In May, 2022 my brother-in-law Mark Lewis was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer after a tonsillectomy. Further testing revealed Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma-Not Otherwise Specified (PTCL-NOS) which has no cure, but remission is possible. Between June and November, 2022 Mark got 6 cycles of BV-CHP chemo through UT Southwestern in Dallas and by early December, 2022 he was in remission! A stem cell transplant (SCT) was planned for January, 2023, but due to an unfortunate change in insurance providers, the SCT was denied by the new provider.

While working to get the SCT approved, Mark’s cancer came back hard and fast, to the point he was no longer medically eligible for the SCT. He spent February through April back and forth at UTSW receiving multiple rounds of a “second line” ICE chemo which didn’t touch this very progressive, medicine-resistant cancer. Next he was given several treatments of B-VB, which also comes with a stomach jab of a rejection drug (Neulasta) that is $10,000 per dose. Then the lymphoma metastasized to Mark’s skin which created blisters all over his body. Shortly after this, the UTSW oncology team told Mark there was no more they could do for him short of hospice care.

On May 2 a world-renowned expert in Mark’s specific type of lymphoma, located at MD Anderson in Houston, agreed to see him on an emergency basis. The Dr. determined Mark was misdiagnosed and has a very uncommon form of lymphoma called Sezary Syndrome. UTSW had been treating him with cell-destroying chemo, so MDA has offered cell-building Monoclonal Antibodies in an attempt to build new, healthy cells. Mark is now blood- and platelet-infusion-dependent in order to survive. UTSW will no longer give him these infusions, so temporary relocation to Houston was the only choice available to Leah and Mark. As of this posting Leah has secured modest accommodations near the hospital while Mark receives treatment. They will be there for a while whether Mark is in hospital, in skilled nursing or receiving treatment on an out-patient basis. If doctors at MDA determine there is nothing more they can do and Mark transitions into hospice care, the need for financial help will still be there.

So far during Mark’s battle there has been much we can’t do, like visit in person or even send flowers because it might compromise his immune system. One thing we CAN do is pray and I’ve seen God show up for Mark time and time again due to the many prayer warriors storming God’s throne on his behalf. We serve a mighty God! Please join me in praying for Mark’s body to have the strength to fight this cancer and be able to go into remission. He desperately wants to see their son Kieran graduate from Boot Camp next fall!

Setting up this GoFundMe account is a tangible way we can offer help, the goal being to raise $30,000 to help offset expenses associated with their relocation to Houston as well as out-of-pocket medical bills not covered by insurance. Mark’s FMLA through his employer has been exhausted so he is now on disability. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!