Fundraiser for Jeffrey Reiter and Family ❤️‍

In March of 2021, Jeff was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis. Over one and a half years have passed since his initial diagnosis and their need for prayers and financial support are critical.

Following his diagnosis Jeff had to leave his union construction job and recently Christina had to take unpaid leave from work to support and care for him. This Go Fund Me Account will provide financial support to Jeff and Christina to pay medical expenses and monthly bills.

Jeffrey’s Story:

The family planned a vacation to Cocoa Beach, Florida in the spring of 2021. Prior to vacation Jeff was having a slight pain in his abdomen and attempted to see a doctor; due to unforeseen wait times; however, Jeff was not able to get an appointment with a doctor.

Shortly into their vacation the pain in Jeff’s abdomen became unbearable and they went to an Emergency Room in Florida. Tests revealed fluid in his abdomen and doctors advised that he follow-up with his primary care physician following their trip. Two days later the pain worsened, and Jeff’s abdomen was significantly swollen. They spent half a day at Cape Canaveral Hospital undergoing various tests, results indicating that that Jeff had some sort of cancer in his abdomen and the fluid buildup in his abdomen was a symptom. The doctor advised Jeff to follow-up with a doctor immediately.

This news was shocking. Despite pain and symptoms neither Jeff nor Christina expected this news and certainly not while on family vacation with Kaila.

After traveling home, Jeff immediately went to a primary doctor who set up a multitude of tests and referrals to oncologists and gastrointestinal specialists.

They met with a specialist in colon cancer at the Mayo Clinic, which proved to be overwhelming as the doctor would not perform surgical procedures and did not offer alternative care options. Wanting a second opinion they met with an oncologist at Regions Hospital Cancer Care Clinic, which provided a path forward and more positive outlook. Jeff’s care team at Region’s prescribed FolFox Chemotherapy as an initial treatment. Jeff began chemo soon as possible and results were good, his cancer started to shrink, and he started to feel better.

Following several rounds of chemo, Christina began to research Minnesota surgeons able to perform a debulking surgery with the goal of removing as much cancer as possible from his body. Christina located a surgical team at the University of MN that on October 5, 2021, performed a nearly 6-hour surgery to remove the cancer. Initial surgical results were promising, as Jeff healed quickly and started to feel better. However, a few months later symptoms returned. A scan concluded that the cancer was back.

Since his surgery Jeff has experienced daily ups and downs. He as struggled with extreme pain, nausea, and bowl obstructions which resulted in over 15 visits to the emergency room between January and August of 2022. Limiting and changing his diet were no longer sufficient as Jeff’s weight continued to dramatically decrease. Doctors placed a tube in his stomach to allow fluids to drain and in his intestine to provide nutrition.

In September 2022 Jeff has been dealing with an obstruction due to Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMA) which caused his upper intestine to distend. Currently, doctors are trying to get tube feeding to work, but it is unclear at this point if they will be successful. If not, Jeff will have to move to Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPM), which is IV-provided nutrition.

Jeff’s journey and this season of life has not been easy of Jeff, Christina, or Kaila. There have been setbacks and successes and through it all Jeff, Christina, and their families have remained hopeful and positive.

Please consider making a financial donation as one method of support for their family.

Sincerely,

Andrea Steiskal (Christina’s sister)