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Help Tanner Birdwell beat cancer

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I would like take this opportunity to tell you about Tanner Birdwell's story. Tanner is a 19 year old hardworking, very respectfull graduate from Castle Rock High school. Tanner is the youngest of three children. He's passionate about life, friends and family . He has one of the biggest hearts I know. Tanner is now facing his  hardest journey yet.   

Starting in September 2017. Tanner was having swelling on the right side of his neck. He saw his local doctor who gave him antibiotics for infection of the lymph nodes. In October Tanner was still having the same issue but with intense head aches and pain. The doctor changed antibiotics in hopes that it would take care of the problem. November Tanner still wasn't showing any signs of improvement. With the continued pain there was a lump that became present on the right side of his neck. Tanner had an ultra sound done and a prescribed referral to see the Nose ,Throat and Ear specialist on December 9th . Tanner was unable to make his appointment and had to reschedule. The earliest they could  rescheduled the appointment was January 9th. 

 December 31, 2017 on New Years Eve Tanner was taken to Centralia hospital for severe vomiting, persistent nose bleed and on going neck and head pain. The hospital ran tests and diagnosed him at the time with Lymphocytosis. This is when your white blood cell count is much higher then normal due to your body fighting infection or disease. The doctor on staff that evening  prescribed him something for the pain, a stronger antibiotic, follow up with his normal doctor and see the specialist on the 9th. On  New years day (24 hours later) Tanner was back to severe vomiting, on-going nose bleeds, and a even higher pain in his head and neck. Tanners parents Vicky and Dale made the firm decision to take Tanner to a Vancouver hospital in hopes to get a quicker diagnosis of the problem. The Doctor on staff that night was very helpful. Tanner was immediately scheduled to see the Ear, Nose and throat specialist as soon as the Doctor saw his medical history and blood test.
 
  January 2nd Tanner saw Dr. Anderson. This is the specialist who preformed a Nasal Endoscopy using a flexible tube with a camera to see inside Tanner's nasopharynx . Dr, Anderson found a  massive growth and ordered a biopsy to be done. The biopsy confirmed Tanner has Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (a very rare cancer). A few weeks later Tanner had a MRI and PET/scan. It is confirmed, Tanner has stage 4 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.  It is spread to both sides of his lymph nodes and inoperable due to the size and position of the tumor.  

Tanner now has to have a radiation and chemo treatment plan which consists of two stages  A&B. 
Stage A  is to treat the cancer with 7 weeks of radiation 5 days a week. and three chemo treatments  every 3 weeks. Stage B will be a different chemo drug every two weeks with no radiation.

Tanner  has a  long road to recovery ahead of him. There are lots of financial and emotional burdens. These are not just on Tanner but his parents as well. Any help for this family would be greatly appreciated.  

Thank you! and GOD BLESS
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Donations 

  • Steve Knighten
    • $20 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Kayla Birdwell
Organizer
Toledo, WA
Dale Birdwell
Beneficiary

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