Help Dave LaBoone Beat Cancer
Donation protected
Dave -- or Señor LaBoone, as he’s more fondly known at Hammond School -- and his sweet family are facing a tough summer after receiving a troublesome cancer diagnosis at the end of April.
Everything has happened very fast and those of you who have been following along on Dave’s CaringBridge page are aware of the incredible bravery, optimism, and determination he and Laura are demonstrating on this journey. We know that this is in no small part because of the love and support they continue to receive from each of you. Thank you.
For those hearing this news for the first time, here is a brief timeline of events:
4/24/19 - Dave was diagnosed with an aggressive form of squamous cell carcinoma on his tongue.
5/7/19 - Dave underwent an intensive two-part surgery at MUSC in Charleston to first remove the tumor from his tongue and then reconstruct with donor tissue (including artery and vein) from his left arm.
5/14/19 - After 7 nights at MUSC he was finally discharged to continue his healing at home in Columbia after a long week without Megan and Thomas.
5/16/19 - Surgical pathology report indicated a need for further treatment. After consulting many experts, Dave and Laura decided an aggressive approach (6 weeks of daily radiation and once-weekly chemotherapy) would be best because Dave had no risk factors and there may be other areas developing.
5/27/19 - Three weeks post-op Dave continued to heal through PT exercises for his arm and a strict liquid high-protein and high-fat diet geared toward bulking him up! He gained 7 pounds in a 72 hour period!!
6/3/19 - Four weeks post-op Dave and Laura headed to Charleston to begin the first week of 5x/week radiation and once-weekly chemo. It went well, but Dave was experiencing pretty severe nausea from the chemo, really affecting his appetite.
6/12/19 - This week John, Dave’s brother, visited from Colorado and stayed with him at the Hope Lodge in Charleston. Dave’s reaction to the chemo has been much better than last week. A new longer-acting anti-nausea medication seems to be working so his appetite is better, he’s staying hydrated, and exercising lots in the Charleston summer heat.
Though it’s been nearly two months since Dave’s diagnosis, the road ahead for the LaBoone family is long. Dave is facing four more weeks of chemo and radiation followed by several weeks after that of not feeling his best. The rapid healing Dave achieved during the month following his operation may be slowed by the radiation and the chemotherapy of the coming weeks, especially the healing of his donor arm tissue, since the chemo will specifically be targeting epithelial (skin) cells.
The LaBoone family would be the first to offer help to anyone in need and the last to ask for it themselves. So we have taken it upon ourselves to ask on their behalf, as we know that medical costs will quickly pile up.
Your support will go directly toward helping the LaBoone family cover the costs of the tumor removal and reconstructive surgery, 7 nights at MUSC post-op, 6 weeks of chemo and radiation treatments, weekly transportation to MUSC for treatments, and medications.
From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for the kindness you have shown our family during this difficult time. Love to you all.
The Mesa Family
Everything has happened very fast and those of you who have been following along on Dave’s CaringBridge page are aware of the incredible bravery, optimism, and determination he and Laura are demonstrating on this journey. We know that this is in no small part because of the love and support they continue to receive from each of you. Thank you.
For those hearing this news for the first time, here is a brief timeline of events:
4/24/19 - Dave was diagnosed with an aggressive form of squamous cell carcinoma on his tongue.
5/7/19 - Dave underwent an intensive two-part surgery at MUSC in Charleston to first remove the tumor from his tongue and then reconstruct with donor tissue (including artery and vein) from his left arm.
5/14/19 - After 7 nights at MUSC he was finally discharged to continue his healing at home in Columbia after a long week without Megan and Thomas.
5/16/19 - Surgical pathology report indicated a need for further treatment. After consulting many experts, Dave and Laura decided an aggressive approach (6 weeks of daily radiation and once-weekly chemotherapy) would be best because Dave had no risk factors and there may be other areas developing.
5/27/19 - Three weeks post-op Dave continued to heal through PT exercises for his arm and a strict liquid high-protein and high-fat diet geared toward bulking him up! He gained 7 pounds in a 72 hour period!!
6/3/19 - Four weeks post-op Dave and Laura headed to Charleston to begin the first week of 5x/week radiation and once-weekly chemo. It went well, but Dave was experiencing pretty severe nausea from the chemo, really affecting his appetite.
6/12/19 - This week John, Dave’s brother, visited from Colorado and stayed with him at the Hope Lodge in Charleston. Dave’s reaction to the chemo has been much better than last week. A new longer-acting anti-nausea medication seems to be working so his appetite is better, he’s staying hydrated, and exercising lots in the Charleston summer heat.
Though it’s been nearly two months since Dave’s diagnosis, the road ahead for the LaBoone family is long. Dave is facing four more weeks of chemo and radiation followed by several weeks after that of not feeling his best. The rapid healing Dave achieved during the month following his operation may be slowed by the radiation and the chemotherapy of the coming weeks, especially the healing of his donor arm tissue, since the chemo will specifically be targeting epithelial (skin) cells.
The LaBoone family would be the first to offer help to anyone in need and the last to ask for it themselves. So we have taken it upon ourselves to ask on their behalf, as we know that medical costs will quickly pile up.
Your support will go directly toward helping the LaBoone family cover the costs of the tumor removal and reconstructive surgery, 7 nights at MUSC post-op, 6 weeks of chemo and radiation treatments, weekly transportation to MUSC for treatments, and medications.
From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for the kindness you have shown our family during this difficult time. Love to you all.
The Mesa Family
Fundraising team: Team LaBoone (2)
Anna Mesa
Organizer
Columbia, SC
David LaBoone
Beneficiary
Adriana Dickert
Team member
