Kevin’s Cancer Journey Continues 3-13-15

Kevin has been fighting Spindle Cell Sarcoma since May 2013.  This is a soft tissue cancer and his started on his leg, specifically at the base of his calf.  He went through very harsh chemotherapy, then weeks of radiation and finally surgery.  This process took 1 year to complete.  

We had very high hopes that the cancer was gone because the initial scans after surgery didn't show any signs of the cancer in his leg or in other critical areas of his body.  However about 6 months after the surgery he went in for normal follow up scans in Houston and received devastating news that the cancer had metastasized to his lungs.  A total of 12 tumors (7 in one lung and 5 in the other) and at the time it only looked as if one tumor was growing.  He immediately went on a normal chemotherapy regimen for sarcoma in the lungs but it rarely works.  Of course it didn't and his oncologist then put him back on the harsh chemo he was originally on and it did seem to kill the large tumor but had no effect on the other 11 small ones.  His oncologist said the tumors are resistant to that chemo and now wants to get him started in a clinical trial for a drug not yet approved by the FDA.  

We then reached out to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America for guidance.  They stressed the importance of getting a second opinion and loaded us up with lots of useful information.  We’ve received good news from our patient advocate at CTCA and his insurance company has approved him for treatment there.  Great news!!  However the center he will need to go to is in Zion, IL.

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America will pay for the airfare to the center which is awesome but there will be lots of other expenses incurred with travel costs, lodging, co-pays, etc.  We've been so very blessed to have great friends that have spent a ton of time, effort and their own money to put together an amazing fund raiser last fall.  I don't know how we would have made it this far without everyone’s kindness and generosity.  It truly is overwhelming.

This fund is being created because we are well aware of the upcoming costs that he and his family will be incurring as we continue to fight and with God’s help beat this horrible disease.  Any help with these costs are appreciated more than you can imagine.  It's hard to ask for help but sometimes you have to put pride aside, humble yourself and just ask.

Please share this with anyone that knows Kevin and might want to either send him an encouraging word or provide a little help.

Thank you