Ray Bower

After falling on the ice this winter, Ray went in for a head CT to rule out any bleeding on the brain. The CT instead revealed that he had a tumor growing on his cerebellum. Further testing indicated that Ray has non-small lung cancer that has spread to the brain. After an undiscovered reaction to heparin that caused a drastic loss of platelets, Ray's brain surgery was cancelled and the brain was irradiated in an effort to act as quickly as possible. The radiation went well but platelets continued to drop and soon caused a clot to develop in his leg. The doctors eventually realized he has a rare condition (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia). He then went on medication to help resolve the clot. This new medication then irritated small bleeds in his GI tract that led to severe swelling and fatigue in his lower body. Ray was again hospitalized and was preparing for a lung biopsy when the IV placed at the hospital seemed to start a staph infection. The infection progressed for multiple days before he was placed on antibiotics and had his right arm drained from his knuckles to his elbow. Ray is currently recovering from his infection and rebuilding his strength at Muncy Hospital. His lung biopsy revealed that he is a candidate for both immune therapy and targeted therapy. His immune system, however, is currently compromised as he fights the infection. The targeted therapy is only effective on a small patient population with lung cancer but his biopsy shows he falls into this category!

Ray and our family are doing everything we can to get him healthy again. We appreciate any prayers and support you can offer in this time of need. He loves hearing from his friends and family and especially loves visits.

Any help you can offer through donations will help fund his co-pay of $2,500 per month for the targeted therapy medication to treat his lung cancer. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and donations. Ray means the world to us and so does your support.