Steve Munden's Cancer Fight
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Steve is losing his battle with cancer. This has devastated their family emotionally and financially. They need our help now. Please share this gofundme and if possible, help us make sure his final wishes are taken care of. They helped our family during my Father's fight with this very cancer so now it our turn to help them! My Father said he did not want to die for nothing, so this is our way to help another family that is now in the same horrible position, I have attached the short version Steve and Kelley's story below.
Steve and I have always been best friends and always will be. We have a thirty five year history .Our story began long before Steve was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a very aggressive cancer, in March 2012. A few months prior, he kept telling me about this canker sore under his tongue, but we didn't think much else of it until it wouldn't go away. I finally looked and half of his tongue was completely raw like hamburger surrounded by a white circle. Then one day at work he said half of the bottom of his tongue had fallen out and they were hardly able to get it to stop bleeding. We were at his primary doctor the next day, and the ENT in Springfield the following day. The ENT immediately knew Steve had Squamous Cell Carcinoma. In April 2012, Steve had a 2/3 tongue removal and neck dissection in May. With therapy he learned how to use his tongue enough to swallow and speak. Our goal was to live as "normal" of a life as possible for as long as possible. The cancer was coming back more frequently and rapidly than they had first thought. The Oncologist found he cancer starting to go down the side of his tongue at the opening of his throat. In August 2015, Steve had his radical neck dissection and more tongue removal, with a flap made from grafted skin. He was hospitalized for a month recovering as well as battling from other health issues, including kidney failure. Then we began Steve's chemotherapy and radiation journey. He had to have the highest Radiation they would allow. All the while scans continued to monitor the cancers progress. A suspicious tumor was revealed in his jawbone and ribcage. Before definitive results were obtained, Steve had a major hemorrhage caused by an eroded artery. We thought then that we had lost our battle, but by the grace of God, they were able to stabilize him in Branson then transfer him to Springfield, where he is now. The next step will be removal of his jawbone and part of his flap ( fake tongue ). This will be no easy feat, but we have put 4 long hard years into this fight and we will put 45 more if we have to. Steve does not give up! We will stand toe to toe with this. He is a father, grandfather, tattoo artist, motorcycle enthusiast , jack of all trades, master of many . He has always been everyones go to guy for a variety of problems, and is always the first one to step up and do what needs to be done . We would greatly appreciate all prayers and well wishes.
Please share this site with everyone you know. We need to get the word out and help this family. They are so deserving. Every dollar helps. If you can not help financially, well wishes and prayers are greatly appreciated!
Ashley
A friend of the family
Steve and I have always been best friends and always will be. We have a thirty five year history .Our story began long before Steve was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a very aggressive cancer, in March 2012. A few months prior, he kept telling me about this canker sore under his tongue, but we didn't think much else of it until it wouldn't go away. I finally looked and half of his tongue was completely raw like hamburger surrounded by a white circle. Then one day at work he said half of the bottom of his tongue had fallen out and they were hardly able to get it to stop bleeding. We were at his primary doctor the next day, and the ENT in Springfield the following day. The ENT immediately knew Steve had Squamous Cell Carcinoma. In April 2012, Steve had a 2/3 tongue removal and neck dissection in May. With therapy he learned how to use his tongue enough to swallow and speak. Our goal was to live as "normal" of a life as possible for as long as possible. The cancer was coming back more frequently and rapidly than they had first thought. The Oncologist found he cancer starting to go down the side of his tongue at the opening of his throat. In August 2015, Steve had his radical neck dissection and more tongue removal, with a flap made from grafted skin. He was hospitalized for a month recovering as well as battling from other health issues, including kidney failure. Then we began Steve's chemotherapy and radiation journey. He had to have the highest Radiation they would allow. All the while scans continued to monitor the cancers progress. A suspicious tumor was revealed in his jawbone and ribcage. Before definitive results were obtained, Steve had a major hemorrhage caused by an eroded artery. We thought then that we had lost our battle, but by the grace of God, they were able to stabilize him in Branson then transfer him to Springfield, where he is now. The next step will be removal of his jawbone and part of his flap ( fake tongue ). This will be no easy feat, but we have put 4 long hard years into this fight and we will put 45 more if we have to. Steve does not give up! We will stand toe to toe with this. He is a father, grandfather, tattoo artist, motorcycle enthusiast , jack of all trades, master of many . He has always been everyones go to guy for a variety of problems, and is always the first one to step up and do what needs to be done . We would greatly appreciate all prayers and well wishes.
Please share this site with everyone you know. We need to get the word out and help this family. They are so deserving. Every dollar helps. If you can not help financially, well wishes and prayers are greatly appreciated!
Ashley
A friend of the family
Organizer
Kelley LaClair
Organizer
Forsyth, MO