Care for Carlos Jr's battle with Heart Cancer

In April of 2022, our son Carlos Rickman Jr. was hit with a shocking and unexpected diagnosis: Heart Cancer. His cardiac angiosarcoma was discovered after a surprise visit to the emergency room due to congestive heart failure. At age 28, he was suddenly fighting for his life against a cancer that is so rare, that it is only diagnosed in 15 people per year worldwide.

Carlos spent nearly an entire year on different types of chemo, one of which required in-patient hospital stays for a week at a time, every three weeks. This infamous "red devil" chemo dropped Carlos' immune system to nothing. Every round of chemo seemed to bring on new side effects: nausea, mouth sores, infections, nose bleeds, migraines and more. Chemo made him immunocompromised and too sick to attend a planned Dallas Mavericks (his favorite team) game with his family.

In March 2023, Carlos had open heart surgery, at Houston Methodist, to remove the tumor from his heart. Our son was nervous leading up to the surgery, but when the day came, he had a peaceful and calm bravery that surprised everyone, including himself. His family gathered, waited, prayed, and worried for the entire day. We all celebrated when we received the good news that he had come through the surgery better than expected! The surgeons got great margins and Carlos was up and walking and out of the hospital sooner than the doctors expected.

Carlos received more chemo over the summer, even while recovering from surgery. Everyone in our family rejoiced when he received the news that one of his scans showed "no evidence of disease". Exhausted and relieved, Carlos was proud to ring the bell, signifying his last chemo treatment. This was September 2023.

However, at the end of November 2023 Carlos received the devastating news that the heart cancer has returned.

Carlos and Josephine Rickman need your help to get them though this next stage in his fight.

Carlos worked as the Communication Director for his home church. He loved his job and the church was incredibly supportive when Carlos needed time and accommodations through all of his treatments and surgery. He worked though some of his worst side effects, and at times, even when he was too sick to take care of himself.

With the news that he would be going through in-patient chemo and the intense side effects again (which can have cumulative effects and get worse over time), Carlos and Josephine made the difficult decision to resign from his position with the church, so that he could focus completely on healing.

Although Carlos will still work part time at the church as he can, the resignation from his position as communication director, means that they have lost the majority of his income.

The $25,000 in fundraising goal, represents one year of his lost wages, plus an additional amount to help cover the out of pocket medical cost. Every contribution, no matter the size, is a blessing. Your generosity will help alleviate the majority of the financial burden that our son and his wife bear, as they fight this ferocious enemy.

Carlos, Josephine and the family are incredibly grateful for all of the support they have been given thus far. They can't forget the beautiful chemo blanket (picture above) that Carlos's mother-in-law, crocheted for him. :)

For those who cannot help financially, but still want to contribute to Carlos's recovery, they can: