Support for the Israels
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In May of 2017 Keith was having back flare-ups. Everyone thought it was sciatica. He had three separate emergency visits. On the third emergency visit they did an MRI and saw the lesions on his bones. The lesions were on his spine, ribs, sternum, and hips. Doctors thought it was Multiple Myeloma. Keith and Tiffany spent a week at Wake Med, but doctors did not have an answer. They were referred to their Oncologist, Dr. Ramalingam, at Duke. There, Keith underwent three bone biopsies, several MRIs and CT scans to confirm that it was Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.
Keith had a pain spike in July, which prompted a dose of radiation and the beginning of chemotherapy treatments. He received a port, but the port became infected at the end of August/beginning of September. This sent him into borderline septic shock and he was in ICU for a week. Two weeks after that he had a pilonidal cyst and remained in the hospital for another two weeks. He wore a Wound VAC until December of 2017.
He has a collapsed vertebrae due to the cancer eating the bone. This is similar to a cavity in a tooth. He has had several pain spikes which has required him to be in the hospital for days at a time. He is not able to work due to the limitations with his back. He has gone through two cycles of Chemotherapy. One cycle was 12 months. The other cycle was 7 months.
In January, his leg was swollen and doctors realized he had a blood clot from his ankle all the way to his groin and a bilateral blood clot in his lungs. He was in the hospital for 3 days and put on blood thinners.
He is now seeing Dr. Horowitz at Duke Adult Bone Marrow Center in Durham. They believe that if Keith has a stem cell transplant that he will be cured of his cancer. The Langerhans Cell is part of the white blood cell, which is in the immune system. They will give him a high dose of chemotherapy and completely wipe out his immune system. His brother is a partial match and they will take his bone marrow and give it to Keith. Within 14 to 21 days, Keith will start to produce a new immune from his brother's bone marrow.
This will require the Israels to rent an apartment in Durham for 3 months, which is $3,500 a month, including all utilities. They will also have to continue paying the mortgage and utilities in their home. Tiffany will be out of work for one month and will then work a modified schedule. After that, they will have assistance from family and friends, but Keith has to be very careful of who is around due to him having a weakened immune system. After Keith's recovery, he will then have back surgery to stabilize his vertebrae.
They will need supplies such as: Clorox wipes, disposable utensils, gloves, hand sanitizer, and various things to keep the apartment sterile and as clean as possible. Tiffany will also need to purchase gas and groceries on a modified budget.
We all know how strong Keith and Tiffany have been throughout this time. They have to stay positive! Keith's Facebook videos are a daily inspiration and so are the encouraging words from everyone. They have faith that God can do anything! They are continuing to pray and trust Him.
As their friends and family, this is our time to rally around them and support in any way we can. We all have a story that includes when Keith and Tiffany were there for us. Now, it's our turn!
Keith had a pain spike in July, which prompted a dose of radiation and the beginning of chemotherapy treatments. He received a port, but the port became infected at the end of August/beginning of September. This sent him into borderline septic shock and he was in ICU for a week. Two weeks after that he had a pilonidal cyst and remained in the hospital for another two weeks. He wore a Wound VAC until December of 2017.
He has a collapsed vertebrae due to the cancer eating the bone. This is similar to a cavity in a tooth. He has had several pain spikes which has required him to be in the hospital for days at a time. He is not able to work due to the limitations with his back. He has gone through two cycles of Chemotherapy. One cycle was 12 months. The other cycle was 7 months.
In January, his leg was swollen and doctors realized he had a blood clot from his ankle all the way to his groin and a bilateral blood clot in his lungs. He was in the hospital for 3 days and put on blood thinners.
He is now seeing Dr. Horowitz at Duke Adult Bone Marrow Center in Durham. They believe that if Keith has a stem cell transplant that he will be cured of his cancer. The Langerhans Cell is part of the white blood cell, which is in the immune system. They will give him a high dose of chemotherapy and completely wipe out his immune system. His brother is a partial match and they will take his bone marrow and give it to Keith. Within 14 to 21 days, Keith will start to produce a new immune from his brother's bone marrow.
This will require the Israels to rent an apartment in Durham for 3 months, which is $3,500 a month, including all utilities. They will also have to continue paying the mortgage and utilities in their home. Tiffany will be out of work for one month and will then work a modified schedule. After that, they will have assistance from family and friends, but Keith has to be very careful of who is around due to him having a weakened immune system. After Keith's recovery, he will then have back surgery to stabilize his vertebrae.
They will need supplies such as: Clorox wipes, disposable utensils, gloves, hand sanitizer, and various things to keep the apartment sterile and as clean as possible. Tiffany will also need to purchase gas and groceries on a modified budget.
We all know how strong Keith and Tiffany have been throughout this time. They have to stay positive! Keith's Facebook videos are a daily inspiration and so are the encouraging words from everyone. They have faith that God can do anything! They are continuing to pray and trust Him.
As their friends and family, this is our time to rally around them and support in any way we can. We all have a story that includes when Keith and Tiffany were there for us. Now, it's our turn!
Organizer and beneficiary
Megan Kornegay
Organizer
Clayton, NC
Tiffany Israel
Beneficiary
