Jr Gruber's fight of small cell lung cancer

Hi, my name is Tammy Gruber-Ball. Me, my brother Mike Gruber, and my father Joe Boyle are raising funds for our brother/son (JR) Robert Gruber. He was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer Staged IIIC back in November 2023. It is the very aggressive type of lung cancer. This type of lung cancer can only be treated with chemo/radiation and can not be surgically removed. Small cell lung cancer often rapidly grows and spreads to other organs. Even with treatment and remission, the cancer often returns with a very high mortality rate. It has a survival rate of months to years. JR has completed his first round of chemo and is currently doing radiation 5x week in which he has to travel 45 minutes each way with numerous DR appts in between. The radiation treatment has caused him severe radiation induced esophagitis (ulcers in the esophagus) causing extreme difficulty swallowing and severe gastritis of the stomach. Over the past few weeks, JR has lost over 65lbs and is unable to swallow water without severe burning that feels like "razor blades". This is a severe side effect of chest radiation. He is receiving IV fluids 3x a week and has to take Morphine and a cocktail of Benadryl mixed with Lidocaine to numb himself prior ingesting liquids or soft solids and even still has difficulty. He has been out of work for over 3 weeks and has exhausted all his paid time off. In order to keep his medical benefits, he still needs to pay all his premiums while out of work. His gas expenses, prescriptions, rising major medical bills, and household expenses have become overwhelming to keep up with. In addition, he has to try to care for 6 children between him and his beautiful girlfriend Lindsay who has been right by his side since day 1.

Any donation will directly go to JR to help with this ongoing financial burden. He truly is in the fight of his life. Any donation is appreciated. If you would like to donate outside of the GoFundMe you may send a check or cash donation to Robert Gruber 201 Canal Street Jim Thorpe PA 18229. Cash may also be given to Mike Gruber or Joe Boyle for local donations. If you cannot donate sharing is also greatly appreciated. Please keep JR in your thoughts and prayers as he fights small cell cancer.

Thank you,

Tammy Gruber-Ball, Mike Gruber, Joe Boyle and family