Care for Jim Johnson
Donation protected
On May 23rd, my dad was taken to Hopedale Hospital ER for back pain that radiated to his abdomen. After some tests, he was told he had some spots on his lungs and spine and needed a biopsy at a larger hospital and was sent home with pain medication.
Friday, May 24th, his pain was unmanageable and he was taken by ambulance to OSF St. Francis in Peoria, IL. Dad had surgery May 25th to remove a tennis ball size tumor that had completely disintegrated two of his vertebrae. The surgery was successful and the doctors sent the tumor for biopsy.
After ten long days, on June 4th, we were told the news that the tumor removed was cancerous. Dad has adenocarcinoma. We are unsure right now where it originated but likely from the lungs (they originally assumed upper GI tract). We are hopeful. We are full of faith. And we are ready for answers and to fight. Dad has completed 10 rounds of radiation that lasted three days. At the end of that, he received a PET scan to further look for the source of origination since the biopsy was inconclusive.
The PET scan did confirm that the cancer did not originate in the upper GI tract as they originally predicted. They have ordered a biopsy of one of the lung masses, however we're waiting for the scheduling of that and it will take 3 weeks for results.
In the meantime, Dad is to regain some strength. He has orders not to lose weight and to get the biopsy done so we can figure out the extent of management course.
At this point, Dad will not survive this cancer. It is fatal. However, we can extend his life, if he chooses, while keeping in mind quality of life. Cindy, his loving wife, will need to continue working as much as she can through this process. What that means, is that a certified caregiver will need to be with Dad, at home, while she is at work. PT and OT will also come to the house to work with him to keep his strength up.
This page was created to help Dad and Cindy pay for the care he's receiving at home since insurance does not cover home care. Having someone with him is absolutely necessary and the hospital will not keep him there as he is 'stable' for now.
We thank each and every one of you that feels led to donate to this fund. Thank You is not enough. I will update as we get more answers.
<3, Jess
Friday, May 24th, his pain was unmanageable and he was taken by ambulance to OSF St. Francis in Peoria, IL. Dad had surgery May 25th to remove a tennis ball size tumor that had completely disintegrated two of his vertebrae. The surgery was successful and the doctors sent the tumor for biopsy.
After ten long days, on June 4th, we were told the news that the tumor removed was cancerous. Dad has adenocarcinoma. We are unsure right now where it originated but likely from the lungs (they originally assumed upper GI tract). We are hopeful. We are full of faith. And we are ready for answers and to fight. Dad has completed 10 rounds of radiation that lasted three days. At the end of that, he received a PET scan to further look for the source of origination since the biopsy was inconclusive.
The PET scan did confirm that the cancer did not originate in the upper GI tract as they originally predicted. They have ordered a biopsy of one of the lung masses, however we're waiting for the scheduling of that and it will take 3 weeks for results.
In the meantime, Dad is to regain some strength. He has orders not to lose weight and to get the biopsy done so we can figure out the extent of management course.
At this point, Dad will not survive this cancer. It is fatal. However, we can extend his life, if he chooses, while keeping in mind quality of life. Cindy, his loving wife, will need to continue working as much as she can through this process. What that means, is that a certified caregiver will need to be with Dad, at home, while she is at work. PT and OT will also come to the house to work with him to keep his strength up.
This page was created to help Dad and Cindy pay for the care he's receiving at home since insurance does not cover home care. Having someone with him is absolutely necessary and the hospital will not keep him there as he is 'stable' for now.
We thank each and every one of you that feels led to donate to this fund. Thank You is not enough. I will update as we get more answers.
<3, Jess
Organizer
Jessica DeMuth
Organizer
Mount Horeb, WI