Greg's battle with brain cancer
Greg Stillman is 53 years old and has not had any major health issues. On Tuesday, April 12, 2016 he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (cancerous brain tumor). The doctors say if Greg does nothing, he has 3 months to live, if he does just chemo & radiation, he has 9 months, and if he does surgery, he has 15 months....GREG IS GOING TO PROVE THOSE DOCTORS WRONG!!!!
Greg was at work, when he collapsed from a seizure. He was taken by ambulance to Palmer Lutheran, in West Union. He was very confused and slurring his words. A CT scan and MRI was done and a large (along with many small) tumor was found. Greg's information was sent to Mayo, in Rochester, Minnesota. A doctor with Mayo accepted Greg as a patient; so from West Union, he ws taken by ambulance to Mayo. Mayo had started treatment and the doctors were planning for surgery, to remove the tumor, the following day. The following day the doctors postponed the surgery, one more day (Thursday). With the medication that Mayo was giving him, he seemed to be doing better; he wasn't quite as confused and his speech seemed somewhat better.
The next thing Greg knew, the doctors were saying that they could not perform the sugery, due to Greg not having insurance. They stopped all medication and planned on discharging him. He actually laid in the hospital bed with his IV still in, but hooked up to an empty bag. Greg's fiance, Barb Lucas (our mom), requested that Greg be transported to Iowa City by ambulance; Mayo refused (again....no insurance). When asked if they could guarantee that Greg wouldn't have another seizure on his way to Iowa City, the answer was no. What a way to start the long, scary journey that Greg is facing.
Greg was taken to Iowa City, by private vehicle. By the time he made it to Iowa City, he started going downhill again; confused, slurred speech, and really didn't understand, when you spoke to him.
Iowa City started him back on medication. He stayed overnight and was discharged the next day, with the plan of performing his surgery on Monday, April 18th.
Greg has a full time job, that he will not be able to go back to for quite some time, if ever. Barb also has a full time job, where she has only one vacation day left. So far, she has missed 3 days of work and will be missing many more to take care of Greg, after surgery. Any support from the family, friends, and community would be greatly appreciated.
We are asking for donations to help with medical, daily living expenses, and any unfortunate or unforseen expenses, due to Greg not having life insurance.
We greatly appreciate any donation; every little bit counts.
Thank you,
Heather and Julie (Barb's daughter's)
Greg was at work, when he collapsed from a seizure. He was taken by ambulance to Palmer Lutheran, in West Union. He was very confused and slurring his words. A CT scan and MRI was done and a large (along with many small) tumor was found. Greg's information was sent to Mayo, in Rochester, Minnesota. A doctor with Mayo accepted Greg as a patient; so from West Union, he ws taken by ambulance to Mayo. Mayo had started treatment and the doctors were planning for surgery, to remove the tumor, the following day. The following day the doctors postponed the surgery, one more day (Thursday). With the medication that Mayo was giving him, he seemed to be doing better; he wasn't quite as confused and his speech seemed somewhat better.
The next thing Greg knew, the doctors were saying that they could not perform the sugery, due to Greg not having insurance. They stopped all medication and planned on discharging him. He actually laid in the hospital bed with his IV still in, but hooked up to an empty bag. Greg's fiance, Barb Lucas (our mom), requested that Greg be transported to Iowa City by ambulance; Mayo refused (again....no insurance). When asked if they could guarantee that Greg wouldn't have another seizure on his way to Iowa City, the answer was no. What a way to start the long, scary journey that Greg is facing.
Greg was taken to Iowa City, by private vehicle. By the time he made it to Iowa City, he started going downhill again; confused, slurred speech, and really didn't understand, when you spoke to him.
Iowa City started him back on medication. He stayed overnight and was discharged the next day, with the plan of performing his surgery on Monday, April 18th.
Greg has a full time job, that he will not be able to go back to for quite some time, if ever. Barb also has a full time job, where she has only one vacation day left. So far, she has missed 3 days of work and will be missing many more to take care of Greg, after surgery. Any support from the family, friends, and community would be greatly appreciated.
We are asking for donations to help with medical, daily living expenses, and any unfortunate or unforseen expenses, due to Greg not having life insurance.
We greatly appreciate any donation; every little bit counts.
Thank you,
Heather and Julie (Barb's daughter's)
Organizer
Julie Moore
Organizer
Calmar, IA