WrasslinCancer

On May 10th, 2017, Jeremy went to see his doctor who referred him for a CT scan. The following week, Jeremy was diagnosed with Stage 4, Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma. The CT revealed a 10-11 cm renal mass at the left upper pole of his kidney. The following day, Jeremy had a urology appointment and they scheduled surgery for the following week.

On May 24, 2017, Jeremy received a left nephrectomy – the removal of his left kidney, the tumor, and adrenal gland.

Fast forward two months, Jeremy and his wife Janet made their first, of what would end up being many, road trips to Houston to visit the MD Anderson Cancer Center. After Jeremy’s initial surgery it was determined that the cancer had also spread to his lymph node, adrenal gland and lungs, and it was there, at MD Anderson that they were starting their fight.

Over the next 5 years, Jeremy’s battle was everyone’s battle. Jeremy surrounded himself with family, friends, colleagues, business clients, and more who cheered him on throughout his cancer journey. Jeremy went through two different bouts of chemotherapy, multiple anti-cancer medications and even more treatments over the last 5 years. At the end of March, 2023, Jeremy and Janet took another trip to Houston for his latest round of doctor’s appointments and tests. At that time, the brain and bones were clean, however the cancerous spots had all increased in size – while not an extreme amount, growth is growth. Together with his doctors they went over a couple options including a clinical trial. In order to participate, Jeremy had to go off of his meds for at least a month before the trial could start – so that is what he did.

On May 4th & 5th, what they thought would be just another visit to MD Anderson for scans before the trial started, ended up revealing that they found 2 spots on his brain and he was no longer eligible for the trial. The following week, Jeremy saw brain specialists and scheduled a spinal MRI where they found another 2 spots. Jeremy and his doctors put together a plan to fight the latest diagnoses. Jeremy was set to go back on immunotherapy and a new chemo pill as well as receive a Lumbar Puncture and undergo a Gamma Knife procedure (a form of radiation). Jeremy received more MRI’s and more tests to ensure it was safe to proceed with their new battle plan. On May 25th, Jeremy received a Lumbar Puncture; on May 30th, he underwent the Gamma Knife Procedure.

After over a week of hotel stays in Houston, it was time for Jeremy to travel home to Ocean Springs. Home to his house, his bed, wife Janet, daughters Lanie & Macey and Chipper. Home to his family, his friends, his colleagues and his Warriors.

During this time Jeremy should have been focusing on his recovery, his health, and his battle, not the costs and all the other life things that come along with fighting cancer. What many who have not been impacted by cancer (directly or indirectly) may not realize, is no matter how great of an insurance plan you have, insurance doesn’t cover it all. Yes, there’s travel, hotel stays, gas, meals… those expenses are to be expected, I guess. But the medicines, the co-pays, the numerous tests and scans that come along with treatment, most aren’t covered or coverage is minimal. Jeremy and his family were out of pocket an extra $6k over a two week span, just so Jeremy could fight to live his life. This is only just the beginning; Jeremy is already scheduled for more tests, more scans and more medicine. Jeremy has scheduled visits back to Houston and the MD Anderson Cancer Center in July and August.

Thankful for his support system, Jeremy wakes up every morning fighting this battle. His optimism and strength is a pillar to his family and friends. Jeremy would, and has given the shirt off his back to those in need, so now it’s our opportunity to do the same for him. Whatever you can spare is more than Jeremy could ever thank you for.

#ForehandStrong #WrasslinCancer