Skinner Strong - Keith's Cancer Journey
Donation protected
Keith's journey began in February 2019. He started having these strange hiccuping episodes while eating, which would hinder eating. It would eventually pass and he would be able to finish eating. Until one day it didn't pass and he was unable to eat for a few days. It was at that point that he went to the doctor. He said maybe he should finally get something figured out, it's strange for a fat kid like himself to go without food for that long! HaHaHa!
His first appointment was March 15th, 2019. Our family doctor did labs and a CT scan. The CT scan showed a thickening of the Esophagus at the junction of the stomach. At that point they were thinking possibly Acid Reflux or Barrett's Disease. They sent him home with a few medications and we would set up further appointments. We had to wait a couple of weeks for his next appointments. In the mean time, he had another episode of not eating for a couple of days. We tried to get him in sooner, but had no luck. His next appointments were at the beginning of April for more scans, tests and biopsies to better help determine what the problem was. The results of those biopsies unfortunately confirmed Esophageal Cancer.
Over the next few weeks things seem to move rather quickly with multiple trips to appointments at various doctors for more scans and tests to help form a treatment plan. During this time he also had to have a port put in for Chemo, and a feeding tube. They strongly recommended the feeding tube just in case he was unable to eat during Chemo/Radiation, since his esophagus was already very narrowed by the size of the tumor.
June and July were spent traveling 170 miles a day (round trip) for Chemo and Radiation. BTW... if you didn't know, we live in BFE! HaHa!
When he was finished with his treatments, he got a short break before the next phase in the treatment plan.
The next step was to prepare for surgery. He was to have an Esophagectomy and stomach resection. In which they would remove his esophagus and top of stomach, then use remaining portion of the stomach to reconnect in place of the esophagus. He had surgery on Aug. 30th and then spent a week in the hospital. He was able to come home for almost a week, but unfortunately ended up back in the hospital for a few days.
Since coming home, Keith has been on a limited diet and tube feeding in the overnight hours to help supplement calories. He has lost approximately 35 pounds since March. He becomes fatigue easily and tries to take a couple short walks a day to help rebuild strength. He has good days and not so good days, but has tried to keep a positive attitude though it all.
So with all that being said, that brings me to our request for help due to his major surgery, recovery being a slow process, and the long road ahead of him. Needless to say, it has been a very long 7 months for Keith and our family. We traveled over 12,000 miles since April. We have medical bills, vehicle maintenance, and other miscellaneous expenses. For any of you who know us, know that this is difficult for us to ask for help. We are very grateful for those who have already helped us in any way!! We are very thankful for the family and friends that have been there for us through all of this. So however much or however little, even if it's just a prayer or two.... whatever you can do to help out is greatly appreciated!!!
God Bless!
Love,
Keith, Tammy and Ally
Last Day of Radiation!! Those Nurses were awesome!
All ready for surgery.
The incision on his neck after surgery, along with 5 smaller incisions in his abdomen.
This gives you an idea of the surgery that he had done. Except his tumor was in the lower esophagus at the junction of the stomach. (Picture from Mayoclinic.org)
His first appointment was March 15th, 2019. Our family doctor did labs and a CT scan. The CT scan showed a thickening of the Esophagus at the junction of the stomach. At that point they were thinking possibly Acid Reflux or Barrett's Disease. They sent him home with a few medications and we would set up further appointments. We had to wait a couple of weeks for his next appointments. In the mean time, he had another episode of not eating for a couple of days. We tried to get him in sooner, but had no luck. His next appointments were at the beginning of April for more scans, tests and biopsies to better help determine what the problem was. The results of those biopsies unfortunately confirmed Esophageal Cancer.
Over the next few weeks things seem to move rather quickly with multiple trips to appointments at various doctors for more scans and tests to help form a treatment plan. During this time he also had to have a port put in for Chemo, and a feeding tube. They strongly recommended the feeding tube just in case he was unable to eat during Chemo/Radiation, since his esophagus was already very narrowed by the size of the tumor.
June and July were spent traveling 170 miles a day (round trip) for Chemo and Radiation. BTW... if you didn't know, we live in BFE! HaHa!
When he was finished with his treatments, he got a short break before the next phase in the treatment plan.
The next step was to prepare for surgery. He was to have an Esophagectomy and stomach resection. In which they would remove his esophagus and top of stomach, then use remaining portion of the stomach to reconnect in place of the esophagus. He had surgery on Aug. 30th and then spent a week in the hospital. He was able to come home for almost a week, but unfortunately ended up back in the hospital for a few days.
Since coming home, Keith has been on a limited diet and tube feeding in the overnight hours to help supplement calories. He has lost approximately 35 pounds since March. He becomes fatigue easily and tries to take a couple short walks a day to help rebuild strength. He has good days and not so good days, but has tried to keep a positive attitude though it all.
So with all that being said, that brings me to our request for help due to his major surgery, recovery being a slow process, and the long road ahead of him. Needless to say, it has been a very long 7 months for Keith and our family. We traveled over 12,000 miles since April. We have medical bills, vehicle maintenance, and other miscellaneous expenses. For any of you who know us, know that this is difficult for us to ask for help. We are very grateful for those who have already helped us in any way!! We are very thankful for the family and friends that have been there for us through all of this. So however much or however little, even if it's just a prayer or two.... whatever you can do to help out is greatly appreciated!!!
God Bless!
Love,
Keith, Tammy and Ally
Last Day of Radiation!! Those Nurses were awesome!
All ready for surgery.
The incision on his neck after surgery, along with 5 smaller incisions in his abdomen.
This gives you an idea of the surgery that he had done. Except his tumor was in the lower esophagus at the junction of the stomach. (Picture from Mayoclinic.org)
Organizer
Tammy Keith Skinner
Organizer
Wessington, SD