Jerry’s Carcinoid Cancer Battle
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Jerry’s Story: The Realities of Carcinoid Cancer – Neuroendocrine Tumors.
I am creating this GoFundMe page for my brother, Jerry, who is battling carcinoid cancer, a rare neuroendocrine cancer with limited treatment options. Jerry’s medical struggles began seven years ago, when he was 37-years-old and suffered a massive heart attack. He went into cardiac arrest, was airlifted to the hospital, and had two stents put in to repair 100% blockage. Months following his heart attack, Jerry was still struggling to return to his baseline prior to the heart attack. After numerous doctor visits and tests, it became apparent that Jerry was bleeding internally. Jerry would soon find out that he had tumors from carcinoid cancer in his small intestine. The blood thinners he required post heart attack were causing his tumors to bleed. This type of cancer does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation. Jerry required surgery to have his tumors, lymph nodes, and five feet of his small intestine removed. After months of recovery, Jerry returned to work but continued to struggle with digestive issues, muscle fatigue, and numerous hospitalizations.
Several years later, at the age of 41, Jerry’s carcinoid cancer returned with more tumors in his small intestine. However, this time the tumors were inoperable. There are several medications available for slowing the growth of carcinoid tumors. However, Jerry has tried several times to tolerate these medications but has been unable. He has ended up hospitalized multiple times due to the significant side effects from these medications. For the last three years, Jerry has been living with these inoperable cancerous tumors.
In September 2016, Jerry began struggling with internal bleeding. Jerry was airlifted to the hospital and required several blood transfusions. It was determined that his tumors were bleeding and they were still inoperable. Jerry required several procedures in an attempt to stop the bleeding without success.
To make matters worse, in November 2016, at the age of 44, Jerry suffered another heart attack. Again, he wnt into cardiac arrest in the ambulance and had to be shocked back. He had one stent replaced to repair the 100% blockage. While in the hospital, he suffered two strokes due to a blood clot that had formed in his heart following his heart attack. His medical picture became even more complicated when the treatment for the clot required Jerry be put on blood thinners. Even though Jerry continued to bleed internally, he had to assume the necessary risks of taking blood thinners to treat the greater danger of a stroke. For three months, he was on blood thinners with intermittent bouts of internal bleeding that would drop his blood levels to the point he required blood transfusions.
Now the clot has resolved and he has been able to stop some of the blood thinners; however, significant challenges remain. His tumors have continued to grow in his small intestine and cannot be removed. These tumors continue to bleed and require significant surgery in an attempt to alleviate the internal bleeding. Due to the risk of another heart attack, Jerry cannot have surgery to address the internal bleeding until June 2017. The surgery is significant, as they will attempt to switch a high-pressure vein that goes through the tumor area with a low-pressure vein. The hope is this would resolve the intermittent internal bleeding at the tumor locations. Even with such surgery, they cannot take the tumors out because they are connected to the remaining small intestine that is needed for his nutrition absorption.
This is what carcinoid cancer does, it ravages your insides. Jerry has heard many times from various doctors and friends “but you look so good.” Meanwhile he is dying and struggles daily with incredible digestive and internal bleeding issues. This cancer does not just go away. It stays with you. Even if the tumors could be removed, they always return. Presently, Jerry has numerous tumors in his small intestine and lungs and more will continue to surface with time.
It is unlikely that Jerry will be able to return to work any time soon. Currently, he cannot work due to his low blood level and ongoing internal bleeding. After his surgery in June, he will require at least three months of recovery. He has started the arduous process of filing for social security disability but that will likely take time for any kind of determination. Without being able to work, he will have to start to pay for his medical insurance, which will be $1000 a month. He needs his insurance or else he will have $100,000 dollars in medical bills versus the $12,000 he has now.
For those who know Jerry, understand it is not like him to ask for any kind of assistance. In fact, he can be quite stubborn in his efforts to push forward without complaint. He begrudgingly allowed me to do this because he is in a hard spot, with continued medical bills mounting, no income coming in, his savings exhausted, and being a one-income person.
Jerry is a kind person who has always helps others. He is a hard worker who never takes a short cut in his efforts of doing things the right way. Jerry is a creative and talented person who knows more about every little thing than anyone I know. He loves the outdoors, fishing, and hunting. He does not complain about having cancer, heart attacks, internal bleeding, or strokes. In fact, he has maintained his sense of humor throughout the process of being poked and prodded repeatedly. He puts on a brave disposition for others but the reality is it is very hard and he has traveled this road alone with the support of his family, friends, and his dog.
If there is anything, you can do to assist Jerry that would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to contribute financially to pay towards the $12,000 in medical bills or assist him in keeping his health insurance active that would be amazing. Please take the time to pray for Jerry and spend time with him if you are able. He needs the support of his family and friends in order to continue to fight this incredibly hard fight against carcinoid cancer.
Thank you for your support!
I am creating this GoFundMe page for my brother, Jerry, who is battling carcinoid cancer, a rare neuroendocrine cancer with limited treatment options. Jerry’s medical struggles began seven years ago, when he was 37-years-old and suffered a massive heart attack. He went into cardiac arrest, was airlifted to the hospital, and had two stents put in to repair 100% blockage. Months following his heart attack, Jerry was still struggling to return to his baseline prior to the heart attack. After numerous doctor visits and tests, it became apparent that Jerry was bleeding internally. Jerry would soon find out that he had tumors from carcinoid cancer in his small intestine. The blood thinners he required post heart attack were causing his tumors to bleed. This type of cancer does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation. Jerry required surgery to have his tumors, lymph nodes, and five feet of his small intestine removed. After months of recovery, Jerry returned to work but continued to struggle with digestive issues, muscle fatigue, and numerous hospitalizations.
Several years later, at the age of 41, Jerry’s carcinoid cancer returned with more tumors in his small intestine. However, this time the tumors were inoperable. There are several medications available for slowing the growth of carcinoid tumors. However, Jerry has tried several times to tolerate these medications but has been unable. He has ended up hospitalized multiple times due to the significant side effects from these medications. For the last three years, Jerry has been living with these inoperable cancerous tumors.
In September 2016, Jerry began struggling with internal bleeding. Jerry was airlifted to the hospital and required several blood transfusions. It was determined that his tumors were bleeding and they were still inoperable. Jerry required several procedures in an attempt to stop the bleeding without success.
To make matters worse, in November 2016, at the age of 44, Jerry suffered another heart attack. Again, he wnt into cardiac arrest in the ambulance and had to be shocked back. He had one stent replaced to repair the 100% blockage. While in the hospital, he suffered two strokes due to a blood clot that had formed in his heart following his heart attack. His medical picture became even more complicated when the treatment for the clot required Jerry be put on blood thinners. Even though Jerry continued to bleed internally, he had to assume the necessary risks of taking blood thinners to treat the greater danger of a stroke. For three months, he was on blood thinners with intermittent bouts of internal bleeding that would drop his blood levels to the point he required blood transfusions.
Now the clot has resolved and he has been able to stop some of the blood thinners; however, significant challenges remain. His tumors have continued to grow in his small intestine and cannot be removed. These tumors continue to bleed and require significant surgery in an attempt to alleviate the internal bleeding. Due to the risk of another heart attack, Jerry cannot have surgery to address the internal bleeding until June 2017. The surgery is significant, as they will attempt to switch a high-pressure vein that goes through the tumor area with a low-pressure vein. The hope is this would resolve the intermittent internal bleeding at the tumor locations. Even with such surgery, they cannot take the tumors out because they are connected to the remaining small intestine that is needed for his nutrition absorption.
This is what carcinoid cancer does, it ravages your insides. Jerry has heard many times from various doctors and friends “but you look so good.” Meanwhile he is dying and struggles daily with incredible digestive and internal bleeding issues. This cancer does not just go away. It stays with you. Even if the tumors could be removed, they always return. Presently, Jerry has numerous tumors in his small intestine and lungs and more will continue to surface with time.
It is unlikely that Jerry will be able to return to work any time soon. Currently, he cannot work due to his low blood level and ongoing internal bleeding. After his surgery in June, he will require at least three months of recovery. He has started the arduous process of filing for social security disability but that will likely take time for any kind of determination. Without being able to work, he will have to start to pay for his medical insurance, which will be $1000 a month. He needs his insurance or else he will have $100,000 dollars in medical bills versus the $12,000 he has now.
For those who know Jerry, understand it is not like him to ask for any kind of assistance. In fact, he can be quite stubborn in his efforts to push forward without complaint. He begrudgingly allowed me to do this because he is in a hard spot, with continued medical bills mounting, no income coming in, his savings exhausted, and being a one-income person.
Jerry is a kind person who has always helps others. He is a hard worker who never takes a short cut in his efforts of doing things the right way. Jerry is a creative and talented person who knows more about every little thing than anyone I know. He loves the outdoors, fishing, and hunting. He does not complain about having cancer, heart attacks, internal bleeding, or strokes. In fact, he has maintained his sense of humor throughout the process of being poked and prodded repeatedly. He puts on a brave disposition for others but the reality is it is very hard and he has traveled this road alone with the support of his family, friends, and his dog.
If there is anything, you can do to assist Jerry that would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to contribute financially to pay towards the $12,000 in medical bills or assist him in keeping his health insurance active that would be amazing. Please take the time to pray for Jerry and spend time with him if you are able. He needs the support of his family and friends in order to continue to fight this incredibly hard fight against carcinoid cancer.
Thank you for your support!
Organizer and beneficiary
Karie Madsen
Organizer
Berea, VA
Jerry Gibson
Beneficiary
