Chad Kurkowski’s Cancer Battle

Hello, my name is Jenna, I am raising money for my brother Chad Kurkowski. His battle began on July 16, 2021 when in the early hours of morning he awoke to discover that his legs wouldn’t move. He was taken to Avera Hospital in Aberdeen, where doctors were shocked at what they discovered. They immediately put him on a flight to the Avera Spinal Institute in Sioux Falls. Upon arrival there he underwent many tests and scans to determine what was wrong and how to proceed. Within the day medication had reduced the swelling and enabled his legs to move again. The initial cause of his paralysis was a tumor in his left lung. It grew its way all the way back to his spine and had deteriorated a large portion of vertebrae T3 and T4, compressing his spinal cord severely. A biopsy of the tumor was collected and sent off for analysis. Days of waiting were agonizing then finally came an answer. The results of the biopsy was back- stage 4 small cell cancer. That same day doctors ordered 5 radiation treatments, as this form of cancer is fast growing and requires quick action. Finally after a week in Sioux Falls, Chad was cleared to come home.

In the following days a new routine began- anyone who knows Chad knows that he is a busy guy, his days of working on anything and everything 7 days a week were no longer an option. Chads mobility and strength are greatly compromised due to the location and destruction that the tumor caused. Which was quickly affirmed by a tiny scratch on his elbow developing MRSA. This required a hospital stay and very strong IV antibiotics. His new routine consisted of multiple days a week of appointments at Avera Cancer Institute in Aberdeen. After many tests and scans the Oncologist decided that Chad would start chemotherapy 3 days a week for several hours a day. The type of chemotherapy he would receive is the strongest form available.

Mid way through this 6 cycles of treatment Chad was amazing doctors at his strength and positive attitude. And then another bump in the road for Chad. Unusually tired and short of breath doctors decided to do a chest X-ray. They found blood clots in his lung and leg. 3 more days in the hospital, Heparin treatments and a filter placed in an artery to catch particles of the clots Chad got to go home again.

After a little time to recuperate, back to the grueling chemotherapy schedule. And then meeting with the Radiologist to decided if it was time to adding Radiation treatment again. It was a go- Finally the final step in treatment! Just before Thanksgiving Chad started radiation 5 days a week. And then another hiccup- COVID. Pause all treatments for 2 weeks and get the infusion for COVID.

Finally the week before Christmas Chad received his last 3 days of Chemotherapy and radiation. What a way to end the year!

Now starting in 2022 a whole new set of CT scans, MRI, bone density scan and EKG to determine what progress was made and the next course of action.

Chad is a man unafraid of anything out in front of him. He can literally fix anything. He is a jack of all trades and master of many! His world has been turned up-side- down. He is so strong and has amazed everyone, the doctors included, with his will power and strength to beat this cancer. But his battle is not over- is will go on forever. He will require treatment for the rest of his life. And it is unknown if he will ever regain full use of his lower extremities and be able to return to his normal life.

Please consider making a donation to help Chad ease the financial burden and show him how many people love, care, and support him. Your donation will help in so many ways. Chad can no longer work, and as he was self employed he does not qualify for disability or many other assistant programs.

We sincerely appreciate any and all your help. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

In January, a new lesion was discovered on Chad’s left hip/ pelvis area. The oncologist decided with this development and the specific type of cancer Chad has, to do more radiation. This time focusing on the pelvis and as a precautionary measure the brain, as studies show small cell lung cancer tends to metastasis to the brain. Another 2 weeks of daily treatment is what was ordered and completed. As always Chad held his head high and kept a positive attitude as he endured yet another challenge. With that complete all he had to do was wait until the next scans were due to see if treatment worked.  

In March, a full round of tests and scans were completed. We got the news that the original tumor is down more than 30%, the lesion on the pelvis is gone. The blood clots are nearly all gone.

Chad continues to do immunotherapy every other week in Aberdeen for what will probably be the next two years. He also does physical therapy 2-3 days a week to regain the strength and mobility.