Kellen's Cancer War: Rogue Gland
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Kellen was diagnosed with Salivary Duct Cancer, a rare type of Salivary Gland Cancer.
He had been doctoring for about a month due to a swollen lymph node on the right side of his neck.
Bloodwork (lots!), trying antibiotics, an ultrasound, and a CT scan later the doctor recommended a biopsy. After having it surgically removed, the Monday before Thanksgiving the biopsy gave us terrible news. We discovered it was metastatic cancer. This was a shock to all of us as Kellen had no symptoms other than the lump.
On Wednesday, November 23rd he had a PET scan that revealed a second tumor spot that was on his sternum.
Kellen was given a diagnosis of Cancer of Unknown Primary, Stage 4 at that time.
On December 9th Kellen had a neck dissection to remove 65 lymph nodes on the right side of his neck. They also removed his submandibular gland and his sublingual gland on the right side so they could biopsy them and try and determine the primary source. While recovering, we met with a thoracic surgeon to discuss removing the tumor in his sternum bone. Less than a week later, on December 15th, Kellen had surgery that removed the right corner of his menubrium, or the top of his sternum. We also discovered the results of the neck dissection. Kellen's diagnosis has now been updated to Salivary Duct cancer. It was coming from his submandibular gland and located in his lingual duct. Although the findings didn't change his prognosis due to Stage 4, we were happy to find the type to help specify his treatment.
Now that Kellen has completed two surgeries, we had appointments to determine the exact type of treatments as well as fertility preservation. Then, in January he started chemo and radiation. His port was inserted during surgery, so we were ready to go! Radiation will be every weekday for 6/7 weeks. He will also receive 3 IV treatments (1 immunotherapy and 2 chemos). This will be once a week, and will run through radiation plus 3 months after. After that, he will continue his immunotherapy for a year. At the age of 25, this news has been very trying, but we are reminded daily and are thankful for the outpouring support we have and the determined doctors who have been with us since the get-go. We are uplifted by the care, love, prayers, and thoughts we have received that help us prepare for Kellen's healing!
He had been doctoring for about a month due to a swollen lymph node on the right side of his neck.
Bloodwork (lots!), trying antibiotics, an ultrasound, and a CT scan later the doctor recommended a biopsy. After having it surgically removed, the Monday before Thanksgiving the biopsy gave us terrible news. We discovered it was metastatic cancer. This was a shock to all of us as Kellen had no symptoms other than the lump.
On Wednesday, November 23rd he had a PET scan that revealed a second tumor spot that was on his sternum.
Kellen was given a diagnosis of Cancer of Unknown Primary, Stage 4 at that time.
On December 9th Kellen had a neck dissection to remove 65 lymph nodes on the right side of his neck. They also removed his submandibular gland and his sublingual gland on the right side so they could biopsy them and try and determine the primary source. While recovering, we met with a thoracic surgeon to discuss removing the tumor in his sternum bone. Less than a week later, on December 15th, Kellen had surgery that removed the right corner of his menubrium, or the top of his sternum. We also discovered the results of the neck dissection. Kellen's diagnosis has now been updated to Salivary Duct cancer. It was coming from his submandibular gland and located in his lingual duct. Although the findings didn't change his prognosis due to Stage 4, we were happy to find the type to help specify his treatment.
Now that Kellen has completed two surgeries, we had appointments to determine the exact type of treatments as well as fertility preservation. Then, in January he started chemo and radiation. His port was inserted during surgery, so we were ready to go! Radiation will be every weekday for 6/7 weeks. He will also receive 3 IV treatments (1 immunotherapy and 2 chemos). This will be once a week, and will run through radiation plus 3 months after. After that, he will continue his immunotherapy for a year. At the age of 25, this news has been very trying, but we are reminded daily and are thankful for the outpouring support we have and the determined doctors who have been with us since the get-go. We are uplifted by the care, love, prayers, and thoughts we have received that help us prepare for Kellen's healing!
Organizer
Vanessa Summers
Organizer
Omaha, NE
