Let’s help Nelson Berry beat colon cancer!
Donation protected
Nelson Berry was first diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2016, and it had spread to his liver and right lung. After 3 surgeries (with the last one being in January 2018) and 12 chemo treatments, Nelson has had clean scans. In July of 2018 during a routine CT scan, his liver function was elevated and the bile duct was a little pronounced. After follow-up blood work in October 2018, his liver function was stable and they decided to continue monitoring through routine CT scans and blood work.
In January 2019 during another routine CT scan, his liver function was slightly elevated and the oncologist mentioned his biliary duct again. She said to be on the safe side, she wanted him scheduled for an ERCP (special endoscopy that allows them to look and address issues at the same time). The test was scheduled for a few weeks later; however, within a couple of weeks, he started experiencing severe signs of possible liver failure or a blockage in his biliary duct (extreme fatigue, loss of weight, loss of appetite, jaundice, and abnormal stools and urine). He was admitted to MUSC, where he spent 4 nights undergoing testing and monitoring. It was quickly ruled out that he was NOT in liver failure, and testing pointed toward some type of blockage. An ERCP was performed and a stent was inserted so the bile produced by the liver could flow into the gall bladder and the digestive process could resume. During the ERCP, samples were taken for biopsy. The results of the biopsy showed cancer, but they type of cancer was inconclusive, and Nelson was advised to have a consult with a liver surgeon.
In full Nelson fashion, he had already done his “homework” and tracked down the physician who performed his first liver surgery in 2016. Dr. Claudius Conrad had relocated to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Within a couple of hours of learning he needed a surgical consult, Nelson was scheduled to see Dr. Conrad just six days later. We boarded a plane for Boston, prepared to stay and have surgery...if Nelson was even a candidate. (Most patients can only have one liver surgery, but because of the awesome job Dr. Conrad did the first time around and because Nelson’s liver had regenerated nicely, he was one of the rare patients who could have a second liver surgery.)
On March 7, 2019, Nelson had surgery for what we though was to remove the mass in the bile duct, remove the gall bladder, and reconnect the bile duct. After Dr. Conrad got in there, he discovered the mass was more extensive than initially thought. He said when they got in and to the liver, they could see the obstruction to the bile, in addition to MANY metastasis all in the downstream distribution of segments 6 and 7. They determined it was not safe to move forward. They did do an extensive ultrasound of the liver but did not see cancer there or anywhere else in the abdominal area. A positive is that it is all contained within the bile duct.
He also confirmed that this cancer is a metastasis from the colon cancer. Knowing that, the plan was immediately set to meet with the top medical oncologist from Harvard and confirm the plan going forward. Nelson will have chemo at home in SC with consultation/advice from Dr. Conrad for 3 to 4 months. If all responds well with chemo and the liver completely recovers from the bile obstruction, they will work to grow up the liver to squeeze the blood supply to the segment that is allowing the metastasis to grow. Dr. Conrad said the liver has grown nicely since the first surgery, but is somewhat dependent on these segments. If they determine he can go on without these segments of the liver, Nelson will go back to Boston to finish this surgery. For now, the stent remains (as well as the gall bladder). Dr. Conrad continues to remain very optimistic. An alternate treatment path would involve a specialize radiation treatment of the bile duct area. How Nelson responds to the chemo will determine which is the most preferable treatment for the second phase.
After four nights in the hospital, Nelson was released and allowed to fly back home where he is recovering. He has a surgical incision that is approximately 6” vertically and then 6” horizontally to his right. (In the mirror, he sees a “L”.) He has lost 22 pounds since mid-January, but is slowly getting his appetite back. He has been getting his appointments together and will start chemo in about 3 weeks.
Nelson has a limited income that pays for his recurring monthly expenses (health and car insurance, vehicle maintenance, gas, cell phone, regular monthly medications, visits with his son, Thomas, etc.)
Now, he needs to remain calm and relaxed, and focus on healing so he can plan to go back to Boston to finish this second surgery that Dr. Conrad started. This means no more late night drives with Uber/Lyft that produce the most income, but are also most taxing on his body. To be clear, Nelson does plan to work when he can, but during normal daytime hours. With chemo, he will have good days and bad days.
The following is a snapshot of projected and already incurred expenses (cost is for Nelson and one person to travel with him, rental car, gas, hotel expenses, reasonable meals, etc.). This does not include any unexpected expenses that could arise or that we have not thought about.
*Travel to and from MUSC - $500 (January and February 2019)
*Annual out-of-pocket medical - $7,000 (capped medical amount at $6,700 plus drug cost)
*Travel and expenses to Boston March 2019 - $2,000
*Travel and expenses to Boston after chemo (for assessment) - $2,000
*Travel and expenses to Boston for August surgery or radiation - $2,000
*Lost income from Uber/Lyft - $5,000
He has a mountain of medical bills ahead of him from MUSC, St. Elizabeth’s, and physicians, as well as additional medications. He is also having to prepare to return to Boston, which is an added expense he is pre-planning for (flights, hotel, ground transportation, additional medical expenses, etc.), but he cannot do this alone. If you are inclined to do so, please consider making a donation to this GoFundMe account. Any amount is greatly appreciated. All funds go directly toward his current and near future medical expenses, any unplanned expenses, and routine monthly expenses not covered by his limited income.
Any excess funds raised that are not used to cover outlined expenses will be placed in a special account for college expenses for Nelson’s son, Thomas.
Nelson’s primary focus is to be here to see Thomas graduate from college in 2031. If you know Nelson, you know the fight and determination he has had to be here today - 3 years after his initial stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis. He has faith unlike any you have ever seen, and is a witness to those fighting their own battles of cancer or just their everyday struggles of life.
With most sincere thanks for your time and support, we are Nelson’s friends and family, and he is Tiger Tough! #TeamNel-Rel!
Lori Wilks Bates
Eva Beatty
Mia Bingenheimer
Rick Brackett
Didi Caldwell
Shannon and Allison Carter
Alex Counts
Caryn Crabb
John Crowley
Beth Jordan Davis
Leah Dorman
Tonya Florence Douglass
Jon DuBro
Marty Duvall
Reuben Eargle
Joel Fortenberry
Bryon Frye
Howard Gainey
John Griggs
Bob Hammill
Michelle Morabito Hatchett
Mike Hill
James Hook
Eric Jenkins
Robbie Kinard
David Ludwig
Misty McBee
Scott Neal
Alan Newell
Douglas Robinson
Tommy Rogers
Chip Rouse
Dale Rowland
Diane Bigelow Sigmon
Josh Theodore
Lorri Shealy Unumb
Brad Wilson
Daniel Wool
Charlie Young
In January 2019 during another routine CT scan, his liver function was slightly elevated and the oncologist mentioned his biliary duct again. She said to be on the safe side, she wanted him scheduled for an ERCP (special endoscopy that allows them to look and address issues at the same time). The test was scheduled for a few weeks later; however, within a couple of weeks, he started experiencing severe signs of possible liver failure or a blockage in his biliary duct (extreme fatigue, loss of weight, loss of appetite, jaundice, and abnormal stools and urine). He was admitted to MUSC, where he spent 4 nights undergoing testing and monitoring. It was quickly ruled out that he was NOT in liver failure, and testing pointed toward some type of blockage. An ERCP was performed and a stent was inserted so the bile produced by the liver could flow into the gall bladder and the digestive process could resume. During the ERCP, samples were taken for biopsy. The results of the biopsy showed cancer, but they type of cancer was inconclusive, and Nelson was advised to have a consult with a liver surgeon.
In full Nelson fashion, he had already done his “homework” and tracked down the physician who performed his first liver surgery in 2016. Dr. Claudius Conrad had relocated to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Within a couple of hours of learning he needed a surgical consult, Nelson was scheduled to see Dr. Conrad just six days later. We boarded a plane for Boston, prepared to stay and have surgery...if Nelson was even a candidate. (Most patients can only have one liver surgery, but because of the awesome job Dr. Conrad did the first time around and because Nelson’s liver had regenerated nicely, he was one of the rare patients who could have a second liver surgery.)
On March 7, 2019, Nelson had surgery for what we though was to remove the mass in the bile duct, remove the gall bladder, and reconnect the bile duct. After Dr. Conrad got in there, he discovered the mass was more extensive than initially thought. He said when they got in and to the liver, they could see the obstruction to the bile, in addition to MANY metastasis all in the downstream distribution of segments 6 and 7. They determined it was not safe to move forward. They did do an extensive ultrasound of the liver but did not see cancer there or anywhere else in the abdominal area. A positive is that it is all contained within the bile duct.
He also confirmed that this cancer is a metastasis from the colon cancer. Knowing that, the plan was immediately set to meet with the top medical oncologist from Harvard and confirm the plan going forward. Nelson will have chemo at home in SC with consultation/advice from Dr. Conrad for 3 to 4 months. If all responds well with chemo and the liver completely recovers from the bile obstruction, they will work to grow up the liver to squeeze the blood supply to the segment that is allowing the metastasis to grow. Dr. Conrad said the liver has grown nicely since the first surgery, but is somewhat dependent on these segments. If they determine he can go on without these segments of the liver, Nelson will go back to Boston to finish this surgery. For now, the stent remains (as well as the gall bladder). Dr. Conrad continues to remain very optimistic. An alternate treatment path would involve a specialize radiation treatment of the bile duct area. How Nelson responds to the chemo will determine which is the most preferable treatment for the second phase.
After four nights in the hospital, Nelson was released and allowed to fly back home where he is recovering. He has a surgical incision that is approximately 6” vertically and then 6” horizontally to his right. (In the mirror, he sees a “L”.) He has lost 22 pounds since mid-January, but is slowly getting his appetite back. He has been getting his appointments together and will start chemo in about 3 weeks.
Nelson has a limited income that pays for his recurring monthly expenses (health and car insurance, vehicle maintenance, gas, cell phone, regular monthly medications, visits with his son, Thomas, etc.)
Now, he needs to remain calm and relaxed, and focus on healing so he can plan to go back to Boston to finish this second surgery that Dr. Conrad started. This means no more late night drives with Uber/Lyft that produce the most income, but are also most taxing on his body. To be clear, Nelson does plan to work when he can, but during normal daytime hours. With chemo, he will have good days and bad days.
The following is a snapshot of projected and already incurred expenses (cost is for Nelson and one person to travel with him, rental car, gas, hotel expenses, reasonable meals, etc.). This does not include any unexpected expenses that could arise or that we have not thought about.
*Travel to and from MUSC - $500 (January and February 2019)
*Annual out-of-pocket medical - $7,000 (capped medical amount at $6,700 plus drug cost)
*Travel and expenses to Boston March 2019 - $2,000
*Travel and expenses to Boston after chemo (for assessment) - $2,000
*Travel and expenses to Boston for August surgery or radiation - $2,000
*Lost income from Uber/Lyft - $5,000
He has a mountain of medical bills ahead of him from MUSC, St. Elizabeth’s, and physicians, as well as additional medications. He is also having to prepare to return to Boston, which is an added expense he is pre-planning for (flights, hotel, ground transportation, additional medical expenses, etc.), but he cannot do this alone. If you are inclined to do so, please consider making a donation to this GoFundMe account. Any amount is greatly appreciated. All funds go directly toward his current and near future medical expenses, any unplanned expenses, and routine monthly expenses not covered by his limited income.
Any excess funds raised that are not used to cover outlined expenses will be placed in a special account for college expenses for Nelson’s son, Thomas.
Nelson’s primary focus is to be here to see Thomas graduate from college in 2031. If you know Nelson, you know the fight and determination he has had to be here today - 3 years after his initial stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis. He has faith unlike any you have ever seen, and is a witness to those fighting their own battles of cancer or just their everyday struggles of life.
With most sincere thanks for your time and support, we are Nelson’s friends and family, and he is Tiger Tough! #TeamNel-Rel!
Lori Wilks Bates
Eva Beatty
Mia Bingenheimer
Rick Brackett
Didi Caldwell
Shannon and Allison Carter
Alex Counts
Caryn Crabb
John Crowley
Beth Jordan Davis
Leah Dorman
Tonya Florence Douglass
Jon DuBro
Marty Duvall
Reuben Eargle
Joel Fortenberry
Bryon Frye
Howard Gainey
John Griggs
Bob Hammill
Michelle Morabito Hatchett
Mike Hill
James Hook
Eric Jenkins
Robbie Kinard
David Ludwig
Misty McBee
Scott Neal
Alan Newell
Douglas Robinson
Tommy Rogers
Chip Rouse
Dale Rowland
Diane Bigelow Sigmon
Josh Theodore
Lorri Shealy Unumb
Brad Wilson
Daniel Wool
Charlie Young
Organizer
Leah B. Dorman
Organizer
Irmo, SC
