Roberts Glioblastoma Treatment
Donation protected
****UPDATE!!!!!! They were able to get Roberts chemo lowered enough to where we could pay in full!!! But after talking to the pharmacy and dr’s up at UW, they said we will continue to receive monthly bills and there will be further medical expenses. I just wanted there be full disclosure and keep everyone updated, as you all deserve that at minimum! Our entire family is blown away by your generosity and amazing hearts! Robert truly has an army standing behind him and there will never be enough words or actions to thank you all!!!!!!
In February of 2016 Robert was diagnosed with Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma brain cancer. He underwent surgery almost immediately at UW of Madison and did radiation 5 days a week for 5 weeks. He then had an MRI and the outcome was great! It looked like the radiation and surgery had taken care of as much of the cancer as it could. We were told that the cancer would never be completely gone, as they had explained it like putting jello into a cup of oil and then taking the jello out with tweezers. We would get a bulk of the jello, but would always be leaving particles behind. So to keep a close eye on it, Robert had MRI’s every 12 weeks. Then in March of 2018 he had an MRI the showed tumor progression once again. So he underwent surgery at UW for a second time. They were able to get the tumor out and there was no treatment done. However after his second surgery, the lining around his brain didn’t fully heal. So he was leaking spinal fluid and had to undergo a third surgery to have a shunt put in. At which point, Robert was told he couldn’t work anymore and would have to be put on Medicare insurance. They then decided he should do MRI’s every 8 weeks instead of 12. Which leads us to today.....early February after an MRI, we learned there was tumor progression, again. So Robert underwent a 4th surgery at UW on February 17th. They were able to remove 100% of the tumor but the pathology results had determined his cancer had progressed to Grade 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer. This was devastating news! We have met with a great team of oncologists at UW who are dedicated to treat Robert and give him some quality time! He will under go another 5 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. But this time they had added chemo to the treatment plan and unfortunately his insurance won’t cover it. We have made every phone call we can trying to get even some of it covered, but there’s no help. Glioblastoma is a very very aggressive cancer and not treating it or pushing off his treatment is not an option. As his surgery was just a short 4 weeks ago and we have learned that there is already tumor regrowth. Robert is such a happy, positive and amazing person...who deserves the world. We are graciously asking for any donations possible to help with the cost of treatment. It’ll be $10,000 for the first 27 doses of chemo. Which will be taken (orally) the same days as radiation. His oncologist would like to see him take it for an additional 6 months after his radiation as well, if possible. We are helping him as much as we can but we can’t do it alone! So please please consider giving my brother a fighting chance at life! But if a monetary donation isn’t possible at this moment, prayer warriors are also being called!
thank you all!!!
In February of 2016 Robert was diagnosed with Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma brain cancer. He underwent surgery almost immediately at UW of Madison and did radiation 5 days a week for 5 weeks. He then had an MRI and the outcome was great! It looked like the radiation and surgery had taken care of as much of the cancer as it could. We were told that the cancer would never be completely gone, as they had explained it like putting jello into a cup of oil and then taking the jello out with tweezers. We would get a bulk of the jello, but would always be leaving particles behind. So to keep a close eye on it, Robert had MRI’s every 12 weeks. Then in March of 2018 he had an MRI the showed tumor progression once again. So he underwent surgery at UW for a second time. They were able to get the tumor out and there was no treatment done. However after his second surgery, the lining around his brain didn’t fully heal. So he was leaking spinal fluid and had to undergo a third surgery to have a shunt put in. At which point, Robert was told he couldn’t work anymore and would have to be put on Medicare insurance. They then decided he should do MRI’s every 8 weeks instead of 12. Which leads us to today.....early February after an MRI, we learned there was tumor progression, again. So Robert underwent a 4th surgery at UW on February 17th. They were able to remove 100% of the tumor but the pathology results had determined his cancer had progressed to Grade 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer. This was devastating news! We have met with a great team of oncologists at UW who are dedicated to treat Robert and give him some quality time! He will under go another 5 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. But this time they had added chemo to the treatment plan and unfortunately his insurance won’t cover it. We have made every phone call we can trying to get even some of it covered, but there’s no help. Glioblastoma is a very very aggressive cancer and not treating it or pushing off his treatment is not an option. As his surgery was just a short 4 weeks ago and we have learned that there is already tumor regrowth. Robert is such a happy, positive and amazing person...who deserves the world. We are graciously asking for any donations possible to help with the cost of treatment. It’ll be $10,000 for the first 27 doses of chemo. Which will be taken (orally) the same days as radiation. His oncologist would like to see him take it for an additional 6 months after his radiation as well, if possible. We are helping him as much as we can but we can’t do it alone! So please please consider giving my brother a fighting chance at life! But if a monetary donation isn’t possible at this moment, prayer warriors are also being called!
thank you all!!!
Organizer
Samantha Hippman
Organizer
Rockton, IL