Derek hadn't felt well in weeks but, didn't want to put any of his family out. After the family persuaded him to seek medical attention he finally did. Derek started with a Doctor in Raton, New Mexico where he and his family live. The Doctors in Raton sent him to specialist in Santa Fe, NM for what they thought was pneumonia. After ruling out pneumonia and realizing it was much more serious they sent him to The University of Colorado Cancer Center in Aurora. He was admitted on February 22, 2015 and is currently still there.
Derek has a form of cancer that Doctors are still unable to figure out what kind it is and how to treat it! He is suffering blood loss and has had multiple blood transfusions since being admitted. He had a massive tumor on his right bicep that the Doctors had at first thought he would lose his entire arm but, were able to thankfully save his arm and carefully remove the tumor. Unfortunately after the surgery they found multiple tumors inside his head and are speculating that there is cancer in his kidneys and possibly lungs as well. They have taken 2 biopsies but, no conclusions have been drawn from those yet.
The Cancer Doctors are working very hard to find a combination of chemo and/or radiation that could effectively fight whatever type of cancer this is. Derek is on constant pain medication to keep him remain comfortable and is on anti seizure medication as well.
Derek and his family's expenses are adding up quickly, expenses that Medicaid won't cover - lodging, traveling and food expenses. His family wants and needs to be there to support him but, it is difficult with limited funds. Any amount of money that anyone could donate would tremendously help Derek and The Helin Family right now is this difficult time.
Derek has a form of cancer that Doctors are still unable to figure out what kind it is and how to treat it! He is suffering blood loss and has had multiple blood transfusions since being admitted. He had a massive tumor on his right bicep that the Doctors had at first thought he would lose his entire arm but, were able to thankfully save his arm and carefully remove the tumor. Unfortunately after the surgery they found multiple tumors inside his head and are speculating that there is cancer in his kidneys and possibly lungs as well. They have taken 2 biopsies but, no conclusions have been drawn from those yet.
The Cancer Doctors are working very hard to find a combination of chemo and/or radiation that could effectively fight whatever type of cancer this is. Derek is on constant pain medication to keep him remain comfortable and is on anti seizure medication as well.
Derek and his family's expenses are adding up quickly, expenses that Medicaid won't cover - lodging, traveling and food expenses. His family wants and needs to be there to support him but, it is difficult with limited funds. Any amount of money that anyone could donate would tremendously help Derek and The Helin Family right now is this difficult time.