#NasworthyStrong
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On September 16, 2018, Phil was admitted to the hospital with a high fever and high heart rate, but otherwise only flu-like symptoms. What was once thought to be a night stay for observational purposes, this particular ER visit turned into a rollercoaster of emotions, questions, uncertainty, blessings, and a true representation of what the power of prayer can do.
After going into the hospital that day, Phil has yet to make it home to his own bed. His journey started at Cartersville Medical, where he and his girlfriend Lindsey spent 9 days in a state of uncertainty. High fevers, debilitating cold chills and rigors, high HR, trouble breathing, a mysterious rash, no appetite, severe headache, low blood counts, enlarged organs, and exhaustion were only some of the array of symptoms Phil was experiencing. After a team full of doctors, including infectious disease, hematology, and pathology joined Phil’s case, and they performed every blood test, and put him through every scan one could think of with no definitive answers, the team (with the help of a persistent girlfriend and family) decided that it was time to transfer him to Emory.
The next leg of Phil’s journey included a scenic tour of Emory University Hospital, as he has been moved 6 times. While at first getting comfortable in a regular hospital room, Phil was rushed to the ICU with a 105 fever and a 157 HR, while not being able to breathe well. Phil would spend the next 7 days in ICU where he would battle dangerously high fevers, dropping oxygen, as well as the previously stated symptoms. At Emory, Phil’s team of doctors started to grow by the day. He was seen, evaluated, and studied by Infectious Disease, Hematology, Pathology, Dermatology, Oncology, as well as a few other specialists that took interest in his case. After exploring tick bite viruses, sepsis, and other random viral infections, doctors [somewhat] determined he had a disease/syndrome called Secondary HLH. HLH is basically a rare OVERreaction of the immune system that causes inflammation of the body and organs, and where the good blood cells are “eaten” almost immediately after being produced. The problem is that the HLH is a reaction to another underlying condition which could be infection, autoimmune, or malignancy.
Fast forward to the present, and it has now been 27 days and counting since Phil entered the hospital. After moving from the ICU, to a hospital room, to the oncology wing, back to the ICU, and now back to the oncology wing, Lindsey and Phil’s parents have had many sleepless nights in the hospital, but continue to stay strong by his side. We now know that Phil has Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma B-Cell CANCER that was found in a mass at the adrenal gland. After doing the biopsy on the mass (and having to go through the liver) doctors found that lymphoma is also present in the liver. Phil’s liver began to not function properly causing his Bilirubin levels to reach a dangerous level of 58 (should be less than 1). He has also been getting blood transfusions due to his hemoglobin levels being super low.
So that’s the story-now here’s the treatment! Phil has started his chemotherapy and is in the middle of his first round of treatment of an aggressive R-EPOCH regiment that is administered for 24hours a day for 4-5 days. He will then have to do the same rigorous treatment a few weeks later with many outpatient clinic visits in between. (Depending on if they discharge him after treatment). After the second round, the plan is to do outpatient regiments every couple of weeks depending on progress.
As of now, Phil is AMAZING doctors! His levels are improving, his Bilirubin is dropping substantially, he’s beginning to eat, and he’s beginning to get his energy and spunk back with the help of PT. ! We are all so hopeful!
With all that being said, this page has been set up to help with medical costs for what we can only imagine will be substantial! Phil is a teacher for Cobb County School System, and while he does have insurance, he is looking at being out of work for quite some time. Lindsey is a teacher for Bartow County School System, and has recently been required to return to work where she commutes back and forth from Emory to Cartersville each day. With medical bills, plus the countless miles of driving back and forth to Emory (best care) for outpatient clinic treatments and chemo, the $$ number is surely adding up!
First and foremost, we ask for prayers for Phil, his girlfriend Lindsey, and their families that are involved in this difficult journey. The power of prayer has been amazing and moving through this experience. Secondly, our hope is to try and alleviate some of the financial burden that unfortunately follows patients after already going through a traumatic experience. Please feel free to give as much or as little as you can afford. At times like these, it really takes a village to lift one another up and carry them through the adversity.
We truly appreciate any contribution and we especially are grateful for the love, support, and prayers that you can say for Phil during this emotional and exhausting situation. The outpouring of love and prayers for Phil, Lindsey, and their families has already been making miracles happen!
#NasworthyStrong
#TurningATestIntoATestimony
After going into the hospital that day, Phil has yet to make it home to his own bed. His journey started at Cartersville Medical, where he and his girlfriend Lindsey spent 9 days in a state of uncertainty. High fevers, debilitating cold chills and rigors, high HR, trouble breathing, a mysterious rash, no appetite, severe headache, low blood counts, enlarged organs, and exhaustion were only some of the array of symptoms Phil was experiencing. After a team full of doctors, including infectious disease, hematology, and pathology joined Phil’s case, and they performed every blood test, and put him through every scan one could think of with no definitive answers, the team (with the help of a persistent girlfriend and family) decided that it was time to transfer him to Emory.
The next leg of Phil’s journey included a scenic tour of Emory University Hospital, as he has been moved 6 times. While at first getting comfortable in a regular hospital room, Phil was rushed to the ICU with a 105 fever and a 157 HR, while not being able to breathe well. Phil would spend the next 7 days in ICU where he would battle dangerously high fevers, dropping oxygen, as well as the previously stated symptoms. At Emory, Phil’s team of doctors started to grow by the day. He was seen, evaluated, and studied by Infectious Disease, Hematology, Pathology, Dermatology, Oncology, as well as a few other specialists that took interest in his case. After exploring tick bite viruses, sepsis, and other random viral infections, doctors [somewhat] determined he had a disease/syndrome called Secondary HLH. HLH is basically a rare OVERreaction of the immune system that causes inflammation of the body and organs, and where the good blood cells are “eaten” almost immediately after being produced. The problem is that the HLH is a reaction to another underlying condition which could be infection, autoimmune, or malignancy.
Fast forward to the present, and it has now been 27 days and counting since Phil entered the hospital. After moving from the ICU, to a hospital room, to the oncology wing, back to the ICU, and now back to the oncology wing, Lindsey and Phil’s parents have had many sleepless nights in the hospital, but continue to stay strong by his side. We now know that Phil has Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma B-Cell CANCER that was found in a mass at the adrenal gland. After doing the biopsy on the mass (and having to go through the liver) doctors found that lymphoma is also present in the liver. Phil’s liver began to not function properly causing his Bilirubin levels to reach a dangerous level of 58 (should be less than 1). He has also been getting blood transfusions due to his hemoglobin levels being super low.
So that’s the story-now here’s the treatment! Phil has started his chemotherapy and is in the middle of his first round of treatment of an aggressive R-EPOCH regiment that is administered for 24hours a day for 4-5 days. He will then have to do the same rigorous treatment a few weeks later with many outpatient clinic visits in between. (Depending on if they discharge him after treatment). After the second round, the plan is to do outpatient regiments every couple of weeks depending on progress.
As of now, Phil is AMAZING doctors! His levels are improving, his Bilirubin is dropping substantially, he’s beginning to eat, and he’s beginning to get his energy and spunk back with the help of PT. ! We are all so hopeful!
With all that being said, this page has been set up to help with medical costs for what we can only imagine will be substantial! Phil is a teacher for Cobb County School System, and while he does have insurance, he is looking at being out of work for quite some time. Lindsey is a teacher for Bartow County School System, and has recently been required to return to work where she commutes back and forth from Emory to Cartersville each day. With medical bills, plus the countless miles of driving back and forth to Emory (best care) for outpatient clinic treatments and chemo, the $$ number is surely adding up!
First and foremost, we ask for prayers for Phil, his girlfriend Lindsey, and their families that are involved in this difficult journey. The power of prayer has been amazing and moving through this experience. Secondly, our hope is to try and alleviate some of the financial burden that unfortunately follows patients after already going through a traumatic experience. Please feel free to give as much or as little as you can afford. At times like these, it really takes a village to lift one another up and carry them through the adversity.
We truly appreciate any contribution and we especially are grateful for the love, support, and prayers that you can say for Phil during this emotional and exhausting situation. The outpouring of love and prayers for Phil, Lindsey, and their families has already been making miracles happen!
#NasworthyStrong
#TurningATestIntoATestimony
Organizer
Ashley Lewis
Organizer
Cartersville, GA
