Craig Kellogg's "Superman" Fan Club

 "Giving up is not an option, losing our faith will never,  ever  happen."


This is the story of Craig Kellogg, our "Superman," his family and our personal battle against melanoma.





Craig's battle against melanoma began in October of 2014 with a simple trip to the optometrist's office when he noticed a loss of peripheral vision in his right eye. They found nothing in the search for a cause so his optometrist referred him to an ophthalmologist.  After extensive testing, he sent a request for Craig to have a CT scan. The CT scan revealed  what appeared to be one tumor on his brain close to the optic nerve.  
After this discovery the doctors' recommended plan of action was the Cyberknife procedure. November 2014, he underwent this robotic radiosurgery procedure to treat the tumor in his head.

Also, in November,  doctors performed a PET scan which revealed multiple tumors. One on the left side of his head, one on the left side of his neck on his thyroid, two in his abdominal area, and one under his left arm in his lymph nodes.


After the successful Cyberknife procedure to treat the spot on his head, the affected regions on his thyroid and under his arm were removed surgically.  December 2014  was followed by thyroid surgery to remove the rest of the affected thyroid. He will be on thyroid medication for the rest of his life.

In May of 2015 he was taken to Wellstar Douglas Hospital due to severe dehydration caused by his chemotherapy. He remained in ICU for three days and in the hospital for a total of five days. Fortunately, he got out of the hospital just in time for our daughter Deanna's high school graduation (about a week before) and was able to recover enough to attend the ceremony. 


Proud Poppa Moment!!!!

 


Craig was also struggling to be well enough to see his beautiful daughter Deanna and her wonderful boyfriend Blake attend their Senior Prom together. What amazing milestones we have all shared during his time of struggle and the undeniable strength and courage of  our "Superman"  Craig.



Prom 2015

Deanna and Blake 









Deanna plans on pursuing a career in cosmetology.


We also have an amazing son, Cody, who is currently a
full time student and is planning on graduating with a B.S. in Physics from Georgia State University next Spring. In the future he hopes to find a career in the fields of Engineering or Software Development.  Cody, also enjoys playing several different  guitars and a love of photography.  His amateur photography is truly exceptional. He has a very good mature attitude and always tries to keep a positive outlook on life, no matter what curveballs of adversity come his way.


Cody and his wonderful girlfriend Danielle



An amazing view from the heavens...great photo!



 Craig was recently hospitalized once again from July 10th to July 16th for dehydration after his fourth and final round of chemotherapy. 

After his two extended stays in the hospital for rehydration, his muscles have become extremely weak. He needs physical therapy to help regain his strength so he can once again have independence and improve his quality of life. Soon he will begin a new and innovative chemotherapy drug to attack the new growths in his body.

I would like to thank North Georgia Oncology Centers P.C. for all their wonderful care as well as the nurses and others who have continued to care for and encourage Craig.

I would also like to thank Dr. Navin P. Wadehra, for being a very knowledgeable, thorough doctor and for his straight forward approach to fighting my disease.

The  financial challenges for us all, have been nearly insurmountable since his diagnosis. While we are so grateful to have health insurance, the out of pocket medical expenses by far exceed what we are ever capable of paying, especially since our household income has been reduced by nearly 50%.  Craig and I have not been able to work since this illness has taken such a toll on him and I am his primary caregiver.

Craig, has been employed the last 4 1/2 years at Texas 
Roadhouse. He has been a managing  partner for the last
3 years of the Douglasville, Ga. location. He has been on 
short term disability since February 29th, he truly misses his store and his employees. This time away from his job is critical in his fight and recovery from this cancer. God willing, he can't wait to go back to the job
he loves.

Craig is a strong willed, hard working man who never asks for help, but always seems to give it. He has always had such pride in being able to provide for his family throughout our many years together.

We take our struggles day by day and try not to let them affect us as much as humanly possible.  We try to keep things as normal as we can while making sure that Craig gets all the care and loving support he needs.

Craig is driven by our family's devotion, faith and the love that we all share. He continues to battle with such strength, courage and undeniable faith which drives him to keep fighting for our future.

"Giving up is not an option, losing our faith will never, ever happen."


So this is our story, our battle, our mission to continue fighting for Craig's  life and for my family.  I ask that you all continue to send us your prayers and thoughts in this difficult time in our lives. We need all the help and prayers that we can get to help support Craig's battle with this illness. 

Any financial contributions are greatly appreciated. These contributions will help us to continue paying household bills, daily expenses, food/necessity costs and out of pocket medical expenses.



Thank you for taking the time to read our family's story. 
God bless you all.

Micheale, Craig, Cody and Deanna Kellogg