Relief for Kevin Stone
Donation protected
I’ve known Kevin since I was 12 years old. He was the captain of our football and track teams at Edsel Ford High School. He received an academic scholarship and went on to play defensive back at Northwood University and was a high jumper and sprinter in track there as well. He received the coveted Jack B. Finn Award which is awarded to one person each year who excels the most both academically and in football at Northwood University. He’s always been super passionate about life, a positive influence to anyone he comes in contact with, and constantly looking for ways to give back to others and the community. He became a business education teacher at Lake Orion High School where he coached football, basketball and track. He loved his job. To be able to support and develop young adults was a dream come true to him. His students adored him as well. While teaching an unexpected thing happened, he met fellow teacher Alexa Hollweg who would become the love of his life. He always said he would never pursue a co-worker to date, but he found himself sitting in staff meetings just staring at her. I told him that was creepy and he should probably cut that out. He went on to say it was in an adoring way…whatever that means. Alexa felt the same way because within a couple months, she gained the courage to ask him out, something she had wanted to do from the moment she first laid eyes on him. That gave him an out on his “no pursuing co-workers” rule because she asked him out. Kevin was so in love with Alexa, he started looking for a ring after just 2 months of dating. Their unwavering love, support and genuine friendship is evident and inspiring for all who know them. They’ve been married for over 14 years and have two adorable children, Isabel (9) and William (7), that are the light of their lives. Unfortunately, this all came crashing down on him when his career came to an abrupt end last year due to his medical complications.
My dear friend was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in the spring of 2019 at the age of 42. He has battled many ailments his entire adult life, including ulcerative colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, fibromyalgia, and autonomic dysfunction to name the most inhibiting. He has also had dozens of hospitalizations and more than 40 procedures and invasive surgeries over the past 7 years. He had a proctocolectomy (colon and rectum removal) in 2017 due to advanced ulcerative colitis. Kevin now wears a bag outside of his body to collect stool. Following his proctocolectomy, his primary sclerosing cholangitis (liver disease stemming from his ulcerative colitis) advanced. The bile ducts in his liver were narrowing, causing him to require stents to be placed in his ducts every 8-12 weeks to allow bile to flow until inevitably he would require a new liver. During these stent placements, biopsies were being taken regularly. After his 3rd MRCP to place his stents, malignant cells were found during the biopsy. Kevin and Alexa were faced with the gut wrenching diagnosis of Bile Duct Cancer.
Immediately, they dove right into a well regarded action plan for the diagnosis, radiation and chemotherapy, followed by an exploratory staging surgery to rule out metastasis in hopes to be put on the liver transplant list. They were positive this plan would be the answer to their prayers. During this time, Kevin was also completing the multitude of appointments to prepare for a liver transplant. As a liver transplant can have a living donor, friends, family, and even complete strangers were lined up to donate. Kevin and his family were comforted witnessing the outpouring of love, support and true selflessness from others. Since only one person can be tested at a time, his brother Brian proudly stepped up first, only to find out that his liver was too dainty (probably from all the jack and cokes he had in college..lol) which ruled him out as a transplant candidate. Shortly after learning this, Kevin received the shattering tests results from his exploratory staging surgery… the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes. This news was catastrophic, as it meant that a liver transplant was permanently off the table. To put it simply, the anti-rejection medication that Kevin would require for the rest of his life to sustain his new liver, would serve as kerosene to the cancer cells now within his blood stream. Even after receiving this terminal diagnosis, Kevin continued to preserve. He and Alexa met with a new oncologist to discuss different and more aggressive options. Kevin decided to go with four rounds (3, eight hour treatments per round) of two very aggressive forms of chemotherapy. After round one, he spent nearly a week in the hospital with low white blood counts. After round two, he could barely get out of bed. However, just as he has done many times before, he powered through round 3. However, Kevin, Alexa, their family and oncologist agreed it was time to stop. With a heavy heart, Kevin’s reality and options are grim. His liver is failing and he has no option for a transplant. His cancer has spread and he can’t endure another round of chemotherapy. Quite frankly, if the liver doesn’t kill him, the cancer will. Life expectancy for someone with Kevin’s prognosis is 2-5 years.
Throughout these many medical hurdles, he continued to be positive, strong and determined. Kevin is one of the strongest people I know. Unfortunately, in recent months, his body has been unforgiving. He went from having a few good days here and there, to only a few good hours per week at best. He has lost all his energy, his appetite has dwindled and is unable to stand more than a few minutes. He sleeps up to 18 hours a day and even when awake, he does not feel well. Not being able to spend quality time with his family and friends has been devastating to him, and all who love him. I have known others who’ve had very serious illnesses who have tried immunotherapy and doctors who highly recommend it for cancer patients and took Kevin to the clinic to have him try it. These treatments have shown to give Kevin more energy and relief from pain that allows him to spend what time he may have left with his family and loved ones. Unfortunately, the expense of these treatments are daunting. I have included the monthly costs below which total over $6,000 PER MONTH and would be almost $75,000 per year. Those of you who know Kevin and Alexa, know that they are always there for their family and friends. They wouldn’t even consider asking for financial support for themselves, so I wanted to share their story and let their friends and family know about their situation. It is very sad they have to enter the reality of this stage of life at such a young age. Now it's time to send back some love and support to this amazing family. They would be humbled for any support that we can offer. Anything that we can do to ensure that Kevin’s constant pain and exhaustion can be alleviated in order to spend the time he has left creating memories with his wife, children, family and friends would be so greatly appreciated. Everything we can do to help surround Kevin with love is most important at this time. Please keep him in your thoughts, prayers and thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.
Out of Pocket Monthly Costs:
Doctor and Prescription Co-Pays: $500
NAD+ Intravenously: $3400
Myers Cocktail (rehydrating IV fluids, vitamins,
electrolytes and antioxidants): $1000
Pain Relievers: $600
Monthly Therapy for 4: $640
My dear friend was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in the spring of 2019 at the age of 42. He has battled many ailments his entire adult life, including ulcerative colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, fibromyalgia, and autonomic dysfunction to name the most inhibiting. He has also had dozens of hospitalizations and more than 40 procedures and invasive surgeries over the past 7 years. He had a proctocolectomy (colon and rectum removal) in 2017 due to advanced ulcerative colitis. Kevin now wears a bag outside of his body to collect stool. Following his proctocolectomy, his primary sclerosing cholangitis (liver disease stemming from his ulcerative colitis) advanced. The bile ducts in his liver were narrowing, causing him to require stents to be placed in his ducts every 8-12 weeks to allow bile to flow until inevitably he would require a new liver. During these stent placements, biopsies were being taken regularly. After his 3rd MRCP to place his stents, malignant cells were found during the biopsy. Kevin and Alexa were faced with the gut wrenching diagnosis of Bile Duct Cancer.
Immediately, they dove right into a well regarded action plan for the diagnosis, radiation and chemotherapy, followed by an exploratory staging surgery to rule out metastasis in hopes to be put on the liver transplant list. They were positive this plan would be the answer to their prayers. During this time, Kevin was also completing the multitude of appointments to prepare for a liver transplant. As a liver transplant can have a living donor, friends, family, and even complete strangers were lined up to donate. Kevin and his family were comforted witnessing the outpouring of love, support and true selflessness from others. Since only one person can be tested at a time, his brother Brian proudly stepped up first, only to find out that his liver was too dainty (probably from all the jack and cokes he had in college..lol) which ruled him out as a transplant candidate. Shortly after learning this, Kevin received the shattering tests results from his exploratory staging surgery… the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes. This news was catastrophic, as it meant that a liver transplant was permanently off the table. To put it simply, the anti-rejection medication that Kevin would require for the rest of his life to sustain his new liver, would serve as kerosene to the cancer cells now within his blood stream. Even after receiving this terminal diagnosis, Kevin continued to preserve. He and Alexa met with a new oncologist to discuss different and more aggressive options. Kevin decided to go with four rounds (3, eight hour treatments per round) of two very aggressive forms of chemotherapy. After round one, he spent nearly a week in the hospital with low white blood counts. After round two, he could barely get out of bed. However, just as he has done many times before, he powered through round 3. However, Kevin, Alexa, their family and oncologist agreed it was time to stop. With a heavy heart, Kevin’s reality and options are grim. His liver is failing and he has no option for a transplant. His cancer has spread and he can’t endure another round of chemotherapy. Quite frankly, if the liver doesn’t kill him, the cancer will. Life expectancy for someone with Kevin’s prognosis is 2-5 years.
Throughout these many medical hurdles, he continued to be positive, strong and determined. Kevin is one of the strongest people I know. Unfortunately, in recent months, his body has been unforgiving. He went from having a few good days here and there, to only a few good hours per week at best. He has lost all his energy, his appetite has dwindled and is unable to stand more than a few minutes. He sleeps up to 18 hours a day and even when awake, he does not feel well. Not being able to spend quality time with his family and friends has been devastating to him, and all who love him. I have known others who’ve had very serious illnesses who have tried immunotherapy and doctors who highly recommend it for cancer patients and took Kevin to the clinic to have him try it. These treatments have shown to give Kevin more energy and relief from pain that allows him to spend what time he may have left with his family and loved ones. Unfortunately, the expense of these treatments are daunting. I have included the monthly costs below which total over $6,000 PER MONTH and would be almost $75,000 per year. Those of you who know Kevin and Alexa, know that they are always there for their family and friends. They wouldn’t even consider asking for financial support for themselves, so I wanted to share their story and let their friends and family know about their situation. It is very sad they have to enter the reality of this stage of life at such a young age. Now it's time to send back some love and support to this amazing family. They would be humbled for any support that we can offer. Anything that we can do to ensure that Kevin’s constant pain and exhaustion can be alleviated in order to spend the time he has left creating memories with his wife, children, family and friends would be so greatly appreciated. Everything we can do to help surround Kevin with love is most important at this time. Please keep him in your thoughts, prayers and thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.
Out of Pocket Monthly Costs:
Doctor and Prescription Co-Pays: $500
NAD+ Intravenously: $3400
Myers Cocktail (rehydrating IV fluids, vitamins,
electrolytes and antioxidants): $1000
Pain Relievers: $600
Monthly Therapy for 4: $640
Organizer and beneficiary
Jim Chahine
Organizer
Village of Clarkston, MI
Alexa Hollweg Stone
Beneficiary
