Stand by John: Battling Melanoma

Friends, family, and anyone who's ever been trapped in a hospital gown that gapes open in the back: Our amazing friend, John Chaisson, has been battling metastatic melanoma for more than five years. He has heroically and quietly beaten it twice. Yet, this past fall, he was told the cancer was back…and in both lungs. In mid-December, new impacts from the cancer (pleural effusion and AFib) necessitated a detour to the ER...the beginning of 88 very unexpected - and difficult - days in the hospital. Yes, you read that right. Almost three months of hospital food, surgeries, beeping machines, and nurses who somehow manage to draw blood with the lights off.

We are thrilled to share that John came home March 16th. He completed a second round of (new) immunotherapy just last week and has two more rounds to go before next steps are determined. During these coming weeks, John will rely heavily upon private home-health nurses to augment the support of family/friends as he regains his strength.

John is an absolute warrior. A champion. An enemy to all the tasty fish of the sea. He rivals his bulldog, Brisket, in sheer stubborn will. But even the fiercest of warriors need a support system. Many of you have already poured into him through visits, ongoing texts/calls and prayers. We know how incredibly grateful he is for all of this.

You have been - and will continue to be - his strength.

Many of you have also asked how else you can support him. It isn’t clear how soon John may be able to return to his work as a mortgage broker. While he has been busy fighting the good fight in the hospital, healthcare related bills plus ongoing life expenses have been adding up.

We’ve started this GFM with the goal to allay some of this financial burden. Any donation will make an enormous difference in providing him with a little peace during this fight and recovery time.

Imagine the glorious day he can finally trade that gown for good, don real clothes, and enjoy a few meals that don’t come in a plastic container. Also, imagine the miraculous day where he will ring that bell and declare to us all that he is cancer-free.

Thank you all for your support.

Thank you for showing some love to our dear friend, John.