Family of Jim Schutt

Hi, My name is Dacy and I am fundraising for Jim Schutt and his family.

Jim was diagnosed with Stage 4a Esophageal Cancer early in 2023. Despite going to the doctor semi-annually for over a decade, the cancer was on the verge of breaking through the esophageal wall. The growth was blocking over 40% of his esophagus. The tests and consultations began. Treatment began at the beginning of May with chemo and radiation. This continued until the mass was at a size to be removed through an esophagectomy at MUSC. The esophagectomy was performed in late July, removing 2/3 of the esophagus, using the stomach lining to form the new portion of the esophagus. This major, invasive surgery is a life changing procedure, where Jim will never be able to lie flat again. This meant purchasing a specialized bed to ensure the 30-degree angle while sleeping. During this time, he was unable to work due to the intense treatments and surgery. The surgery was a success. After a week in the hospital, he was able to go home on a feeding tube until he healed and able to eat on his own. We thought he was on his way to recovery. He had hoped to return to work after the 4-6 week recovery period.

However, a week after being home, Jim got the call that a tumor in the lymph node in his neck just below his jawbone is now showing up as cancerous, solidifying the Stage 4 diagnosis. So without a chance to heal fully from surgery, he now had to go back and forth to MUSC for more tests and consultations for a new surgery. The tumor had grown significantly and quickly in just weeks. After the multiple biopsies, it was determined that the mass had now grown too large to be removed via surgery. Jim is now starting a new round of double chemo (chemo pills plus chemo IV treatments) and radiation for 2 months. Then hopefully, they will be able to remove the mass in November/December. It will be a complicated surgery as it has grown near the jugular vein, and a lot of facial nerves could be affected by the surgery. Then there will again be a recovery period. He will then be put on immunotherapy once a month for a year.

This new round of chemo and radiation has already made Jim too sick to even drive himself to his daily appointments. The chemo is causing peripheral neuropathy in his hands and mouth. He lost over 15 pounds in just 2 weeks. The radiation will soon cause sores in the mouth, making it difficult to eat. He has now returned to the feeding tube for most of his feedings. So any hopes of him working during the treatment phase are out the window.

His wife Rachelle works 2 jobs, but has to take off of work each day for the appointments. Local appointments do not require much time off of work. However, the MUSC appointments require a full day off each time. Jim has not been able to work since beginning of May, and will not be able to work again until at least mid January, after treatments and the recovery period after the next surgery. The medical food, equipment rental, new bed for lifetime 30-degree angling, and income loss are all factors that have created a great financial strain. They have used their 401k savings to cover bills until now. If it had not been for the new tumor, it may have been financially recoverable. This new setback is a devastating blow to the family now that the funds are almost completely depleted.

I have know the Schutt Family since our sons were in preschool together. They grew up together in Scouts, and have graduated high school this year. I remember it was very important for Jim to be at their graduation, and he was. The Schutts have always volunteered their time and helped others. They are wonderful people, and I truly hope Jim heals as soon as possible, and that they receive the help they need and deserve to pay their medical bills.