Donation protected
John's journey started on Sunday, September 20th. John had a really bad belly ache that wouldn’t go away. Mom and Dad decided to take him to the emergency room. They found a mass in John’s abdomen and transferred him by ambulance to to UNC Children’s Hospital Chapel Hill.
The next day was a blur of doctors and questions and plans. Tuesday, September 22nd was a huge day for John. He had to be put under anesthesia to have abdomen surgery to safely get a biopsy of the mass. They also installed a port for IV access, performed a bone marrow biopsy, and put in an epidural for pain. After surgery, he got a PET scan to determine if any other areas of the body were affected. On Wednesday, he had yet another procedure, a lumbar puncture to see if his brain and spinal cord were affected. Wednesday evening, he was given a mild dose of chemo.
His PET scan showed only the abdomen is affected. His bone marrow is not affected, and his lumbar puncture was clear. The biopsy of the mass in his abdomen confirmed our worst fear, John has Non-Hodgkin’s B-cell type lymphoma. We have been told this is a very aggressive cancer, but it is also a very curable when treated aggressively. John will spend the next several months in and out of UNC hospital receiving chemo treatments. James and Michelle hope to be there by his side. This means that they will both need to spend time away from work and their other 2 children.
We know there are so many people who love and care for John, many of you have asked how you can help. I have set up this page on behalf of Michelle and James. All funds collected will be used toward John's medical care and the families expenses during John's treatment and recovery. This may include hospital bills, medicine, travel expenses, lodging, meals, childcare, and other expenses. Thank you all for your love and support! If you are unable to donate we believe strongly in the power of prayer and ask that you lift up John in yours.
"The Lord is greater than the giants you face."
1 John 4:4
The next day was a blur of doctors and questions and plans. Tuesday, September 22nd was a huge day for John. He had to be put under anesthesia to have abdomen surgery to safely get a biopsy of the mass. They also installed a port for IV access, performed a bone marrow biopsy, and put in an epidural for pain. After surgery, he got a PET scan to determine if any other areas of the body were affected. On Wednesday, he had yet another procedure, a lumbar puncture to see if his brain and spinal cord were affected. Wednesday evening, he was given a mild dose of chemo.
His PET scan showed only the abdomen is affected. His bone marrow is not affected, and his lumbar puncture was clear. The biopsy of the mass in his abdomen confirmed our worst fear, John has Non-Hodgkin’s B-cell type lymphoma. We have been told this is a very aggressive cancer, but it is also a very curable when treated aggressively. John will spend the next several months in and out of UNC hospital receiving chemo treatments. James and Michelle hope to be there by his side. This means that they will both need to spend time away from work and their other 2 children.
We know there are so many people who love and care for John, many of you have asked how you can help. I have set up this page on behalf of Michelle and James. All funds collected will be used toward John's medical care and the families expenses during John's treatment and recovery. This may include hospital bills, medicine, travel expenses, lodging, meals, childcare, and other expenses. Thank you all for your love and support! If you are unable to donate we believe strongly in the power of prayer and ask that you lift up John in yours.
"The Lord is greater than the giants you face."
1 John 4:4
Organizer and beneficiary
LeeAnn Tluchowski
Organizer
Carolina Beach, NC
Michelle Vrba
Beneficiary