Emergency Surgery for a Chest wall (rib tumor).

Hi- my name is Jessica and as many of you know Brittany and Daniel are my best friends and have been my entire life. Recently they have had to undergo challenging obstacles that no one should have to face.

The word Cancer is scary. No one wants to hear that. Daniel has been experiencing a severe cough for weeks. He was diagnosed with Covid due to the persistence and then the flu. When this was over he was still coughing. The pain was unbearable so he went to the doctor. They did a chest X-ray and discovered a chest wall tumor. This tumor was located on his third rib. This was in a place his rib had previously been broken. He was immediately sent to a specialist at Vanderbilt. During these test they have discovered other cysts and growths in his body. However, this tumor was the largest and the one the doctors were most concerned with. Originally there was to be a biopsy but after reconsideration, they thought surgery would be the best course of treatment. The doctor was worried that the biopsy may “wake the beast” and activate the spread of any malignant fibers.

This surgery was invasive. They were to go through his back, deflate his lung, and remove a portion of his rib. However things rarely go as planned and they had to make changes while Daniel was under.

Daniel made it out of surgery. the surgery was supposed to be 3 hours. He went into surgery about 12 and he did not get into a room till 7 PM. It was a very long and stressful day.

They were unsuccessful going through his back so they had to make another incision on his side and go in that way. He also has a drainage tube because they had to remove some of the tissue and the chest lining. He is in an immense amount of pain.

The cost of the doctor visits, testing, trips to Vanderbilt, and now this surgery have been astronomical.

Daniel is the sole provider for their family and right now he won’t be able to return to work until cleared by the doctor. We also are unsure of next steps if his tumor come back malignant.

My extended family needs prayers and help. If you can give anything at all- everything helps.

I will also be setting up a meal train for when Daniel gets home from the hospital.

Please help me lift this family up and help them. Thank you!!