Support Gary Kinlaw's Battle Against Cancer

Hello I’m Gary Kinlaw and my cancer journey began in Dec 2021 when I found out that I had Clear Renel Cell carcinoma in both kidneys. My wonderful skilled urologist oncologist at Loyola medical center Dr. Quek saved my life. It was a very difficult and long surgery (11) hours and I was in ICU for about a week and lost my left kidney and my team of oncologists couldn’t address the cancer in my right kidney until a later date. I then started chemo and immunotherapy treatments for almost a year to help shrink the tumor to save as much of the right kidney as possible in which in March of 2023 I had my second surgery to remove the tumor and the team saved my right kidney but only 1/2 of it. I was cancer free (remission) until Sept of 2024 when I found out that it spread to my spine (L-2) vertebra in which they found a Lytic lesion eating away more than half of it in which the oncologist spinal surgeon at Loyola Medical Center secured the vertebra with a fusion but couldn’t remove all the cancer (lesion) so I began radiation treatments (5) just a few weeks after the spinal fusion was done on Oct 13th I began the radiation on Oct 31st . The side affects (nausea) lasted about 4 weeks (a short stay again at Loyola ) for I received fluids and care on Nov 19th dropped even more weight (75 pounds in all) . Then on Dec 9th is when I received the sad news of my diagnosis that without further chemo and immunotherapy treatments my life expectancy was less than a year. For my love of my wife and kids and the rest of my family and friends I elected to receive those treatments which I started and will continue them until I die or until my body allows them .. . I’m hoping that it will allow me some additional time with them. Dr.Clark my primary oncologist suggested to get all my affairs in place, which even tho I’ve been preparing myself to hear those devastating words in reality it still is a shock . The financial strain that Cancer brings on is so deflating with the costs of Out of pocket maximum that my insurance plan has to the day to day expenses plus the overall cost of the chemo and other treatments is overwhelming. To make matters worse was my wife’s employer terminated her employment due to the fact that she was taking to much time off to be my caregiver which I thank her deeply . My loved ones have helped greatly and they are a god send and my gratitude is endless but I can’t afford my final expenses of my end of life arrangements. I’m reaching out to those who understand what I’m experiencing and can help me finalize what I need so my family and loved ones aren’t burdened with it, thank you for allowing me to tell my story of my Cancer Journey ..