Sam Kohnke's battle against cancer
Donation protected
In July, everyone thought Sam Kohnke had an infection, treatable by antibiotics. But it wasn’t an infection; Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a random cancer, caused his swollen lymph nodes. Battling cancer is now what Sam and those who love him do every minute of every day.
The good news is that Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has about an 85% cure rate. Sam is getting chemo every two weeks until December, and then 17 days of radiation, probably just after Christmas. It’s been physically and mentally draining. The bad news is that the likelihood of reoccurring cancer is statistically scary because the treatment itself is so toxic that it supports other cancer growth.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is rare. There aren’t many cases in Milwaukee, so local physicians don’t have much experience. Because of this Sam has been going to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where there’s a whole medical center wing devoted to it. They pioneer treatment for younger cancer patients, with an emphasis on minimizing toxicity. For instance, in Milwaukee radiation would have a larger footprint and would touch the top of his lung; at MD Anderson, their technology would minimize the footprint, and not touch his lung. MD Anderson has been great, but expensive. Plane fares, hotels and multiple trips to Houston including the upcoming four-week stay for radiation. Sam is also hoping he won’t be alone, so the family is trying to shuttle down to be with him.
Health insurance covers a lot, but the expenses are well beyond the family’s $10,000 a year deductibles. As Sam has been sharing the news, so many of you have asked if you could help. The chip-in would go towards Houston expenses, and if there’s any left, offsetting co-pays and deductibles. Many thanks to you all.
The good news is that Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has about an 85% cure rate. Sam is getting chemo every two weeks until December, and then 17 days of radiation, probably just after Christmas. It’s been physically and mentally draining. The bad news is that the likelihood of reoccurring cancer is statistically scary because the treatment itself is so toxic that it supports other cancer growth.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is rare. There aren’t many cases in Milwaukee, so local physicians don’t have much experience. Because of this Sam has been going to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where there’s a whole medical center wing devoted to it. They pioneer treatment for younger cancer patients, with an emphasis on minimizing toxicity. For instance, in Milwaukee radiation would have a larger footprint and would touch the top of his lung; at MD Anderson, their technology would minimize the footprint, and not touch his lung. MD Anderson has been great, but expensive. Plane fares, hotels and multiple trips to Houston including the upcoming four-week stay for radiation. Sam is also hoping he won’t be alone, so the family is trying to shuttle down to be with him.
Health insurance covers a lot, but the expenses are well beyond the family’s $10,000 a year deductibles. As Sam has been sharing the news, so many of you have asked if you could help. The chip-in would go towards Houston expenses, and if there’s any left, offsetting co-pays and deductibles. Many thanks to you all.
Organizer
Joyce O'Brien
Organizer
Milwaukee, WI