The Kawalec Family

The picture above was taken 3 months after Bill's cancer diagnosis.  Our dear friends the Kawalecs, have been fighting together for the past several years against a metastasis bladder cancer for dad and husband Bill.  Bill with his wife Linda and their beautiful daughters Bethany and Emma need our help.  

Currently  Bill is involved in a trial study at Providence St. John’s.   Linda said that Bill was able to receive treatment on Tuesday but they lowered his treatment dose, and they are still giving him a high dose steroid to “try to calm down his liver reaction”.  Unfortunately, the steroid interferes with the efficacy of the immunotherapy treatment (half immuno therapy and half chemotherapy treatment).  The immunotherapy boosts the immune system so the body can attack the cancer, however, the steroid suppresses the immune system which cancels out the treatment effectiveness.  He is beginning to taper his high dose steroid which will diminish the protection to his liver.

Bill sold his business two years ago knowing that his fight with cancer was all consuming.  They are almost done receiving payment (last monthly installment in February 2020).  They are currently taking money out of our home to live on which makes them financially vulnerable.  Linda said they can live frugally in their home for about one more year on remaining balance.

Linda is unable to work currently due to numerous medical concerns in the family.   

After 4 years of uncontrolled seizures and numerous repeat hospitalizations for seizures, Emma (age 16) was finally diagnosed and moderately stablilized in August 2017 on her current epilepsy medication and ketogenic diet.  She is diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy which affects her memory, emotion, and executive functioning.  She has special education needs which we are unable to fully address due to Bill’s life threatening cancer.  Emma is having side effects from her seizure meds and her epilepsy doctor would like her to be readmitted to Children’s Hospital of Orange County, weaned off her medications which will lead to a cascade of difficult-to-control seizures.  Then the long trial and error process of introducing a new seizure medication (and monitoring the consequent side effect profile) will occur.  Often it takes numerous re-admissions to find a seizure medication that can be tolerated and is effective.  Additionally, Emma has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder, “ameliogenesis imperfecta”, which gives her a mouth full of yellow/brown enamel-less nubs for teeth, an open bite so she has a tiny contact to chew her food, and she “chews” mostly by pushing food against her teeth with her tongue or finger.  Emma requires over $50,000 worth of reconstructive dental care to enable her to chew food.  We have no dental insurance and our medical insurance does not cover these needs.  Emma’s reconstructive dentist would like to break her jaw and begin the reconstruction in 2020 as her bones will stop growing and it is the optimal time to proceed with this work. 

Bethany (age 18)  has obsessive compulsive disorder which affects learning, and Asperger’s, a low level austism which require ongoing treatment. Bethany also has a metabolic disorder that causes a muscle wasting syndrome, rhabdomyalysis.  She was hospitalized for 6 days in 2017  Bethany is a nationally recognized debater and speaker.  She is in her senior year and looking at colleges, vying for the coveted performance based scholarships.  Without being able to afford going to tournaments, she is unable to be seen by colleges and perfect her abilities for national competition.  Our desire is to help Bethany fulfill her dreams and fully reach her potential for herself and for her family.

We know Jesus is able to help us and heal!  We pray for a miracle and I strength for the Kawalecs to do the next thing.

Thank you for your financial help and prayers for the Kawalecs.  Even the smallest amount would be a blessing.