Support For Marc and His Family
Donation protected
Update: Nov 28.
Things have visibly shrunk. The multifaceted attack seems to worked out in that respect. Having insurance hiccups but taking steps to resolve. Im one appointment away from getting some answers. At very least news on how to proceed next. Sleep still sucks... Pain is unbearable still. Ill write more wgen caught up..
Update: Oct 28
Had two appointments this week where i had more tests and imaging done. Results will be in within next couple days. Not too thrilled because im starting to detect a little branching out by some docs - in other words a lot of guess work and throwing stuff at the wall to see if it sticks. The good thing is that the broad treatments they have me on seem to have an effect... Its slow but its an effect. Downside is im not sure how much more my liver and kidneys can take... Im willing to push it far if it means less invasive and safer surgery, im just running out of time. Thx u all for the support and help, its saving my family. Special thx to John Shea and the Arts Westfall Foundation as well. My family is surviving thx to all of you and that is all that matters to me.
Update: Hello it's Marc. Just adding an update and saying thx u for the help. I'm being transferred to a long term care facility to continue treatment to shrink the mass in preparation for surgery.
This route will take longer and is a little more risky, but ensures that there is more of my chest wall intact. I just want to be as whole as possible.
When I know more I will post here. In the meantime you call all follow my progress on facebook.
Thx u so much for the support... It means the world
Hi friends, this is Marc Thals’ mom. As many of you may already know, my son has been dealing with a large mass that has developed in his chest. It currently measures 12 by 6 cm. and continues to grow. This mass fits nearly all the criteria for what is called a chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer that tends to hit young to middle aged men.
Being a diagnosis of exclusion has made it difficult getting insurance to approve many new tests and possible procedures. It is chemo and radiation resistant and the only way it is normally dealt with is surgery. He has been through a battery of tests and imaging including 6 painful large gauge needle core biopsies that have failed to give his surgeons and doctors any new information. He’s currently awaiting more testing. These new tests will determine just how much of his chest wall will be removed. Right now my son is in daily constant escalating pain. He can’t take a full breath as the mass makes contact with his lung causing a stabbing pain that radiates outward from its center. Marc may have to go through a very brutal surgery which will remove quite a bit of his chest wall, some ribs and potentially some if not all of his sternum. Marc is dealing with the pain, all the while looking into second opinions as well as new, non-invasive options. He would, after all, like to continue being able to sing and entertain the people he has loved through the years.
As his mother, this knowledge is heartbreaking. Marc’s brother Joe died just four months ago and the thought of Marc not surviving this is unbearable. He doesn’t find asking for help the easiest thing to do so, I’m asking, pleading for you to help him in his hour of need. Marc cares more about his family than himself. His wife and sons will suffer most from his incapacitation or death.
Any assistance would go towards the ridiculously expensive medications and procedures that could save and or extend his life. In addition, your generosity will help him keep his family afloat while he recovers from a dangerous and traumatic procedure. Anyone who would consider helping Marc and his family in what has been an enormously challenging and frightening time for them would mean the world. He has a long road ahead of him that is plagued with uncertainty. I only hope that he, his wife and sons have only to worry about him and not mounting stressors around them during this ordeal. Many thanks to any and all of you and God bless. Toni Sullivan
Things have visibly shrunk. The multifaceted attack seems to worked out in that respect. Having insurance hiccups but taking steps to resolve. Im one appointment away from getting some answers. At very least news on how to proceed next. Sleep still sucks... Pain is unbearable still. Ill write more wgen caught up..
Update: Oct 28
Had two appointments this week where i had more tests and imaging done. Results will be in within next couple days. Not too thrilled because im starting to detect a little branching out by some docs - in other words a lot of guess work and throwing stuff at the wall to see if it sticks. The good thing is that the broad treatments they have me on seem to have an effect... Its slow but its an effect. Downside is im not sure how much more my liver and kidneys can take... Im willing to push it far if it means less invasive and safer surgery, im just running out of time. Thx u all for the support and help, its saving my family. Special thx to John Shea and the Arts Westfall Foundation as well. My family is surviving thx to all of you and that is all that matters to me.
Update: Hello it's Marc. Just adding an update and saying thx u for the help. I'm being transferred to a long term care facility to continue treatment to shrink the mass in preparation for surgery.
This route will take longer and is a little more risky, but ensures that there is more of my chest wall intact. I just want to be as whole as possible.
When I know more I will post here. In the meantime you call all follow my progress on facebook.
Thx u so much for the support... It means the world
Hi friends, this is Marc Thals’ mom. As many of you may already know, my son has been dealing with a large mass that has developed in his chest. It currently measures 12 by 6 cm. and continues to grow. This mass fits nearly all the criteria for what is called a chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer that tends to hit young to middle aged men.
Being a diagnosis of exclusion has made it difficult getting insurance to approve many new tests and possible procedures. It is chemo and radiation resistant and the only way it is normally dealt with is surgery. He has been through a battery of tests and imaging including 6 painful large gauge needle core biopsies that have failed to give his surgeons and doctors any new information. He’s currently awaiting more testing. These new tests will determine just how much of his chest wall will be removed. Right now my son is in daily constant escalating pain. He can’t take a full breath as the mass makes contact with his lung causing a stabbing pain that radiates outward from its center. Marc may have to go through a very brutal surgery which will remove quite a bit of his chest wall, some ribs and potentially some if not all of his sternum. Marc is dealing with the pain, all the while looking into second opinions as well as new, non-invasive options. He would, after all, like to continue being able to sing and entertain the people he has loved through the years.
As his mother, this knowledge is heartbreaking. Marc’s brother Joe died just four months ago and the thought of Marc not surviving this is unbearable. He doesn’t find asking for help the easiest thing to do so, I’m asking, pleading for you to help him in his hour of need. Marc cares more about his family than himself. His wife and sons will suffer most from his incapacitation or death.
Any assistance would go towards the ridiculously expensive medications and procedures that could save and or extend his life. In addition, your generosity will help him keep his family afloat while he recovers from a dangerous and traumatic procedure. Anyone who would consider helping Marc and his family in what has been an enormously challenging and frightening time for them would mean the world. He has a long road ahead of him that is plagued with uncertainty. I only hope that he, his wife and sons have only to worry about him and not mounting stressors around them during this ordeal. Many thanks to any and all of you and God bless. Toni SullivanOrganizer
Toni Sullivan
Organizer
Whitman, MA
