Joe’s Battle with Cancer
Donation protected
Most people are unaware but Joe went to the ER in mid February with chest issues. They did scan after scan and found out he has pericarditis (a inflammation around the lining of his heart) this he has been treated for and has passed. He is also fighting with SVT (rapid heart rate) and has been in the ER again with a heart rate of 214, this he is also being treated for.
But one of the scans from the first ER visit showed he had a mass on his back. After he went and got a biopsy done of the mass we waited a week for the results (being passed around and double checked) we were then informed he has a low level soft tissue sarcoma. Sarcomas are only 1% of the cancers you can get, they are pretty rare.
A week later we seen the first oncologist and was immediately referred to Siteman to see a specialist and a surgeon. He then had to have 3 MRIs done and another CT scan to make sure this hasn’t spread to his mid region.
Siteman appointment went great, the oncologist said he would have surgery to have it removed, no radiation or chemo was needed because since it was low level it will not react to it and they would just routinely check to make sure it hasn’t come back in years to come.
Fast forward a week and the Surgeon appointment didn’t go as we had anticipated and this is way more invasive than we had thought. They have to move a section of his ribs and then cut off the two vertebrae and screw it all back together. He will be in the hospital for 4 days at Barnes and off work for 6 weeks and will not be able to do any heavy lifting, climbing or twisting for a year.
Since he is an electrician this is going to affect him more than we ever thought. The medicals bills from testing have already came piling in and with the unknown of if he will be able to work anytime soon. I am not the type of person to ask for help, this makes me sick to my stomach, but at this time I have no other choice. the Surgery is scheduled for May 7th at this time which gives us 3 weeks to financially prepare for this.
Any donations are GREATLY appreciated
And again any donations outside of this are appreciated also.
Thank you so much
Amanda Carney
But one of the scans from the first ER visit showed he had a mass on his back. After he went and got a biopsy done of the mass we waited a week for the results (being passed around and double checked) we were then informed he has a low level soft tissue sarcoma. Sarcomas are only 1% of the cancers you can get, they are pretty rare.
A week later we seen the first oncologist and was immediately referred to Siteman to see a specialist and a surgeon. He then had to have 3 MRIs done and another CT scan to make sure this hasn’t spread to his mid region.
Siteman appointment went great, the oncologist said he would have surgery to have it removed, no radiation or chemo was needed because since it was low level it will not react to it and they would just routinely check to make sure it hasn’t come back in years to come.
Fast forward a week and the Surgeon appointment didn’t go as we had anticipated and this is way more invasive than we had thought. They have to move a section of his ribs and then cut off the two vertebrae and screw it all back together. He will be in the hospital for 4 days at Barnes and off work for 6 weeks and will not be able to do any heavy lifting, climbing or twisting for a year.
Since he is an electrician this is going to affect him more than we ever thought. The medicals bills from testing have already came piling in and with the unknown of if he will be able to work anytime soon. I am not the type of person to ask for help, this makes me sick to my stomach, but at this time I have no other choice. the Surgery is scheduled for May 7th at this time which gives us 3 weeks to financially prepare for this.
Any donations are GREATLY appreciated
And again any donations outside of this are appreciated also.
Thank you so much
Amanda Carney
Fundraising team (2)
Amanda Carney
Organizer
Glen Carbon, IL
Angela Burns
Team member
