Cancer Recovery for Bart Vattieri

Update! Thank you to all of the generous friends and family members that donated to Bart's campaign.  He currently undergoing radiation at the U of P and things are looking up.  His radiation will be complete by the end of June and we will know more about his prognosis from there.  Bart is still out of work and won't be back in action until after the radiation in finished. In the meantime, he is still paying bills, for food and back and forth to the hospital everyday, which is a major challenge.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!  Love, Bart and family 







Bart was diagnosed with Squamous cell carcinoma in June/ 2018. Temple started tests and discovered the tumor was in his tonsil. They planned for surgery in Sept. He spent 7 hours undergoing surgery to remove the tumor only to find that the cancer had metastasized into his lymph-nodes and the soft tissue. The decision was made to leave the cancer in the soft tissue and lymph  and treat the cancer with radiation/chemo. Bart was told he had a 50/50 chance with the radiation/chemo. He then decided to get a second opinion from the University of Pa. The UofP surgeon decided to take a different path of treatment than Temple suggested and went back into to remove more cancer from the tonsil and the surrounding lymph-nodes in the beginning of January. The surgeon removed 9 inches of muscle from the leg and replaced half of Bart's tongue with thigh muscle, he also removed all of the lymph surrounding. The 16 hour surgery went well but the recovery is very difficult. Communication is  limited but progressing. They expected 4-6 days in the hospital and then home for home-care. However, he ended up in the hospital for two weeks on an NG tube and breathing through a tracheotomy. The hospital decided it was best to move him into a rehab to continue care. The first fews days went well, seemed he was gaining weight and he'd be out soon. On day three, things started to change and Bart started with a chest infection and thrush. The progress he made with eating was stifled by the thrush/swelling in his throat causing a major drop in his weight and kept the surgeons from removing his trach as planned. Insurance was cut, and Bart was sent home prematurely with tracheostomy's and tube. He was told he could apply for an extension or re-admission but was denied, this is based on what the insurance deems "rehab" eligible, it is a very grey area. After a few weeks at home, they were able to remove his trach and feeding tube but he has limited ability to swallow and this is hindering weight gain, which is needed for the next step of radiation. Chemotherapy wasn't part of his plan but it seems things may be taking a new direction. This is a time for healing but the circumstances are preventing Bart from gaining weight, and strength and preparing for radiation, oral surgery and possibly chemo. Once the radiation begins, swallowing and eating will get increasingly harder and he will be put on a peg tube to keep up with nutrients. In the meantime, Bart is not able to work and may not be able to work for quite some time. If you have helpful advice on care or state benefits, please let us know. Bart is currently drinking Boost 360 for his meals, if you'd like to donate shakes, he likes Vanilla and they will continue during and after radiation. (Off brand products caused some complications and surgeon advised to stick with Boost 360 only- thank you kindly :)) Thank you for your time and generosity. All contributions will be used toward Bart's recovery. Hoping to get healthy by the time his third grandchild is born in July. It is a long road but we are hoping to manage it and get him back on track.