Rick's medical, travel, lodging, food and medical equipment

On March 18, Rick went into his doctor due to having a hard time swallowing. Initially, he was treated for GERD, until his doctor set him up for an esophagram. Results of the esophagram showed a mass at the distal part of the esophagus. He then went for more testing (Upper GI, PET, endoscopy and a CT). Results showed Rick had esophageal cancer with nearby nodes also affected. After contact with doctors at Mayo Health in Lacrosse, WI, Rick was referred to Mayo Health in Rochester, MN.

After meeting with a surgeon in Rochester, it was decided that the best route for Oncology, Radiation and Surgery care would be in Rochester, MN. Rick has been through 2 rounds of colon cancer, with the final of that being removal of the entire colon. This made it tougher for the "team" to put together a "Rick plan", but they did.

For Rick's esophageal cancer, they will give him 5 weeks of high dose proton radiation daily (25 days), with chemotherapy for 5 weeks- once a week. After his chemo and radiation, they will then do an esophagectomy with a gastric pull up (bypass). Which that will be removing part of the esophagus, the upper part of the stomach, pulling the stomach up to attach to the remaining esophagus. Per the surgeon, this will put him in the hospital for 2 - 3 weeks for healing and observation. He will have a j-tube put into his small intestine for nutrition and for healing for about 2 months after the hospital stay. An incline bed and wedges will be necessary when he gets home, to avoid aspirating or getting pneumonia.

We so appreciate your generous contribution, which will be utilized for medical and travel expenses, lodging, food, and medical equipment. Thank you for your kindness, prayers, support and love.