Help Mance fight cancer

 
Help Mance beat cancer!

Mance was recently diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in his throat, that metastasized into a few of his lymph nodes.  He has already undergone two biopsies and numerous scans and will be starting treatments at the end of April.  He will likely be unable to work for 5-7 weeks during his treatments & a few weeks following treatments during recovery.  His job is very physically taxing as well as involving dust (which he has to avoid during treatment), so it may mean more time away from work. From doctor’s bills and insurance co-pays to travel costs, lost wages, and care for the kids over the summer, it is adding up. 

They are not sure what they will be up against for medical costs as the bills have just started coming in; and, because the daily treatments mean at least 3 hours of drive time each day... they may also need to arrange for lodging toward the end of treatments as Mance may not have the option of driving each day.  

 

Treatments 

Mance will be undergoing daily radiation treatments to a large area at the back of his throat & lymph nodes on both sides of his neck for 7 weeks, as well as three chemotherapy treatments.   The doctors are trying to avoid a neck dissection as that would be much more traumatic.


Prognosis 

Mance’s doctors say Squamous Cell Carcinoma is very treatable, and potentially curable, so we are very hopeful he is going to beat this cancer and live a long life!  However, because of the spread to the lymph nodes it will take a little more treatment & monthly follow up for a couple years... then yearly following up for 5 years.  They are hoping for the best & trusting the team of doctors at Anschutz....they have been very positive.  

 
Overall 

Loved fiercely by his two children, wife and friends alike, Mance is ready to fight this with everything he has.  Trying hard to keep life going as usual - as much as possible for the kids.  The boys are being very strong even though they are scared about what Mance has to go through.

2018 has already started out pretty bumpy for the family. The previous company Jeanine was employed with sold out and restructured which resulted in not only lost wages, but also a loss of benefits, and company stock with a $0 payout. 

Jeanine has recently accepted a position which will limit the amount of time she has to be at/drive him to appointments. The kids are off school during the summer which causes additional hardship to find affordable care.    It’s been a tough start to 2018 for sure... so the goal is to keep chins up & make it a better rest of the year!  

 Thank you for being with us on this journey. We could not do this all without you. Mance is starting treatment soon, and will keep you posted on progress & results.  Thanks for your continued love and support