Coby's CEO Cancer Battle Fund
Donation protected
The fight against cancer goes on. There is no one I know who can say they DO NOT have a friend or relative who has battled this terrible illness.
Coby is 42 years young and has a 5 year old son that he adores. In July of 2014 Coby went to the hospital for a routine procedure and woke up to the diagnosis of Advanced Stage 4 Colon Cancer, Coby has been fighting the battle of his life ever since. His optimism and enthusiasm for life are contagious.
With that being said, the bills are mounting. Coby started his 2nd round of chemo in August 2015. He is still currently receiving chemo treatments that are taking a toll on his ability to work or even feel well enough to "think" about work. As you can imagine, a commission only career does not bode well if you're too ill to work.
Coby Boyce is a dear friend of mine. Many of you know Coby as he has been in the real estate industry for numerous years. Coby and his friends call him a CEO, Chief Eternal Optimist and that he is! Coby actually gave me a "nudge" to consider a career in this industry many years ago and I'll forever be grateful.
Any help that you can give would truly be grateful! Thank you in advance for your support!
Warmest Regards, Kim
So...cancer sucks.
It all started back in 2008. I knew to myself that I was having issues. My friends would humorously comment on the amount of flatulence I would present and was jokingly but seriously given a gift of a bottle of Beano, ha! When I began to notice blood in my stools I naïvely thought perhaps it was due to my trumpet playing and the force of the air through tubes of brass therefore putting pressure "down below".
In the beginning of 2009 I was referred to a family physician and went in for an annual checkup. It was the first time I ever heard the phrase “please turn and cough” followed by a cold finger. I explained my rectal bleeding and irregular bowel movements (sorry for the TMI, there is a really good point to the story!) The doctor attributed my symptoms as simple hemorrhoids and referred me to a colorectal surgeon just to be sure. Off I went to see the specialist. After the same uncomfortable exams he, too, concluded the same diagnosis. I am young and fit and I have simple hemorrhoids.
During October 2010 my son was born and I sought out a new supposedly “high end” doctor and began to see him once a year for my annual exam. I explained to him that I visited two doctors previously, even a specialist complaining of my symptoms. During this visit, once again my symptoms continued to be the same... rectal bleeding, irregular bowel movements, fatigue and light constipation. After testing, this new doctor concluded that my complaints were just attributed to hemorrhoids and, "not to worry, you're too young".
Let me fast forward to June of 2014. I called my doctor and complained of the same symptoms but this time with much more severe cramping and constipation. It can only be described as - dropping to your knee’s pain. After tests I went in for a follow up appointment and once again it was concluded that I was most likely was suffering from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I was prescribed pills to take during the onset of stomach cramps and was told the cramps "should go away".
During this time, no referral was ever made to have a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is seen as the thing you do when you turn 50 right? Wrong!! On June 25, 2014 a friend referred me to a colorectal surgeon. Within two minutes of me stating my symptoms she said, "Not to scare you but that sounds like colon cancer"! Two days later, June 27th, I was set for the colonoscopy I should have had all along. I closed my eyes then opened my eyes to the sound of the doctor telling me I had stage three colon cancer. I was picked up that afternoon by my dear friend Doug Matthews, whom was my ski buddy and now fellow cancer brother. Doug was previously diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer two years prior. He took me to lunch and a much needed Ping Pong game. At that time he was a patient at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, Arizona and brought me directly to the top oncologist.
It is now July 14, 2014. A PET/CT scan at MD Anderson revealed tumors in my spine, colon and liver. It was determined that I had Advanced Stage 4 Colon Cancer. The scan revealed 11 tumors in my liver, three tumors in my L2 vertebrae and one in my colon. This news, undoubtedly, had me choked me up for a few minutes. That day I requested to start chemotherapy and treatment immediately and within the hour I began eight treatments lasting seven and a half hours each, along with a chemotherapy pump for 48 hours strung to me after every treatment. I responded very well to the drugs and had surgery to remove the now tiny tumor in my colon along with 12 lymph nodes. It was revealed that there was no cancer in the lymph nodes plus the chemotherapy had killed all but three tumors in my liver. My oncologist tells me I’m "good to go", no more chemo for me and I should let my immune system take over from here.
It is now March 2015 and my back is hurting. A biopsy revealed that the L2 vertebrae indeed had three cancerous tumors. Back on chemotherapy I went, though not as intense this round. I completed three treatments and by May 14, 2015 the new PET/CT scan revealed no evidence of my cancer in my body! Holly cow was I happy!! I began focusing on eating healthy and was not taking treatment. I went back for a check-up and the PET/CT scan on August 3, 2015 showed the cancer came back in my liver, a little bit in my L2 vertebrae and a now a new tumor in my left roof hip bone. Devastating news! I am back on chemotherapy. I had another scan in October 2015 and once again the scan showed no evidence of any cancer in my body! Moving forward to January 2016, I am back in the scanner and my roller coaster story continues. The tumors in my liver are still absent but there is recurrence of tumors in both my L2 vertebrae and my left hip. The pain in my L2 vertebrae became very severe causing a compression fracture in my spine. After continued pain, cement was inserted into my L2 vertebrae to relieve the pressure and I went back on chemo though this time I started a new chemotherapy drug combination.
The new chemotherapy didn't work as planned. A scan in May 2016 revealed that all of the original tumors in my liver are back though this time much smaller. The tumor in my left hip doubled in size and there is recurrence in my L2 vertebrae though according the professionals, "it is not bad". After all of this, I am trying to say, that the cancer never really went away. It went into a microscopic state making it undetectable to the scans. At present moment I am undergoing ten radiation treatments to shrink and kill as much of the tumor in my hip as safely as possible and will be going back on chemo that worked well previously.
Chemo and treatment is obviously nothing new for me, though this time around it has hit me very hard. I have endured a lot and tapped into all of my inner strengths to get me through this journey. This has become a big challenge for me both mentally and physically. All of my energy needs to be focused on regaining my health and raising my children. I see new promising immunology drugs coming out in addition to several other awesome alternative medicine avenues. If I’m really going to overcome this disease I need to tap into every available resources there is to get myself healthy again. I truly believe I have a huge purpose in this life, the biggest one being a Dad and the second is spreading my Chief Eternal Optimist (CEO) journey with other cancer patients craving inspiration and hope.
We all have our story but I am hoping that mine will and can inspire others. I hope to inspire others not only who have cancer but those in all walks of life. No matter what life throws at you, be a CEO. Become a CEO in your own life and become one for others. The only way we can all get through this is with the help of others and reaching out when we need it most. I am asking for help from you so I can tackle my journey and then bring my story to others and give back ten-fold. I want to be the real-deal and show others what it takes. With your support and guidance and prayers I can do it. We all can be CEO's.
Much love and inspiration,
Coby is 42 years young and has a 5 year old son that he adores. In July of 2014 Coby went to the hospital for a routine procedure and woke up to the diagnosis of Advanced Stage 4 Colon Cancer, Coby has been fighting the battle of his life ever since. His optimism and enthusiasm for life are contagious.
With that being said, the bills are mounting. Coby started his 2nd round of chemo in August 2015. He is still currently receiving chemo treatments that are taking a toll on his ability to work or even feel well enough to "think" about work. As you can imagine, a commission only career does not bode well if you're too ill to work.
Coby Boyce is a dear friend of mine. Many of you know Coby as he has been in the real estate industry for numerous years. Coby and his friends call him a CEO, Chief Eternal Optimist and that he is! Coby actually gave me a "nudge" to consider a career in this industry many years ago and I'll forever be grateful.
Any help that you can give would truly be grateful! Thank you in advance for your support!
Warmest Regards, Kim
So...cancer sucks.
It all started back in 2008. I knew to myself that I was having issues. My friends would humorously comment on the amount of flatulence I would present and was jokingly but seriously given a gift of a bottle of Beano, ha! When I began to notice blood in my stools I naïvely thought perhaps it was due to my trumpet playing and the force of the air through tubes of brass therefore putting pressure "down below".
In the beginning of 2009 I was referred to a family physician and went in for an annual checkup. It was the first time I ever heard the phrase “please turn and cough” followed by a cold finger. I explained my rectal bleeding and irregular bowel movements (sorry for the TMI, there is a really good point to the story!) The doctor attributed my symptoms as simple hemorrhoids and referred me to a colorectal surgeon just to be sure. Off I went to see the specialist. After the same uncomfortable exams he, too, concluded the same diagnosis. I am young and fit and I have simple hemorrhoids.
During October 2010 my son was born and I sought out a new supposedly “high end” doctor and began to see him once a year for my annual exam. I explained to him that I visited two doctors previously, even a specialist complaining of my symptoms. During this visit, once again my symptoms continued to be the same... rectal bleeding, irregular bowel movements, fatigue and light constipation. After testing, this new doctor concluded that my complaints were just attributed to hemorrhoids and, "not to worry, you're too young".
Let me fast forward to June of 2014. I called my doctor and complained of the same symptoms but this time with much more severe cramping and constipation. It can only be described as - dropping to your knee’s pain. After tests I went in for a follow up appointment and once again it was concluded that I was most likely was suffering from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I was prescribed pills to take during the onset of stomach cramps and was told the cramps "should go away".
During this time, no referral was ever made to have a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is seen as the thing you do when you turn 50 right? Wrong!! On June 25, 2014 a friend referred me to a colorectal surgeon. Within two minutes of me stating my symptoms she said, "Not to scare you but that sounds like colon cancer"! Two days later, June 27th, I was set for the colonoscopy I should have had all along. I closed my eyes then opened my eyes to the sound of the doctor telling me I had stage three colon cancer. I was picked up that afternoon by my dear friend Doug Matthews, whom was my ski buddy and now fellow cancer brother. Doug was previously diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer two years prior. He took me to lunch and a much needed Ping Pong game. At that time he was a patient at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, Arizona and brought me directly to the top oncologist.
It is now July 14, 2014. A PET/CT scan at MD Anderson revealed tumors in my spine, colon and liver. It was determined that I had Advanced Stage 4 Colon Cancer. The scan revealed 11 tumors in my liver, three tumors in my L2 vertebrae and one in my colon. This news, undoubtedly, had me choked me up for a few minutes. That day I requested to start chemotherapy and treatment immediately and within the hour I began eight treatments lasting seven and a half hours each, along with a chemotherapy pump for 48 hours strung to me after every treatment. I responded very well to the drugs and had surgery to remove the now tiny tumor in my colon along with 12 lymph nodes. It was revealed that there was no cancer in the lymph nodes plus the chemotherapy had killed all but three tumors in my liver. My oncologist tells me I’m "good to go", no more chemo for me and I should let my immune system take over from here.
It is now March 2015 and my back is hurting. A biopsy revealed that the L2 vertebrae indeed had three cancerous tumors. Back on chemotherapy I went, though not as intense this round. I completed three treatments and by May 14, 2015 the new PET/CT scan revealed no evidence of my cancer in my body! Holly cow was I happy!! I began focusing on eating healthy and was not taking treatment. I went back for a check-up and the PET/CT scan on August 3, 2015 showed the cancer came back in my liver, a little bit in my L2 vertebrae and a now a new tumor in my left roof hip bone. Devastating news! I am back on chemotherapy. I had another scan in October 2015 and once again the scan showed no evidence of any cancer in my body! Moving forward to January 2016, I am back in the scanner and my roller coaster story continues. The tumors in my liver are still absent but there is recurrence of tumors in both my L2 vertebrae and my left hip. The pain in my L2 vertebrae became very severe causing a compression fracture in my spine. After continued pain, cement was inserted into my L2 vertebrae to relieve the pressure and I went back on chemo though this time I started a new chemotherapy drug combination.
The new chemotherapy didn't work as planned. A scan in May 2016 revealed that all of the original tumors in my liver are back though this time much smaller. The tumor in my left hip doubled in size and there is recurrence in my L2 vertebrae though according the professionals, "it is not bad". After all of this, I am trying to say, that the cancer never really went away. It went into a microscopic state making it undetectable to the scans. At present moment I am undergoing ten radiation treatments to shrink and kill as much of the tumor in my hip as safely as possible and will be going back on chemo that worked well previously.
Chemo and treatment is obviously nothing new for me, though this time around it has hit me very hard. I have endured a lot and tapped into all of my inner strengths to get me through this journey. This has become a big challenge for me both mentally and physically. All of my energy needs to be focused on regaining my health and raising my children. I see new promising immunology drugs coming out in addition to several other awesome alternative medicine avenues. If I’m really going to overcome this disease I need to tap into every available resources there is to get myself healthy again. I truly believe I have a huge purpose in this life, the biggest one being a Dad and the second is spreading my Chief Eternal Optimist (CEO) journey with other cancer patients craving inspiration and hope.
We all have our story but I am hoping that mine will and can inspire others. I hope to inspire others not only who have cancer but those in all walks of life. No matter what life throws at you, be a CEO. Become a CEO in your own life and become one for others. The only way we can all get through this is with the help of others and reaching out when we need it most. I am asking for help from you so I can tackle my journey and then bring my story to others and give back ten-fold. I want to be the real-deal and show others what it takes. With your support and guidance and prayers I can do it. We all can be CEO's.
Much love and inspiration,
Organizer and beneficiary
Kimberly Crabtree Brooks
Organizer
Chandler, AZ
Coby Boyce
Beneficiary