Kim Friery Medical Fund
Donation protected
My name is Brent Lobanoff and I am a close family friend of the Friery Family. I have been blessed to have known this family for the past 16 years and they are a great example of everything that is good in this country. Matt and Kim's love for each other is inspirational and their 3 wonderful children are products of this love and their strong Christian faith.
I started this Fund for the Friery Family: Matt, Kim, Ella, Emma and Eli.
100% of the money raised will be used to offest the travel and medical costs that will be incurred for the two back to back surgeries that Kim will have in Boston, Massachuttes on November 3rd and 4th and the estimated 21 days that Kim and Matt will be in Boston.
Many of you have asked about the specifics of Kim's tumor so I have asked her to explain in her own words it's history and the surgery and treatment she will be having in Boston and going forward.
"The story of the Tumor that wouldn't quit"
14 years ago I was diagnosed with a non-functioning pituitary macro-adenoma. Essentially that meant I had a tumor on my pituitary gland that was large and didn't produce any hormones, just reeked havoc on my eyesight. My first transsphenoidal surgery was in July 2002 with a minor Cerebral Spinal Fluid leak. The tumor returned while pregnant with my son Eli in late 2005. I had surgery in December 2006 with major complications and was hospitalized for 37 days and had two additional surgeries during that time. The tumor retuned and I underwent Gamma Knife Radiation in 2010. I had surgery again in Nov 2012 and May 2014. It was discovered at that time the tumor had manifested itself into an aggressive, ACTH Producing tumor. The surgery was followed with 5 weeks of Proton Beam radiation that summer. We were hopeful this would be the cure all. Unfortunately, in February I started showing some physical signs that were written off as problems due to radiation damage. Because this made no sense to me, I continued to push for testing and a more definitive diagnosis. Sure enough, the tumor had returned again. This time it has spread rapidly and is effecting most of my facial and auditory nerves. It has also wrapped itself around both of my carotid arteries. This will require two separate invasive surgeries, back-to-back. I am considered a high risk patient due to past complications and because radiation has made everything "crusty". We are expected to be in Boston for 18-21 days then hopefully return home. Once I have healed about 4 weeks I will be started on a chemotherapy drug called Temodar . This is a medication that can be taken at home but will require at least two trips to Little Rock every month for blood work and doctors visits. I am expected to be on the chemotherapy for a minimum for a year. We were informed that this is not expected to be a cure because only about 15-20% remain in remission for an extended period of time. However, more radiation is not an option and surgery can only get part of the tumor. We know that God is with us on this journey. We pray for steady hands and clear minds for our doctors.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
~ Kim Friery
I ask that everybody give generously.
Sincerely,
Brent Lobanoff
I started this Fund for the Friery Family: Matt, Kim, Ella, Emma and Eli.
100% of the money raised will be used to offest the travel and medical costs that will be incurred for the two back to back surgeries that Kim will have in Boston, Massachuttes on November 3rd and 4th and the estimated 21 days that Kim and Matt will be in Boston.
Many of you have asked about the specifics of Kim's tumor so I have asked her to explain in her own words it's history and the surgery and treatment she will be having in Boston and going forward.
"The story of the Tumor that wouldn't quit"
14 years ago I was diagnosed with a non-functioning pituitary macro-adenoma. Essentially that meant I had a tumor on my pituitary gland that was large and didn't produce any hormones, just reeked havoc on my eyesight. My first transsphenoidal surgery was in July 2002 with a minor Cerebral Spinal Fluid leak. The tumor returned while pregnant with my son Eli in late 2005. I had surgery in December 2006 with major complications and was hospitalized for 37 days and had two additional surgeries during that time. The tumor retuned and I underwent Gamma Knife Radiation in 2010. I had surgery again in Nov 2012 and May 2014. It was discovered at that time the tumor had manifested itself into an aggressive, ACTH Producing tumor. The surgery was followed with 5 weeks of Proton Beam radiation that summer. We were hopeful this would be the cure all. Unfortunately, in February I started showing some physical signs that were written off as problems due to radiation damage. Because this made no sense to me, I continued to push for testing and a more definitive diagnosis. Sure enough, the tumor had returned again. This time it has spread rapidly and is effecting most of my facial and auditory nerves. It has also wrapped itself around both of my carotid arteries. This will require two separate invasive surgeries, back-to-back. I am considered a high risk patient due to past complications and because radiation has made everything "crusty". We are expected to be in Boston for 18-21 days then hopefully return home. Once I have healed about 4 weeks I will be started on a chemotherapy drug called Temodar . This is a medication that can be taken at home but will require at least two trips to Little Rock every month for blood work and doctors visits. I am expected to be on the chemotherapy for a minimum for a year. We were informed that this is not expected to be a cure because only about 15-20% remain in remission for an extended period of time. However, more radiation is not an option and surgery can only get part of the tumor. We know that God is with us on this journey. We pray for steady hands and clear minds for our doctors.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
~ Kim Friery
I ask that everybody give generously.
Sincerely,
Brent Lobanoff
Organizer and beneficiary
Brent Lobanoff
Organizer
Little Rock, AR
Matt Friery
Beneficiary