Dave Yoakum's Stage 4 Colon & Liver Cancer Journey
Donation protected
This fund is to help the Yoakum family throughout my cancer journey. Here’s the backstory:
On November 6th, I went to the ER with what I thought was pain from a kidney stone. After an abnormal CT scan, I was informed they found a tumor in my colon that has spread to my liver. A few days later I got a colonoscopy to confirm that I do indeed have stage IV colon cancer that has metastasized to the liver. I met with a gastrointestinal surgeon about performing a right hemicolectomy, which would remove the right portion of the colon, along with the tumor, and the appendix.
That very night of meeting with the surgeon, things took a turn for the worse. The tumor’s growth had made the appendix implode back into the colon and the toxic pus found its way into my body (abdominal wall) through a laceration in the colon. I can’t describe that level of pain.
After a trip to the local ER to get some antibiotics, I was rushed off to my newly formed medical team at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. They decided to proceed with an emergent right hemicolectomy. That night I went under the knife. I woke up with a 9” incision from my waist up and 26 staples. Recovery has been a slow process.
On Dec. 8th, we met with the oncologist. Long story short, my cancer has spread to the outer portion of my lungs and abdominal wall lining. He put together a very aggressive chemo plan, even including a 48 hour take home constant injection. The chemo is scheduled to last 4 months.
If my body responds well to the chemo, optimistically, I’m looking at a 2-3 year life expectancy.
On November 6th, I went to the ER with what I thought was pain from a kidney stone. After an abnormal CT scan, I was informed they found a tumor in my colon that has spread to my liver. A few days later I got a colonoscopy to confirm that I do indeed have stage IV colon cancer that has metastasized to the liver. I met with a gastrointestinal surgeon about performing a right hemicolectomy, which would remove the right portion of the colon, along with the tumor, and the appendix.
That very night of meeting with the surgeon, things took a turn for the worse. The tumor’s growth had made the appendix implode back into the colon and the toxic pus found its way into my body (abdominal wall) through a laceration in the colon. I can’t describe that level of pain.
After a trip to the local ER to get some antibiotics, I was rushed off to my newly formed medical team at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. They decided to proceed with an emergent right hemicolectomy. That night I went under the knife. I woke up with a 9” incision from my waist up and 26 staples. Recovery has been a slow process.
On Dec. 8th, we met with the oncologist. Long story short, my cancer has spread to the outer portion of my lungs and abdominal wall lining. He put together a very aggressive chemo plan, even including a 48 hour take home constant injection. The chemo is scheduled to last 4 months.
If my body responds well to the chemo, optimistically, I’m looking at a 2-3 year life expectancy.
Fundraising team (2)
Dave Yoakum
Organizer
Ashburn, VA
Gina Yoakum
Team member