Jack's Pack vs. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Donation protected
February 24, 2022
“There are moments when troubles enter our lives, and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.” - Paulo Coelho
Jack made an appointment with his primary care doctor for mild stomach pain he had been experiencing since New Year’s Day. The doctor’s appointment was scheduled for March 11th. As his symptoms began to worsen, on February 24th he decided to take a trip to urgent care thinking he had a hernia. Jack was immediately referred to the ER, as the doctor at urgent care couldn’t diagnose anything without further testing. What we thought was going to be a quick trip to the ER began the journey of a lifetime.
Each day over the next week we received little nuggets of information. First was the confirmation that it was cancer. A biopsy was needed before they could tell us if it was Colon Cancer or Lymphoma. Within another few days, it was narrowed down to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Jack was scheduled to see an oncologist on March 3rd to talk over his sub-type and treatment plan. On March 3rd, a week after his initial visit to the ER, we finally had a final diagnosis; Burkitt Lymphoma, a rare but highly aggressive B-cell lymphoma. The oncologist believed he had only been living with the cancer for 1 to 2 months at most, and yet he had a mass larger than the size of a baseball causing almost a full blockage in his colon. Additionally, it had spread extensively throughout his abdominal cavity and to areas in his chest. Being a highly aggressive type of Lymphoma, the oncologist immediately re-admitted Jack to the hospital with treatment to start the following Monday.
March 7, 2022
“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” - Bob Marley
Jack started chemotherapy on Monday, March 7th. The Lymphoma had spread so fast in that week and a half that Jack began declining rapidly. The cancer was pressing on his kidneys and bladder, and he gained 30lbs in fluid overnight as his kidneys struggled to keep up. He was immediately taken into surgery to have kidney stents put in place and began dialysis to help his body overcome Tumor Lysis Syndrome which he was experiencing from the chemotherapy. His lung collapsed from the pressure of the fluid. His body responded to the surgery and dialysis intervention, and he dropped the 30lbs he had gained in fluid. After a brief pause on chemo for his body to recover, Jack bounced back. If we know anything about our Jack, it’s that he is a fighter and that’s exactly what he did to finish out that first round.
Because he is young and otherwise healthy, the regimen of chemo he’s receiving is intense. It is comprised of 8 different chemo drugs and the current plan is 4 rounds, each about 21 days. Of those 21 days, he is in the hospital approximately 15 days receiving chemo and subsequently allowing his body to recover. Once he has recovered, he is sent home for about a week before going back in for the next round.
April 15, 2022
“Anyone can give up; it is the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone would expect you to fall apart, now that is true strength.” - Chris Bradford
As I write this, Jack has now successfully completed the first two rounds of chemo. He had his “mid-point” CT scans this week. While there’s still a long way to go, we are happy to say that it appears that the chemo is doing its job. The cancer in his chest is gone. The baseball size tumor is now half its original size, and the cancer in his abdominal cavity is shrinking. He will continue to fight this fight. He has made amazing progress. Despite the intensity of the chemo and his treatment regimen, Jack is taking it, and fighting it, like the champ that he is. He shows up every day with grace, strength, and a smile on his face. And he has been known to put a smile on the faces of his amazing care givers, too.
These past couple months have been so hard; this has happened so fast. We will never know what caused this disease, nor will we ever understand why this has happened to our sweet Jack. It is fair to say, however, that the pain of these months has been offset by all the thoughts and deeds and good wishes that have come Jack’s way. There is so very much to be thankful for. Being surrounded by so much love, hope, prayer, and kind wishes is its own medicine. It is good medicine and helping Jack fight this noble fight.
We are so thankful for the circle of people who have rallied with us and around us—the ones we know and the ones we don’t—who have expressed their love and support—in a beautiful, comforting, and unselfish way. This journey is so difficult, but we are so lucky to have the most amazing group of people taking this ride along with us.
He is halfway through the chemotherapy regimen, but there will be continued treatment and a long recovery to anticipate. We don’t want finances distracting him from the important work of getting healthy and fully recovering. While Jack does have insurance helping him, there are so many health and personal expenses that aren’t covered.
So, we have created this GoFundMe to support Jack with a goal of easing the financial burden as much as we can. We want Jack to continue his work, focusing on the fight and the recovery. Any money we raise will go towards his medical and care expenses.
We will update this page periodically along the way.
And we will thank you again and again for your love and support. We are forever grateful.
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” - Haruki Murakami
That is true for Jack. And it is likely true for all of us. Thank you.
Jack’s Pack
“There are moments when troubles enter our lives, and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.” - Paulo Coelho
Jack made an appointment with his primary care doctor for mild stomach pain he had been experiencing since New Year’s Day. The doctor’s appointment was scheduled for March 11th. As his symptoms began to worsen, on February 24th he decided to take a trip to urgent care thinking he had a hernia. Jack was immediately referred to the ER, as the doctor at urgent care couldn’t diagnose anything without further testing. What we thought was going to be a quick trip to the ER began the journey of a lifetime.
Each day over the next week we received little nuggets of information. First was the confirmation that it was cancer. A biopsy was needed before they could tell us if it was Colon Cancer or Lymphoma. Within another few days, it was narrowed down to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Jack was scheduled to see an oncologist on March 3rd to talk over his sub-type and treatment plan. On March 3rd, a week after his initial visit to the ER, we finally had a final diagnosis; Burkitt Lymphoma, a rare but highly aggressive B-cell lymphoma. The oncologist believed he had only been living with the cancer for 1 to 2 months at most, and yet he had a mass larger than the size of a baseball causing almost a full blockage in his colon. Additionally, it had spread extensively throughout his abdominal cavity and to areas in his chest. Being a highly aggressive type of Lymphoma, the oncologist immediately re-admitted Jack to the hospital with treatment to start the following Monday.
March 7, 2022
“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” - Bob Marley
Jack started chemotherapy on Monday, March 7th. The Lymphoma had spread so fast in that week and a half that Jack began declining rapidly. The cancer was pressing on his kidneys and bladder, and he gained 30lbs in fluid overnight as his kidneys struggled to keep up. He was immediately taken into surgery to have kidney stents put in place and began dialysis to help his body overcome Tumor Lysis Syndrome which he was experiencing from the chemotherapy. His lung collapsed from the pressure of the fluid. His body responded to the surgery and dialysis intervention, and he dropped the 30lbs he had gained in fluid. After a brief pause on chemo for his body to recover, Jack bounced back. If we know anything about our Jack, it’s that he is a fighter and that’s exactly what he did to finish out that first round.
Because he is young and otherwise healthy, the regimen of chemo he’s receiving is intense. It is comprised of 8 different chemo drugs and the current plan is 4 rounds, each about 21 days. Of those 21 days, he is in the hospital approximately 15 days receiving chemo and subsequently allowing his body to recover. Once he has recovered, he is sent home for about a week before going back in for the next round.
April 15, 2022
“Anyone can give up; it is the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone would expect you to fall apart, now that is true strength.” - Chris Bradford
As I write this, Jack has now successfully completed the first two rounds of chemo. He had his “mid-point” CT scans this week. While there’s still a long way to go, we are happy to say that it appears that the chemo is doing its job. The cancer in his chest is gone. The baseball size tumor is now half its original size, and the cancer in his abdominal cavity is shrinking. He will continue to fight this fight. He has made amazing progress. Despite the intensity of the chemo and his treatment regimen, Jack is taking it, and fighting it, like the champ that he is. He shows up every day with grace, strength, and a smile on his face. And he has been known to put a smile on the faces of his amazing care givers, too.
These past couple months have been so hard; this has happened so fast. We will never know what caused this disease, nor will we ever understand why this has happened to our sweet Jack. It is fair to say, however, that the pain of these months has been offset by all the thoughts and deeds and good wishes that have come Jack’s way. There is so very much to be thankful for. Being surrounded by so much love, hope, prayer, and kind wishes is its own medicine. It is good medicine and helping Jack fight this noble fight.
We are so thankful for the circle of people who have rallied with us and around us—the ones we know and the ones we don’t—who have expressed their love and support—in a beautiful, comforting, and unselfish way. This journey is so difficult, but we are so lucky to have the most amazing group of people taking this ride along with us.
He is halfway through the chemotherapy regimen, but there will be continued treatment and a long recovery to anticipate. We don’t want finances distracting him from the important work of getting healthy and fully recovering. While Jack does have insurance helping him, there are so many health and personal expenses that aren’t covered.
So, we have created this GoFundMe to support Jack with a goal of easing the financial burden as much as we can. We want Jack to continue his work, focusing on the fight and the recovery. Any money we raise will go towards his medical and care expenses.
We will update this page periodically along the way.
And we will thank you again and again for your love and support. We are forever grateful.
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” - Haruki Murakami
That is true for Jack. And it is likely true for all of us. Thank you.
Jack’s Pack
Organizer and beneficiary
Carson Taylor
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Jack Aerni
Beneficiary