Before all hell broke loose, our dad was a healthy guy. I can’t remember a single day where my dad was ever sick (unless if you count when he got “sick” doing the dishes). He enjoyed fishing with his sons, friends, and brother-in-law up in Canada once a year, playing catch with his granddaughters, taking care of two crazy smooth fox terriers, and working on his house and yard. He made his living as a realtor; fixing up properties and helping families find their dream home. Finding his own dream home, with room for his children and grandchildren to visit and play, meant moving four times by the time his youngest turned 19. He did end up finding his perfect house in Oak Grove, MN in 2008. It had 2.5 acres, tons of privacy and neighboring horses who enjoyed Jim's carrots.
In the summer of 2010, shortly after his youngest granddaughter was born, James started to have trouble swallowing. Since he had always been healthy, he shrugged it off as a sore throat. After experiencing unexplained weight loss, increased pain, and pressure from his wife and family, James finally sought medical help.
Our dad, James was diagnosed in October 2010 with cancer of the esophagus. After months of radiation and chemotherapy, James underwent a surgery called an Esophagectomy to remove his damaged esophagus and stretch the stomach up to replace the it. During the months of treatment(radiation 4 days a week and chemo for six months) and recovery that followed, James was unable to work. He spent most days with little to no energy, compounded by his inability to eat or drink without extreme pain.
He regained an awesome bill of health in August of 2011, however, he spent the next couple years fighting through a deep depression and survivors guilt due to the deaths of his mother in 2002 and best friend in 2012, both from esophagus cancer. It was a tough time for all of us. James tried very hard to continue his work as a realtor but between the pain in his body and the depression, he couldn’t get back into the swing of things.
On January 27th, 2014, our dad went into the ER for pain in his stomach and side. They found that his appendix was inflamed and part of his small intestine was blocked by a tumor. On January 28th, they did emergency surgery to remove the swollen appendix and the blockage. Upon entering his lower stomach and intestines, the doctors found a tumor that was determined to be stage 4 colon cancer in addition to many other smaller, cancerous tumors throughout his stomach lining. I(Bre, his daughter) remember driving home with my mom after hearing the news. It was a very tearful ride home, no words were spoken. I had to call our family members and break the news over and over again. It was heart breaking.
After staying in the hospital for three days, James was allowed to come home. About four days after coming home, James was rushed back into the ER. The wound on his stomach (as large as a fist) was badly infected. He spent almost two more weeks in the hospital fighting the resulting staph infection for his life. Before leaving the hospital, the doctors placed a vacuum in his wound to help speed up the healing process. Three times a week, a nurse came to his home to change the sponge and bandages. We had to wait an additional three months before he was healed enough to start chemotherapy. We were angry and worried beyond belief. Three months without chemo meant that the cancer had three more months to grow.
In June 2014, James started an intense chemotherapy treatment. Every other week, James was seen by his Oncology doctor for 3 hours of chemotherapy, and was sent home with a 5FU pump. This pumped a chemo, referred to as 5FU, into his body for two days before being disconnected. After each session of chemotherapy, Dad was exhausted. Just getting ready for the day exhausted most of his energy. In August 2014, his 12 sessions of chemo were completed. He spent the next months working on gaining more weight, building up his energy levels, and mourning the loss of his father.
In December 2014, at his three month checkup, they found that cancer was once again growing in his colon. There was a rush to start chemotherapy again. Another 12 sessions of chemo with the 5FU pump for two days. Our dad and mom gave up their dream home and bought a one level townhouse in the next town. They knew it would be a tough ride through this cancer and wanted a place where they wouldn’t have to worry about outside maintenance or stairs to maneuver. The chemo was short lived and shortly after moving just before Christmas 2014, dad began to experience severe pain in his stomach/colon again. The cancer had blocked his colon and he couldn’t passed a bowel movement. He went in for surgery to have a stint placed to open up a channel that would allow for movement. After a failed attempt, Dad was transferred to another hospital to try again.
Two doctors tried to place a stint during his second surgery, but it was to no avail. After going back to Mercy Hospital, James had to make a tough decision. The next morning, James went in for surgery a third time to have a colostomy. This surgery took part of his large intestine out through an opening made in the abdominal wall where a bag was attached. He spent the next couple weeks in the hospital to heal and learn how to live with a colostomy bag. Complications in the surgery were serve and he is still struggling through them. Stints were also placed in his kidneys to help alleviate the pressure on his urethra caused by the growth of more tumors.
We spent our Christmas 2014 opening presents as a family in the hospital room as James healed. Can you imagine, dad in the bed, mom on the chair right next to it? His grandchildren surrounded by presents on the floor and his three children and daughter-in-law sitting on the bed, windowsill and counters. It was pretty funny when the nurses came in to check on him!
In Feb 2015, after recuperating from his surgeries, James started the chemotherapy sessions again. On April 13th 2015, James went in for scans to check on the tumors. On April 15th 2015, he found out that although the tumors have not grown, they also have not shrunk. This cancer, stage 4 colon cancer, is incurable. James will continue to do chemotherapy treatments to maintain the rate of his tumors. His energy levels are very low and he is extremely weak. He isn’t able to shower, change his bag, get dress or brush his teeth without needing to sit down often and taking a nap afterwards. Eating is still difficult for him, as the chemotherapy has taken away his appetite, however, he’s trying hard to maintain a healthy weight in order to continue his chemotherapy. Sometimes, he isn’t able to receive chemo on time because of low blood counts.
These are very worrisome times that mean more trips for fluids, blood work, blood transfusions and doctor appointments. Between the surgeries, chemotherapy, resulting side effects, and complications from his colostomy bag, James has been unable to work for the past four years. He cannot drive due to the medications he is on. As a family, we ensure he makes it to his appointments, even if it means many missed days of work. A round trip may mean 120 miles driven in one day. Our many worries about Dad's health are compounded further by worries of how the bills, co-pays, medicines and transportation costs will be paid. Weekly medical bills and expenses range from $400 to $500.
James is a wonderful brother, husband, father to three children and a grandfather to three beautiful granddaughters. He enjoys spending his free time with his granddaughters, watching The Walking Dead on Sunday nights, yelling "TOUCHDOWN!" during football games, and cuddling with his dog, Chilli.
James and Roxanne, his wife, live about 30 miles from the oncology building where he sees his doctor and receives his treatments. Roxanne works as a special education paraprofessional in the Anoka-Hennepin School District in addition to the extra work she will take this summer to help pay for gas, co-pays, medications, supplies and other expenses. Their sons, daughter and daughter-in-law support them every chance they can.
5% of people with stage 4 colon cancer live for five years. When James passes away, he wants his wife to be able to live comfortably. This account is to help with all the medical expenses that James has and to help our mother after he leaves us. We are all praying for the longest, most comfortable life possible for our dad. Your help will allow for James's wife and children to have the security necessary to spend their time meaningfully as a family for the duration of James's battle.