Support for Jeff Fontaine & Family

Since 2012, the Jeff and Claire Fontaine family has experienced substantial medical expenses fighting Jeff’s cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and trips to the Mayo Clinic. For six years, they have struggled to pay these costs and deal with the stress and emotional drain of his treatment, while also raising a young family.

As Jeff continues chemotherapy, please consider supporting them during this tough time.

Jeff and Claire’s fight against cancer began in November of 2012, when Jeff started having symptoms that included tingling in his left arm and hand, pressure/headaches, fatigue, and lightheadedness. After experiencing several blackouts, he made an appointment with his primary doctor who scheduled an EKG and MRI. These tests showed there was seizure activity and a mass in his brain. The Fontaine’s were promptly sent to Mayo for further tests. At Mayo, Claire and Jeff met with a neurologist and surgeon who diagnosed Jeff with grade 3 oligodendroglioma cancer. He underwent brain surgery to remove 90% of the tumor (which was the size of a large orange) and later completed two weeks of aggressive radiation and 42 days of chemotherapy.

 

Upon completion of this aggressive treatment, Jeff’s MRI showed that the tumor was no longer visible, so his treatment plan was changed to focus on monitoring with regular doctors’ appointments and MRIs, and after a year of clear MRIs, Jeff moved to an extended monitoring plan.

 

Jeff’s remission lasted until November 2016, when he began having symptoms again. At this time, they found two small pea-sized spots. Jeff completed 12 rounds of chemo and MRIs every three months. Thankfully, the spots cleared. 

 

In October 2017, a small spot was growing in a new area, so doctors continued to monitor with monthly MRIs. In November, they found that the tumor had grown to half the size of a golf ball, and Jeff was sent to the Mayo Clinic for a consultation. Claire and Jeff were onsite at Mayo on December 7th, where another MRI was done and the results showed that the tumor had nearly doubled since the prior month. Jeff’s medical team determined a plan of action that included chemotherapy, as they felt that radiation, a biopsy, or surgery could potentially cause additional damage, such as paralysis. Jeff immediately began four rounds of chemotherapy.

In January 2018, Jeff’s MRI showed that the tumor was not responding to treatment, and was continuing to grow. Jeff is beginning a new chemotherapy drug immediately, which will be followed by another MRI. Because of the tumor’s growth, Jeff is now suffering from vision problems and weakness on his left side.

Please give your support to the Fontaine’s, as this brave family continues to fight Jeff’s cancer. Donations and prayers are greatly appreciated.