Family with anything they may need to get through this difficult time. Anything helps.

A little about Jon:
Jonathan Apgar was recently diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common and aggressive form of kidney cancer. Jon underwent a right nephrectomy (kidney removal) that encapsulated the cancerous tumor on July 26th, roughly 5 weeks after our precious baby girl, Addyson, was born. He was recovering well and feeling better each day. Roughly 4 weeks ago, Jon started having a lot of abdominal and back pain. He went back to the urologist who ordered an abdominal cat scan to determine the source of his pain. Unfortunately the scan showed reoccurrence of the cancer. There was a mass found in the cavity where the kidney used to be, one near the liver, pancreas and several lymph nodes effected. Because so many places were effected, it is considered stage 4. The tumors grew so rapidly that soon Jon was unable to eat or drink due to severe nausea and vomiting. A repeat CT showed that a tumor was occluding his intestines and not allowing his stomach to empty, thus causing his symptoms. We are currently up at OHSU where a team of specialized doctors are devising a plan that will be safest and most effective at increasing Jon's quality of life.

After 2nd surgery:The urology oncologist surgeon and gastro surgeon were not able to remove the tumor because it fed into the major vessels of the intestines. Removing these vessels would pose more of a risk than benefit to surgery and the recovery of his intestines. They were able to take a small amount of tumor out to send to pathology...taking any lymph nodes was also too risky. They believe the cancer is more characteristic of renal cell sarcoma rather than renal cell carcinoma. This explains its aggressiveness. Differentiating these two is crucial to Jon's treatment. The treatment plan wont be known until pathology results are known in 5-7 days. Regardless, treatment wouldn't start for at least 2 weeks after surgery to allow for healing since treatment causes immunosuppression. They are placing a tube in his stomach to decompress his stomach after drinking and eating and a tube below the blockage in his jejunum for enteral feedings and medication administration. They said he should be able to eat soft foods soon and will receive feedings after several days when the intestines recover from surgery.


If anyone can help this wonderful family in any way that would be wonderful. Everyone keep praying and stay strong Jon!
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $250 
    • 10 yrs
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Organizer

Kendall Meier
Organizer
Salem, OR

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