Rick’s Fight
Donation protected
As many know by now Rick has a long fight ahead of him. I have created this to help lessen the burden of the financial struggles that lie ahead. As a family of 5 you can only imagine the expenses on a regular a basis, now add travel expenses and medical expenses. I have attached Erica’s post from Facebook so that everyone knows what has happened and what lies ahead of them. Every bit counts! Let’s help them fight this fight!
There really is no good way to start this post, so I will cut to the chase. After being ill since the new year and a brief stay in Albany Med last week Rick has been diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma also known as Bile duct cancer. Many of you have reached out and for that we are thankful. For those of you just finding out I am sorry that this is the way that you are finding out. Unfortunately we’ve been quite busy these last couple of weeks and it is difficult to get information out and communicate with everyone.
Anyone that knows Rick knows that he is a private person. He doesn’t put personal business on facebook but he did agree to this page to help keep everyone in the loop. I have made it so that members can add others that know our family, but please be mindful of who you choose to add to the group. The last thing Rick wants is some one from North Dakota, that he has never met reaching out to him.
How does he feel?
He is jaundice (yellow in color) in his eyes, skin , and under his tongue. He is very tired, does not sleep much, (so he tries to sleep when he can and he is usually only comfortable on the couch or in the recliner.) he has difficulty tolerating food, and the most difficult side effect for him to deal with is the incessant itching which is a side effect of the bilirubin. THE ITCHING. He has broken skin in several places from itching it. We’ve tried hydrocortisone cream, topical and oral Benadryl, Hydroxizine, showers, oatmeal baths, and saline sprays. If anyone has any other suggestion please let me know.
What’s our plan?
Today we met with Dr. Nigam. (Surgeon from Albany Med)
According to him, Rick will need to have his gull bladder removed, part of his intestines, and possibly 50% of his pancreas. The surgery that he will be having after the stent is placed is called the Whipple procedure also known as a pancreaticduodenectomy. It is quite complex and we obviously want the best possible treatment, so wether that is in NYC or right here in Albany we will go where ever Rick decides he is most comfortable and has the most confidence in the surgeon.
The Ampulla of Vater is a small opening in the last centimeter of the common bile duct that connects to the duodenum which is the first section of the intestines. That is where the mass was found. Before the mass can be addressed he needs to have a stent placed in the bile duct to allow his bilirubin and other digestive hormones and enzymes to stabilize. Today he had a chest x-ray, blood work, and an EKG for pre-op testing. If things go as planned he will have a stent placed on Thursday 2.11.21.
As it stands right now we are also seeking a second opinion from Dr.Schrope. Dr Schrope is from the pancreas center at New York Presbyterian. They agree that the stent needs to be placed and we will have a telemed visit with them on Wednesday at 1pm to further decide on a possible plan of action.
We have been referred to NYOH for oncology and will be following up with them in early March.
Please don’t be offended if he does not answer messages or phone calls, he is in a lot of discomfort and sleeps when he can. I will do my best to keep you all updated here. I speak for our entire family when I say thank you for all the love, prayers, dinners, and support! Every fight needs a great team, so thank you for being part of ours!
There really is no good way to start this post, so I will cut to the chase. After being ill since the new year and a brief stay in Albany Med last week Rick has been diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma also known as Bile duct cancer. Many of you have reached out and for that we are thankful. For those of you just finding out I am sorry that this is the way that you are finding out. Unfortunately we’ve been quite busy these last couple of weeks and it is difficult to get information out and communicate with everyone.
Anyone that knows Rick knows that he is a private person. He doesn’t put personal business on facebook but he did agree to this page to help keep everyone in the loop. I have made it so that members can add others that know our family, but please be mindful of who you choose to add to the group. The last thing Rick wants is some one from North Dakota, that he has never met reaching out to him.
How does he feel?
He is jaundice (yellow in color) in his eyes, skin , and under his tongue. He is very tired, does not sleep much, (so he tries to sleep when he can and he is usually only comfortable on the couch or in the recliner.) he has difficulty tolerating food, and the most difficult side effect for him to deal with is the incessant itching which is a side effect of the bilirubin. THE ITCHING. He has broken skin in several places from itching it. We’ve tried hydrocortisone cream, topical and oral Benadryl, Hydroxizine, showers, oatmeal baths, and saline sprays. If anyone has any other suggestion please let me know.
What’s our plan?
Today we met with Dr. Nigam. (Surgeon from Albany Med)
According to him, Rick will need to have his gull bladder removed, part of his intestines, and possibly 50% of his pancreas. The surgery that he will be having after the stent is placed is called the Whipple procedure also known as a pancreaticduodenectomy. It is quite complex and we obviously want the best possible treatment, so wether that is in NYC or right here in Albany we will go where ever Rick decides he is most comfortable and has the most confidence in the surgeon.
The Ampulla of Vater is a small opening in the last centimeter of the common bile duct that connects to the duodenum which is the first section of the intestines. That is where the mass was found. Before the mass can be addressed he needs to have a stent placed in the bile duct to allow his bilirubin and other digestive hormones and enzymes to stabilize. Today he had a chest x-ray, blood work, and an EKG for pre-op testing. If things go as planned he will have a stent placed on Thursday 2.11.21.
As it stands right now we are also seeking a second opinion from Dr.Schrope. Dr Schrope is from the pancreas center at New York Presbyterian. They agree that the stent needs to be placed and we will have a telemed visit with them on Wednesday at 1pm to further decide on a possible plan of action.
We have been referred to NYOH for oncology and will be following up with them in early March.
Please don’t be offended if he does not answer messages or phone calls, he is in a lot of discomfort and sleeps when he can. I will do my best to keep you all updated here. I speak for our entire family when I say thank you for all the love, prayers, dinners, and support! Every fight needs a great team, so thank you for being part of ours!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica Robillard
Organizer
Troy, NY
Erica MG
Beneficiary