Help Kyle Hames Fight Brain Cancer

On December 2nd, 2021 Kyle had a grand mal seizure at home and was rushed to the hospital via ambulance. During that hospital stay it was discovered that he had a sizable brain mass in the area of his right temporal lobe. After he was extubated and off the ventilator it became clear that he thankfully had no deficits and was able to be discharged home after 6 days. He started on two medications to control his seizures though continued to have small, focal seizures daily.

Over the course of several weeks he had many meetings with doctors and a few MRI’s. The brain mass is thought to be a tumor called a glioma and initial MRI’s indicated that it is likely low grade and slow growing, though this is only confirmed with a biopsy. Because his seizures were mostly under control and he returned to work and a pretty normal daily life (other than the inability to drive and other seizure precautions). The plan was to “watch and wait” and have interval MRI’s to check for tumor changes.  With February came another MRI scan and this time it showed the tumor had grown some and another smaller area of concern was present in a different area of the brain. Then came the push to schedule surgery and send the tumor tissue for biopsy. His craniotomy (surgical opening into the skull) and tumor resection is at the U of MN on 3/15/22 and he will be under the care of two amazing neurosurgeons.

 

Kyle has a challenging journey ahead of him with recovery from surgery, and chemo and radiation following one month later. With all of that he is expected to be out of work for a minimum of 3 months and as some of you know he is self-employed which means there are no disability benefits or Leave of Absence (LOA) benefits. Additionally, Michele is not currently employed and will continue to be Kyle’s primary caregiver throughout this process. 

Undoubtedly their lives changed in an instant, and it has left them concerned about mounting medical bills. With Kyle out of work, they are worried about the medical debt they will find themselves in quickly, with hospital stays, surgeries, and medications. Funds will go towards ongoing medical expenses and bills, groceries, etc. during the time that they are without income.

Kyle is a Graphic Designer, who owns his own design company, Kyle Hames Design. He is married to Michele, and they have a daughter, Clara. The Hames family lives in Arden Hills, MN, and is surrounded by friends and family who love and support them. If you have met Kyle, you know what a caring, kind person he is, and can see how he means everything to his family. He is the dad who creates a hand-drawn maze for a car trip, or creates a grand costume complete with vehicle for Halloween. He is the husband who plans a weekend retreat for his wife for her 40th birthday, and organizes all of her close friends from all over to be part of the celebration. He is quick with a smile, and makes everything around him better.

If you are able to donate, it would mean the world to the Hames family. Even if you can't donate, please consider sharing this story with your friends. Thank you.