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Joe Greene. Joseph Greene. Handsome. Strong. Resilient. Hilarious. Witty. Super smart. Sincere smiler. Great hugger. Loving, tender heart. All of these words have accurately described him since day one.
Now he's earned a few more...Brave. Warrior. Brain tumor slayer. Rockstar. Defeater of odds. Infection overcomer. Henry Ford Neuro ICU resident record-breaker.
I can't wait to add more words to describe this amazing young man in the next few months as he continues to fight, and win, this battle that he didn't sign up for.
Up until March 23, 2018, Joe was a normal 29-year-old young man. He'd been suffering from headaches for a few months and was attempting to get some answers. After a recent trip to Texas for his cousin's wedding, it was apparent that it wasn't just headaches anymore. Joe decided it was time to get some answers, and presented to the McLaren Bay Emergency Department. In a flurry of motions, there was a CT scan, CTA scan, an MRI, and labs were drawn. It was there, in the ED, that Joe learned he had a rather sizable brain tumor.
Medications were started immediately. Surgery was scheduled for three days later. Joe had a shunt placed and a biopsy was done on March 26, 2018.
Biopsy results and translation:
Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p 19q co-deleted, WHO grade II.
According to the neuro team at Henry Ford: Joe's tumor stems from the glial cells in the brain. It was mostly in the right frontal lobe and involved the corpus callosum. The genetic makeup of the tumor makes it the most responsive to treatment. The location of the tumor is the best place to remove most of it. Joe’s age and stellar health prior to diagnosis makes him the best candidate for this treatment plan. And even more promising from the neurosurgeon; “We can either be aggressive now, and then in 20, 30, 40 years, if it comes back, be less aggressive, or we can be less aggressive now and more aggressive later if it comes back. You’re 29 and otherwise healthy, I think being aggressive now is the best approach.” Hope for the future. Good prognosis. That was great news.
On May 1, 2018, Dr. Adam Robin and his team went in and removed the majority of the tumor. He was careful to not be too aggressive near parts that are important to Joe, like the guitar-playing spot. Surgery went as expected with no major complications. Healing nicely, Joe went home with Mom (aka Teri/Martha) and Mike to finish recuperating until radiation and chemotherapy could begin. Joe deteriorated at home instead of getting better.
May 14, 2018, Joe is admitted to Neuro ICU at Henry Ford Hospital to be treated for a SIGNIFICANT infection. There was bacteria in his blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Joe was septic and needed lots of medication, tests, close monitoring, and care.
Today, June 25, 2018, marks day number 42 of Joe's stay at Henry Ford. He's still in the ICU, but at least now, there are talks of discharge. He's healing well, recovering from the infection, and right back to his sassy, determined, witty self. Due to the extended stay in ICU, Joe will be discharged to a rehabilitation facility to regain strength. Once well enough, radiation and chemotherapy will begin.
This is where and why Joe needs your help. Joe lost his job just a few days before his diagnosis. In hindsight, his performance likely paralleled his symptoms/disease. Again, Joe was living a normal life merely 90 days ago. He still has bills and obligations. He now has zero income. He will continue to have zero income while residing at inpatient rehab, and while being treated with radiation and chemotherapy. His bills and obligations will continue to accumulate. When this is all over, and Joe is better, it would be ideal for his normal life to have been preserved; simply awaiting his return.
His mother Teri is no longer in a position to help with all of these things because her paid time off has been exhausted. Joe's stepfather Mike is busy working as much as he possibly can to help with the added expense and to make is possible for Teri to stay in Detroit during this time. Teri has only left Joe's side very minimally during the last 90 days. She has stayed in hotels around the Detroit area, made sure someone is there when she absolutely couldn't be, and eaten mostly out of coolers that she lugs around all day. Finally today, one of the apartments opened up right on campus at Henry Ford Health System. Not in 42 days has there been an apartment available for rent.
If there is anyway you could possibly help, please consider donating. Every effort is greatly appreciated.
If you'd like to send a card to Joe directly, please mail to:
Joe Greene
616 W. Brownlee Road
Sanford, MI 48657-9421
Now he's earned a few more...Brave. Warrior. Brain tumor slayer. Rockstar. Defeater of odds. Infection overcomer. Henry Ford Neuro ICU resident record-breaker.
I can't wait to add more words to describe this amazing young man in the next few months as he continues to fight, and win, this battle that he didn't sign up for.
Up until March 23, 2018, Joe was a normal 29-year-old young man. He'd been suffering from headaches for a few months and was attempting to get some answers. After a recent trip to Texas for his cousin's wedding, it was apparent that it wasn't just headaches anymore. Joe decided it was time to get some answers, and presented to the McLaren Bay Emergency Department. In a flurry of motions, there was a CT scan, CTA scan, an MRI, and labs were drawn. It was there, in the ED, that Joe learned he had a rather sizable brain tumor.
Medications were started immediately. Surgery was scheduled for three days later. Joe had a shunt placed and a biopsy was done on March 26, 2018.
Biopsy results and translation:
Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p 19q co-deleted, WHO grade II.
According to the neuro team at Henry Ford: Joe's tumor stems from the glial cells in the brain. It was mostly in the right frontal lobe and involved the corpus callosum. The genetic makeup of the tumor makes it the most responsive to treatment. The location of the tumor is the best place to remove most of it. Joe’s age and stellar health prior to diagnosis makes him the best candidate for this treatment plan. And even more promising from the neurosurgeon; “We can either be aggressive now, and then in 20, 30, 40 years, if it comes back, be less aggressive, or we can be less aggressive now and more aggressive later if it comes back. You’re 29 and otherwise healthy, I think being aggressive now is the best approach.” Hope for the future. Good prognosis. That was great news.
On May 1, 2018, Dr. Adam Robin and his team went in and removed the majority of the tumor. He was careful to not be too aggressive near parts that are important to Joe, like the guitar-playing spot. Surgery went as expected with no major complications. Healing nicely, Joe went home with Mom (aka Teri/Martha) and Mike to finish recuperating until radiation and chemotherapy could begin. Joe deteriorated at home instead of getting better.
May 14, 2018, Joe is admitted to Neuro ICU at Henry Ford Hospital to be treated for a SIGNIFICANT infection. There was bacteria in his blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Joe was septic and needed lots of medication, tests, close monitoring, and care.
Today, June 25, 2018, marks day number 42 of Joe's stay at Henry Ford. He's still in the ICU, but at least now, there are talks of discharge. He's healing well, recovering from the infection, and right back to his sassy, determined, witty self. Due to the extended stay in ICU, Joe will be discharged to a rehabilitation facility to regain strength. Once well enough, radiation and chemotherapy will begin.
This is where and why Joe needs your help. Joe lost his job just a few days before his diagnosis. In hindsight, his performance likely paralleled his symptoms/disease. Again, Joe was living a normal life merely 90 days ago. He still has bills and obligations. He now has zero income. He will continue to have zero income while residing at inpatient rehab, and while being treated with radiation and chemotherapy. His bills and obligations will continue to accumulate. When this is all over, and Joe is better, it would be ideal for his normal life to have been preserved; simply awaiting his return.
His mother Teri is no longer in a position to help with all of these things because her paid time off has been exhausted. Joe's stepfather Mike is busy working as much as he possibly can to help with the added expense and to make is possible for Teri to stay in Detroit during this time. Teri has only left Joe's side very minimally during the last 90 days. She has stayed in hotels around the Detroit area, made sure someone is there when she absolutely couldn't be, and eaten mostly out of coolers that she lugs around all day. Finally today, one of the apartments opened up right on campus at Henry Ford Health System. Not in 42 days has there been an apartment available for rent.
If there is anyway you could possibly help, please consider donating. Every effort is greatly appreciated.
If you'd like to send a card to Joe directly, please mail to:
Joe Greene
616 W. Brownlee Road
Sanford, MI 48657-9421
Co-organizers5
Teri Collver
Beneficiary