Support Philip's Cancer Treatment
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A couple of weeks ago, our dear friend Philip was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. I’ve shared his story in his own words below.
Philip is fighting his disease with strength, a positive attitude, and an open mind trying anything to save his life. He is an inspiration to us all.
Here in Nashville, we all know Philip as PHIL HIGHFILL. He has been a family friend to the Stanfield's for over 4 decades. I have known Phil to be a strong fighter, an extremely smart and loving gentleman, and a man who brings life to a room of friends and family.
He is facing many challenges at this time in that the alternative treatments that complement the effectiveness of the chemo are very expensive and not covered by insurance. He will spend between 4-6K per month on his care expenses that included invasive tests and medications. These expenses will have to be out of pocket and unfortunately he is unable to work due to his cancer.
Let’s help Phil have the means to fight this disease. Let’s help Phil access care that insurance companies won’t pay for. Let's help Phil fight this disease with a compassionate and giving heart.
This is Phil's story in his own words........
Back in October, I moved from the Low Country to Asheville to be closer to my Mom and family and help out wherever I could, due to my Mom’s health and age. During the move, my lower back began hurting, but thought nothing of it, dismissing the pain to lifting a box that was too heavy. From October to the end of the year, the pain remained, and I thought the stress and anxiety levels I had were from making a major move, and helping an aging parent. All of the symptoms I had are natural to anyone who makes major life changes. I did nothing about it, and in January, I began losing my appetite (again, I thought, due to my anxiety and stress).
On January 7th, as I was leaving my Mom’s facility, a nurse stopped me in the hall and asked if my back was alright, since she had noticed me rubbing my lower back the last few visits. She recommended me going to the ER so they could diagnose whether it was a slipped or pinched disc, and provide a contact to help with a solution.
After getting a good read from my EKG, they also did a Cat Scan. An hour later, the ER physician came to my room and said they needed to admit me immediately. She told me there was no easy way to tell me what the results were from the tests, and indicated they found a mass in my pelvis, and that mass had metastasized to my liver and lower lobes of my lungs. I was in shock.
I remained in the hospital for a week while they did MRIs, more Cat Scans, bloodwork, and biopsies.
My last day, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer, and the areas involved were my bone (S1), Pelvis, Liver, Intra-abdominal lymph nodes, spinal cord, and both Lungs / Pleura.
Due to the aggressiveness of this cancer, they needed to build an immediate course of action, including 15 cycles of radiation (daily), and 12 2-week cycles of chemotherapy. My oncologist is a forward-thinker, looking at solutions outside of traditional medicine, and recommended Immunotherapy, as well, to be introduced after my 4th or 5th chemo cycle. She is also wanting to use Xgeva for my bone cancer, and is also exploring naturopathic remedies that will compliment the other chemo strategies.
The chemotherapy is back-to-back, so the next 24 weeks will be critical in seeing what is working and what needs to be tweaked.
I am now 100% focused on my healing. I am exercising to the best of my ability, reading and immersing myself in healing, spirituality, radically changing my diet and of the utmost importance, spending time with my cats – Aesop and Artemis – and close friends and family. My roommate from Boston (3 decades ago) is going to stay with me for my first 12 cycles of chemotherapy, and I couldn’t be more blessed.
I’ve also signed up at the Cancer Center as a volunteer to play the piano whenever my physical strength will allow. My oncologist said that the best healing / medicine I have right now is to play the piano daily- the best therapy in the world for me.
I am right where I am supposed to be and this is just part of my journey. I have a wonderful life and so much to be grateful for. My friendships, my family and my extended families mean the world to me, and they continue to encourage my positive, optimistic attitude and spiritual growth and strength.
--
Philip Highfill
Asheville, North Carolina
615-364-8257
Philip is fighting his disease with strength, a positive attitude, and an open mind trying anything to save his life. He is an inspiration to us all.
Here in Nashville, we all know Philip as PHIL HIGHFILL. He has been a family friend to the Stanfield's for over 4 decades. I have known Phil to be a strong fighter, an extremely smart and loving gentleman, and a man who brings life to a room of friends and family.
He is facing many challenges at this time in that the alternative treatments that complement the effectiveness of the chemo are very expensive and not covered by insurance. He will spend between 4-6K per month on his care expenses that included invasive tests and medications. These expenses will have to be out of pocket and unfortunately he is unable to work due to his cancer.
Let’s help Phil have the means to fight this disease. Let’s help Phil access care that insurance companies won’t pay for. Let's help Phil fight this disease with a compassionate and giving heart.
This is Phil's story in his own words........
Back in October, I moved from the Low Country to Asheville to be closer to my Mom and family and help out wherever I could, due to my Mom’s health and age. During the move, my lower back began hurting, but thought nothing of it, dismissing the pain to lifting a box that was too heavy. From October to the end of the year, the pain remained, and I thought the stress and anxiety levels I had were from making a major move, and helping an aging parent. All of the symptoms I had are natural to anyone who makes major life changes. I did nothing about it, and in January, I began losing my appetite (again, I thought, due to my anxiety and stress).
On January 7th, as I was leaving my Mom’s facility, a nurse stopped me in the hall and asked if my back was alright, since she had noticed me rubbing my lower back the last few visits. She recommended me going to the ER so they could diagnose whether it was a slipped or pinched disc, and provide a contact to help with a solution.
After getting a good read from my EKG, they also did a Cat Scan. An hour later, the ER physician came to my room and said they needed to admit me immediately. She told me there was no easy way to tell me what the results were from the tests, and indicated they found a mass in my pelvis, and that mass had metastasized to my liver and lower lobes of my lungs. I was in shock.
I remained in the hospital for a week while they did MRIs, more Cat Scans, bloodwork, and biopsies.
My last day, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer, and the areas involved were my bone (S1), Pelvis, Liver, Intra-abdominal lymph nodes, spinal cord, and both Lungs / Pleura.
Due to the aggressiveness of this cancer, they needed to build an immediate course of action, including 15 cycles of radiation (daily), and 12 2-week cycles of chemotherapy. My oncologist is a forward-thinker, looking at solutions outside of traditional medicine, and recommended Immunotherapy, as well, to be introduced after my 4th or 5th chemo cycle. She is also wanting to use Xgeva for my bone cancer, and is also exploring naturopathic remedies that will compliment the other chemo strategies.
The chemotherapy is back-to-back, so the next 24 weeks will be critical in seeing what is working and what needs to be tweaked.
I am now 100% focused on my healing. I am exercising to the best of my ability, reading and immersing myself in healing, spirituality, radically changing my diet and of the utmost importance, spending time with my cats – Aesop and Artemis – and close friends and family. My roommate from Boston (3 decades ago) is going to stay with me for my first 12 cycles of chemotherapy, and I couldn’t be more blessed.
I’ve also signed up at the Cancer Center as a volunteer to play the piano whenever my physical strength will allow. My oncologist said that the best healing / medicine I have right now is to play the piano daily- the best therapy in the world for me.
I am right where I am supposed to be and this is just part of my journey. I have a wonderful life and so much to be grateful for. My friendships, my family and my extended families mean the world to me, and they continue to encourage my positive, optimistic attitude and spiritual growth and strength.
--
Philip Highfill
Asheville, North Carolina
615-364-8257
Organizer and beneficiary
Beth Stanfield Watts
Organizer
Brentwood, TN
Philip Highfill
Beneficiary
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