Support Bob and his Family Through the Medical Journey

Hello, my name is Leslie Graham. My brother in law, Robert (Bob), has been fighting cancer for a few years now. He is a wonderful husband to my sister, Chelsea, and an incredible father to their daughters, Aubrey (8) and Ella (4). They have built a beautiful life for themselves in Meadow Lake. They have an acreage with 4 horses, 2 dogs, and a cat.

He has a rare type of cancer known as GIST. This stands for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours and is a small tissue cancer that develops in the connective tissue of the digestive tract. He had a large tumour removed in February 2023. He was cancer free until October 2023 when after a scan, he learned that the cancer had returned and had metastasized in his liver. He joined a clinical trial out of Calgary for a medication that helped to shrink the tumours. Through a tough journey of side effects and scans, the medication is no longer working.

This is the most recent update from Bob:

“My last scan in August showed some growth of the tumors - this was expected because the scan before showed a little as well. While the scan overall was enough to consider the treatment no longer working, my doctor still thought it was best to keep me on for another couple of months.

In the mean time I have taken next steps to figure out what I want to do next. I have been very reluctant to go to the next Standard of care. I have 2 medications remaining with limited efficacy and the timeline for those meds aren't very long. I would like to keep that in my back pocket for when no other trials are available or I no longer qualify.

Through research and talking with other people who have been in this position in the past, I have worked with a hospital in the States in Boston and I will be doing my first consult there next month. What trial I will be put on (there are 3 at this centre), is still up in the air.

My next scan is in October and based on the previous scans, it will probably be my last scan in Calgary.

After weighing options both personally, and financially, I made the decision to step away from work. I have been considering this for a bit now, as I would like to spend what time I have healthy being with family and being able to do things around the yard/house. I'm also not going to get a retirement, so this is an early retirement I guess haha.

Its been a tough couple of weeks. I knew the Calgary trial would eventually come to an end, but the reality of it is hard. I still have time, but the clock has moved - thats unfortunately just the reality of the situation.

As I have explained to people in the past - my goal is to stay on trials as long as I can, because the more trials I take part in, the longer I am around, and the more trials that can open up. I'm just trying to push everything down the road.

From a personal standpoint, physically I feel extremely well. I am still able to workout, and probably am in the best fitness I have been in over 5 years lol. (for those in the know, my FTP is approaching my PB from years ago lol) I still hope to do some races next summer. Mentally, obviously things have been tough, but I am hoping getting away from work will help.

I personally don't pray, but for those of you who do, please keep us in your prayers. For those of you like me who don't, please keep us in your thoughts. This isn't the end at all, but unfortunately, its a step closer.

All of our friends and family have been great throughout this process. I'm beyond thankful for my group of friends. We just might need a bit more help moving forward.”

I am making this page to help raise money for him and his family to help them pay for medical expenses during this very difficult time! If you are able to, please help me to support this family!