Steven's Cancer Treatment Fund
Donation protected
Many people know my brother Steve to be a funny, outgoing, creative and loving person. Whether you met him in Syracuse, Buffalo or New York City, Steve has remained the same – a guy who will go above and beyond for his family, friends, and even strangers.
In October, Beth Anne noticed a strange bump on the side of Steve’s face, next to his left ear. His doctor quickly recommended him to a head and neck specialist named Dr. Saurin Popat. The specialist had a couple of ideas but couldn’t confirm anything until an MRI and needle-biopsy were performed. Results showed a strange growth in Steve’s parotid gland, and a needle biopsy confirmed that the growth contained abnormal cells. These cells were potentially cancerous so Dr. Popat took over as the quarterback for surgery and all future treatment. Unfortunately, regardless of whatever it was it needed to be surgically removed, and it could not be diagnosed until it was out.
The surgery was scheduled for December 30th. The risk factors mounted; Some were high percentage risks and others were lower percentage.
When the 30th came, Steve, Beth Anne and both families met at Sisters Hospital in Buffalo. After 5 hours of surgery, Dr. Popat emerged from the operating room to talk to the family. The diagnosis was not what we had hoped. It turned out that the growth was a Stage 4 Muco Epidermoid Carcinoma. AKA, Stage 4 Parotid Cancer. The entire parotid gland was compromised and had to be removed. Also, the cancer had spread downward into some Lymph nodes. Luckily it looked like only one or two were impacted. For that reason, they ended up removing all 24 Lymph Nodes from Steve’s neck. To add to an already bad situation, the tumor had grown into the path of the main facial nerve, and some branches had to be completely sacrificed. There would be permanent damage, loss of function and loss of feeling to multiple parts of his face. His eyebrow, Eye lid, and cheek/ mouth function would never be the same again. In addition he had an 8 inch scar which went from his ear down to the middle of his neck. Due to the type and the aggressiveness of the cancer Steve’s would have to have a full round of Radiation treatment starting in about a month as a precautionary measure to ensure that it never comes back.
I anxiously awaited a call from my family, and finally it came. We were devastated to hear but knew we had to stay positive and pray for the best with Steve. The side effects were heartbreaking news for Steve but the number one concern was the next step – 3 rounds of Chemo and 30 Radiation treatments, starting in a few weeks.
Steve’s left eyebrow is now paralyzed, his eyelid can only partially blink now (and cannot move independently) and left half of his mouth no longer functions correctly. Smiling on the left side is no longer possible. Steve will of course still be able to lead a normal life but he will have to adapt to these new challenges.
As hard as this reality is, Steve refuses to feel sorry for himself and has already been quoted many times saying, “a lot of other people have it a lot worse than I do”.
Steve and Beth Anne are already facing a pile of medical bills from the operation and 5 days in the hospital. When 33 Chemo/Radiation treatments start next week, the pile of bills will grow quickly. Please help our family alleviate the stress of these bills, and help Steve resume a normal life.
In October, Beth Anne noticed a strange bump on the side of Steve’s face, next to his left ear. His doctor quickly recommended him to a head and neck specialist named Dr. Saurin Popat. The specialist had a couple of ideas but couldn’t confirm anything until an MRI and needle-biopsy were performed. Results showed a strange growth in Steve’s parotid gland, and a needle biopsy confirmed that the growth contained abnormal cells. These cells were potentially cancerous so Dr. Popat took over as the quarterback for surgery and all future treatment. Unfortunately, regardless of whatever it was it needed to be surgically removed, and it could not be diagnosed until it was out.
The surgery was scheduled for December 30th. The risk factors mounted; Some were high percentage risks and others were lower percentage.
When the 30th came, Steve, Beth Anne and both families met at Sisters Hospital in Buffalo. After 5 hours of surgery, Dr. Popat emerged from the operating room to talk to the family. The diagnosis was not what we had hoped. It turned out that the growth was a Stage 4 Muco Epidermoid Carcinoma. AKA, Stage 4 Parotid Cancer. The entire parotid gland was compromised and had to be removed. Also, the cancer had spread downward into some Lymph nodes. Luckily it looked like only one or two were impacted. For that reason, they ended up removing all 24 Lymph Nodes from Steve’s neck. To add to an already bad situation, the tumor had grown into the path of the main facial nerve, and some branches had to be completely sacrificed. There would be permanent damage, loss of function and loss of feeling to multiple parts of his face. His eyebrow, Eye lid, and cheek/ mouth function would never be the same again. In addition he had an 8 inch scar which went from his ear down to the middle of his neck. Due to the type and the aggressiveness of the cancer Steve’s would have to have a full round of Radiation treatment starting in about a month as a precautionary measure to ensure that it never comes back.
I anxiously awaited a call from my family, and finally it came. We were devastated to hear but knew we had to stay positive and pray for the best with Steve. The side effects were heartbreaking news for Steve but the number one concern was the next step – 3 rounds of Chemo and 30 Radiation treatments, starting in a few weeks.
Steve’s left eyebrow is now paralyzed, his eyelid can only partially blink now (and cannot move independently) and left half of his mouth no longer functions correctly. Smiling on the left side is no longer possible. Steve will of course still be able to lead a normal life but he will have to adapt to these new challenges.
As hard as this reality is, Steve refuses to feel sorry for himself and has already been quoted many times saying, “a lot of other people have it a lot worse than I do”.
Steve and Beth Anne are already facing a pile of medical bills from the operation and 5 days in the hospital. When 33 Chemo/Radiation treatments start next week, the pile of bills will grow quickly. Please help our family alleviate the stress of these bills, and help Steve resume a normal life.
Organizer and beneficiary
Mark Leonard
Organizer
Falls Church, VA
Steven Leonard
Beneficiary
