Chris "Lippy" Lipinoga's Med. Fund
Donation protected
Most of us Ithaca (and surrounding area) folk know the vivacous and definitely energetic young man known best as Lippy. This is the guy who would not only give you the shirt off of his back, but will also give you a swift kick in the rear if needed. His bonds to the Ithaca community run deep and true.
Unforunately, not many know of the ongoing battle he has been fighting for quite some time now. In 2016 Lippy was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Most of us cannot even imagine what a diagnosis like that might feel like but in typical Lippy fashion, our boy stood tall and fought his way through it. After rounds of chemo and a six hour surgery to remove lymph nodes in his belly, he slowly recovered and started becoming his jovial self once again. He couldnt eat as much pizza as he would have liked, but promised us all that when he could, we would have the biggest pizza party ever! Sadly, in the spring of 2017 he was back in the mean old grips of cancer. His team of doctors recommended a stem cell bone morrow transplant and chemo thereapy, and not just once, but two rounds of this procedure.
During his first round of chemo in 2016, Lippy experienced a significant loss of hearing and since being hospitalized most recently his hearing has become even worse. Once his final round of chemo therapy is done he is expecting his hearing to be almost completely gone. This will mean more doctors and possible hearing aids.
Throughout all of this, he continues to smile and take care of the people he loves in any way he possibly can.
Luckily, this brave dude doesnt go down without a fight. It isnt,however, a fight he should be fighting alone.
Below is a brief synopsis of what exactly it is he has been dealing with in more technical terms. written out by his father who I admire dearly and who understands these things a little better than I.
Spring 2016 Chris experienced a lot of back pain that would not stop. ER visit showed a tumor on the testicle. Blood test determined what bio markers the tumor was making which help specify the exact diagnosis telling DR Campbell what treatment was needed. The appropriate surgery was done. Treatment was started in April thru June with 4 rounds of week long infusions. The bio Markers went down indicating a treatment response. Follow up visits with Dr Julie Campbell later that summer recommended a visit with DR.Levine at Roswell and Dr Schwaab. The visit and guidance of national treatment standards recommended a technical surgery of the Lymph nodes in the belly which Dr Schwaab did in fall. Delicately Chris responded to a recovery that limited things he could do. Follow up indicated markers went down indicating a response.
At a routine follow up visits at Dr Julie Campbell a slight increase in the markers appeared in late spring/ early summer.A repeat visit after that showed increase continuance. A visit to Dr McCarthy ( Stem cell expert) at Roswell was suggested. The Therapy that was recommended for Chris was 2 cycles of high dose chem therapy with stem cell support from Chris,s own blood. The hi dose Chemo is given for 3 days in a row as an inpatient. After these infusions 3 plus days are waited. At that time Chris's own stem cell ( the building block for red cells - for energy ,white cells to prevent infection and platelets that prevent/ stop bleeding) are introduced back to him. The stem cells will become in-bedded and do there stem cell jobs as described.
This cycle is repeated one more time. Chris needs to stay within 45 minutes of his Buffalo hospital for 2 weeks after hospital discharge. Numerous precautions ( food to eat, animal environment mold exposure) to prevent infection need to be used for 3 to 6 months after he finishes the treatments. Release to work will not be given until this recovery time is completed.
..............
Its going to take a long time for Lippy to get back on his feet. I personally have all the faith in the world that he is going to come back from this with more super powers than ever, but that wont really help with the financial toll this disease will take. Anything at all helps. Both Lippy and his family appreciate even your warm thoughts. But lets get this guy ready and set to take over the world.
Lippy is currently staying in the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo NY. You can find further information on the hospital at https://www.roswellpark.org/
For every donation given, we will send out bracelets designed by Lippy himself for cancer awareness. They are also available to purchase.
We would love to hear any fun experiences you've had with Lippy in the comments below. Spread the love and definitely the laughs. It is what keep him going.
We love your guts, friends....
once again, cancer sucks
but our community doesnt
lets kick its butt
WE LOVE YOU LIPPY!!!
Unforunately, not many know of the ongoing battle he has been fighting for quite some time now. In 2016 Lippy was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Most of us cannot even imagine what a diagnosis like that might feel like but in typical Lippy fashion, our boy stood tall and fought his way through it. After rounds of chemo and a six hour surgery to remove lymph nodes in his belly, he slowly recovered and started becoming his jovial self once again. He couldnt eat as much pizza as he would have liked, but promised us all that when he could, we would have the biggest pizza party ever! Sadly, in the spring of 2017 he was back in the mean old grips of cancer. His team of doctors recommended a stem cell bone morrow transplant and chemo thereapy, and not just once, but two rounds of this procedure.
During his first round of chemo in 2016, Lippy experienced a significant loss of hearing and since being hospitalized most recently his hearing has become even worse. Once his final round of chemo therapy is done he is expecting his hearing to be almost completely gone. This will mean more doctors and possible hearing aids.
Throughout all of this, he continues to smile and take care of the people he loves in any way he possibly can.
Luckily, this brave dude doesnt go down without a fight. It isnt,however, a fight he should be fighting alone.
Below is a brief synopsis of what exactly it is he has been dealing with in more technical terms. written out by his father who I admire dearly and who understands these things a little better than I.
Spring 2016 Chris experienced a lot of back pain that would not stop. ER visit showed a tumor on the testicle. Blood test determined what bio markers the tumor was making which help specify the exact diagnosis telling DR Campbell what treatment was needed. The appropriate surgery was done. Treatment was started in April thru June with 4 rounds of week long infusions. The bio Markers went down indicating a treatment response. Follow up visits with Dr Julie Campbell later that summer recommended a visit with DR.Levine at Roswell and Dr Schwaab. The visit and guidance of national treatment standards recommended a technical surgery of the Lymph nodes in the belly which Dr Schwaab did in fall. Delicately Chris responded to a recovery that limited things he could do. Follow up indicated markers went down indicating a response.
At a routine follow up visits at Dr Julie Campbell a slight increase in the markers appeared in late spring/ early summer.A repeat visit after that showed increase continuance. A visit to Dr McCarthy ( Stem cell expert) at Roswell was suggested. The Therapy that was recommended for Chris was 2 cycles of high dose chem therapy with stem cell support from Chris,s own blood. The hi dose Chemo is given for 3 days in a row as an inpatient. After these infusions 3 plus days are waited. At that time Chris's own stem cell ( the building block for red cells - for energy ,white cells to prevent infection and platelets that prevent/ stop bleeding) are introduced back to him. The stem cells will become in-bedded and do there stem cell jobs as described.
This cycle is repeated one more time. Chris needs to stay within 45 minutes of his Buffalo hospital for 2 weeks after hospital discharge. Numerous precautions ( food to eat, animal environment mold exposure) to prevent infection need to be used for 3 to 6 months after he finishes the treatments. Release to work will not be given until this recovery time is completed.
..............
Its going to take a long time for Lippy to get back on his feet. I personally have all the faith in the world that he is going to come back from this with more super powers than ever, but that wont really help with the financial toll this disease will take. Anything at all helps. Both Lippy and his family appreciate even your warm thoughts. But lets get this guy ready and set to take over the world.
Lippy is currently staying in the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo NY. You can find further information on the hospital at https://www.roswellpark.org/
For every donation given, we will send out bracelets designed by Lippy himself for cancer awareness. They are also available to purchase.
We would love to hear any fun experiences you've had with Lippy in the comments below. Spread the love and definitely the laughs. It is what keep him going.
We love your guts, friends....
once again, cancer sucks
but our community doesnt
lets kick its butt
WE LOVE YOU LIPPY!!!
Organiser
Amanda Marie
Organiser
Ithaca, NY
