Support Ben Cleary's Battle Against Stage 4 Brain Cancer

My name is Renee (Freeman)Cleary. My husband, Ben was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer in July 2022. He completed multiple rounds of chemotherapy and ultimately surgery to remove his bladder, placing him with an urostomy bag for the rest of his life. He was doing great and cancer free until he had a seizure July 10th which changed our lives. What we thought was a stroke turned out to be brain metastasis of his cancer. They found 7 tumors on his brain with severe swelling which caused the seizure. He completed Cyberknife radiation therapy for the tumors at U of L Brown Cancer Center. He is participating in testing/procedures that are experimental and not covered by our insurance! One test alone, we were told is $16,000.!!!

Due to the seizure, he cannot drive. He is an Electrical Inspector with the City and drives all day, so he can’t work. Unfortunately, he may not be able to return to work. In the meantime, the medical bills are pouring in on top of the ones we already were paying on for the previous chemotherapies and surgeries. Ben has follow up MRI’s in November! We will not know until then if the radiation treatments worked! Our health insurance just started over on July 1st, so all deductibles have to be met again!! I am on disability, due to 7 spine surgeries. I do get a small disability check each month. We are drowning in medical debt and this added stress is not helping me in my caretaker role. I just lost my Mom in July after caring for her for 7 years. Any donations will go towards Ben’s medical expenses as well as day to day expenses to help us get by like, mortgage, LG&E, etc. We are so thankful for all friends & family. Please pray for us!

We BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYERS!

Update! November scan showed 1 new tumor. Had another Cyberknife radiation treatment. December 2024, Ben noticed symptoms. He was trouble walking with his left leg and his left hand was not functioning properly. We already had an appointment with the oncologist for treatment and they scheduled STAT MRI. The next day we called and scheduled with radiation oncology again! There. are two new tumors and the other six previous ones that have been radiated now we’re all growing. We met with the neurosurgeon, who told us if he removed the biggest tumor that he would be paralyzed on the left side and in a wheelchair right after surgery and Ben declined. So right after Christmas,he is starting full brain radiation. The cancer is stage 4 and we are devastated. They’re not really expecting good outcome with the radiation treatments because those other parts of his brain that have already been treated! Also, 1/3 of his brain is already swollen so he will probably end up paralyzed anyway- Just at a slower, rate. With the radiation treatments there are a lot of side effects the main one being seizures- so they upped his seizure medicine and he is taking steroids to try to help get the swelling out of his brain . Please pray …

We believe in the power of prayer!!