Cancer support.

Post Treatment update- Paul had his first post treatment follow up on 10/11. Labs are stable, a few have improved. Unfortunately he has developed secondary edema, in addition to a new mass on his right shoulder. Oncology believes the new mass started BEFORE his first treatment, it is very small, and shouldn't grow. Unfortunately he was hospitalized the evening of 10/11, as the pressure caused by the edema was causing immense pain. Because his blood proteins are high, he had to be hospitalized to safely administer diuretics. Thankfully his body handles it very well, no adverse reactions and he was released Sunday. Even though the new mass is VERY VERY small, it's location is causing compression of C6-8 vertebrae, making it very difficult to use his right arm, and he is taking time off of work to rest and let the treatments do their thing. Please continue to keep him and our family in your thoughts and prayers.

On June 28th, Paul slipped at work. X-rays showed a fracture of his clavicle surrounded by healthy bone. Blood work was good.

By the end of July, he had a huge lump growing out of the fracture. A chest CT was scheduled for August 23rd. By that day, he had another lump on his rib. On Sunday, August 25, the report was uploaded, meaning he saw it before any doctor could speak to him, causing extreme anxiety. In the wee hours of August 28th, a second CT report was uploaded, a pelvic CT. This was not ordered by his PCP or ortho. No one seems to know why it was done. It found a 17cm tumor on his liver. Fortunately, he did have a doctor appointment that day. His doctor was very shocked about these findings, as he'd had X-rays on July 1, which showed no shadows, clouding, pockmarks, cross-hatching, or anything that would indicate diseased bone. The doctor put in a stat referral for oncology. I chose to take him to MD Anderson ER that day, where all of these findings were confirmed. Unfortunately, his insurance was denied for any treatment outside of the ER.

His first oncology appointment was 9/5, and biopsies are scheduled for next week.

Up until now, he's been on light duty. Obviously, he'll very soon be on no duty. My part-time job will not sustain us for any length of time. Unless I find a third shift, I can't physically care for what's to come with him, my house, my son (some know the situation with him), pretend like it's all gonna be okay, and work full-time days. Credit cards will be maxed out again in the next couple of weeks from his medical expenses. I need help. I need help to feed our kids and pets. I need help.

Paul is a workaholic father of three boys and one girl, grandfather to 3, with a 4th on the way, brother, uncle to dozens, cat lover and and all animal rescuer.

On the upside, so far he's not sick in any way, aside from crippling anxiety.