Winston Kaltenbach
Donation protected
As many of you may know that Winston had mouth/neck cancer 10 years ago. He overcame the extensive surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy that he received back then and he turned his life around; he became more in tune with his body, mind and spirit. He never drank alcohol again , nor did any nicotine products after he had surgery 10 years ago.
Unfortunately, he recently had a wound in his mouth that would not heal so he went to the dentist who referred him to be evaluated for re-occurrence of his mouth cancer. It has been confirmed that is indeed what he is dealing with is Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the mouth.
He had a major surgery, lasting 18 hours, on July 15th to remove his Mandible/Jaw, lower lip, lymph nodes and his posterior tongue. He has a tracheotomy and PEG tube feeding now, and he will for quite some time thus he won't be able to speak or eat for several months. The surgeons removed his r
ight leg fibula bone to use to replace his jaw bone and cut muscle/skin from the same leg to make a flap to replace his chin and lower lip. He will have numerous radiation treatments again and more chemotherapy. The estimated physical recovery time is 4 to 6 months at best, the financial and psychological recovery may take years. We have no idea how long it will be before he can return to work and as many of you may know he is a self-employed Electrician.
I am his sister, Gretchen, and I will do the best I can to keep you informed as to his progress and read to him any notes of encouragement that you may wish to leave for him. I will be answering his telephone until he can speak again, but I would prefer to communicate via text or email [email redacted]
With gratitude from our heart's,
Namaste'
Please follow his journey on Caring Bridge:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/winstonkaltenbach
Unfortunately, he recently had a wound in his mouth that would not heal so he went to the dentist who referred him to be evaluated for re-occurrence of his mouth cancer. It has been confirmed that is indeed what he is dealing with is Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the mouth.
He had a major surgery, lasting 18 hours, on July 15th to remove his Mandible/Jaw, lower lip, lymph nodes and his posterior tongue. He has a tracheotomy and PEG tube feeding now, and he will for quite some time thus he won't be able to speak or eat for several months. The surgeons removed his r
ight leg fibula bone to use to replace his jaw bone and cut muscle/skin from the same leg to make a flap to replace his chin and lower lip. He will have numerous radiation treatments again and more chemotherapy. The estimated physical recovery time is 4 to 6 months at best, the financial and psychological recovery may take years. We have no idea how long it will be before he can return to work and as many of you may know he is a self-employed Electrician. I am his sister, Gretchen, and I will do the best I can to keep you informed as to his progress and read to him any notes of encouragement that you may wish to leave for him. I will be answering his telephone until he can speak again, but I would prefer to communicate via text or email [email redacted]
With gratitude from our heart's,
Namaste'
Please follow his journey on Caring Bridge:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/winstonkaltenbach
Organizer
Gretchen Kaltenbach
Organizer
Lafayette, LA