Jeff and Celine Ducote Fundraiser
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I am starting this fundraiser for my godchild, Celine Ducote and her father Jeff Ducote who have both been diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN-1) a rare genetic disorder causing multiple cancerous tumors throughout the body. The funds raised will help pay for surgeries, doctors appointments, Jeff's present chemotherapy, and hospital bills already coming in. Anything that you can give would be a tremendous help to them as Jeff's employer will be letting him go at the end of the month resulting in a loss of insurance and income.
In August 2018 a "nodule" was discovered on Jeff's adrenal gland and a "cyst" was discovered on his pancreas. Jeff and his wife Claire were told by doctors at the time not to worry, however, in December 2018 another scan revealed that the "nodule " on his adrenal gland had grown 5X in size since the previous imaging. In January of 2019, Jeff had an operation to have his left adrenal gland removed. A week later, they were told that the tumor was a sarcoma. On Valentine's Day 2019, they met with an Oncologist, and after hearing Jeff's medical history, the doctor began to suspect whatever was on his pancreas was part of a larger problem: a genetic mutation known as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, type 1 (MEN-1). Genetic testing confirmed this theory. Two weeks later, their daughter and my godchild Celine, who had spent a week in the hospital and underwent major surgery, also tested positive for the mutation. Meanwhile, several pathology labs around the country were trying to determine exactly what kind of sarcoma the adrenal gland tumor was. The general consensus was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). Six weeks of radiation treatment began in March.
A biopsy of his pancreas indicated Jeff had a neuroendocrine tumor, consistent with the MEN-1 diagnosis. Jeff, Claire, And Celine traveled to MD Anderson Cancer Center in May. Celine was further diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism, which Jeff had also been diagnosed with eight years ago. Jeff was referred to a surgeon at MD Anderson, and two weeks later, he had half of his pancreas and his whole spleen removed.
The plan was for Jeff to return to work in August. Two surgeries and six weeks of radiation had kept him from his offshore oil field job all year. The family returned to MD Anderson at the end of July for his work release follow-up. The CT scan showed new tumors- the sarcoma had metastasized in both lungs. A PET scan, an MRI, an appointment with a sarcoma specialist, and a lung biopsy later, they were back home in Pensacola waiting for chemotherapy which began on September 6th.
On top of everything else, the company that Jeff has worked for for the past ten years announced that they are terminating his employment and health benefits on September 29th , 2019- the day before Jeff and Celine have follow-up appointments, tests, and scans scheduled at MD Anderson.
Jeff, Claire, and Celine are forever grateful for the tremendous amount of love, prayer, and support they have been blessed with over the past year. Hopefully this Go Fund Me for them will provide some relief from the mounting hospital bills, doctor bills, and other expenses that were covered by Jeff's employment and insurance.
Please help and please Share! Thank you!
In August 2018 a "nodule" was discovered on Jeff's adrenal gland and a "cyst" was discovered on his pancreas. Jeff and his wife Claire were told by doctors at the time not to worry, however, in December 2018 another scan revealed that the "nodule " on his adrenal gland had grown 5X in size since the previous imaging. In January of 2019, Jeff had an operation to have his left adrenal gland removed. A week later, they were told that the tumor was a sarcoma. On Valentine's Day 2019, they met with an Oncologist, and after hearing Jeff's medical history, the doctor began to suspect whatever was on his pancreas was part of a larger problem: a genetic mutation known as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, type 1 (MEN-1). Genetic testing confirmed this theory. Two weeks later, their daughter and my godchild Celine, who had spent a week in the hospital and underwent major surgery, also tested positive for the mutation. Meanwhile, several pathology labs around the country were trying to determine exactly what kind of sarcoma the adrenal gland tumor was. The general consensus was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). Six weeks of radiation treatment began in March.
A biopsy of his pancreas indicated Jeff had a neuroendocrine tumor, consistent with the MEN-1 diagnosis. Jeff, Claire, And Celine traveled to MD Anderson Cancer Center in May. Celine was further diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism, which Jeff had also been diagnosed with eight years ago. Jeff was referred to a surgeon at MD Anderson, and two weeks later, he had half of his pancreas and his whole spleen removed.
The plan was for Jeff to return to work in August. Two surgeries and six weeks of radiation had kept him from his offshore oil field job all year. The family returned to MD Anderson at the end of July for his work release follow-up. The CT scan showed new tumors- the sarcoma had metastasized in both lungs. A PET scan, an MRI, an appointment with a sarcoma specialist, and a lung biopsy later, they were back home in Pensacola waiting for chemotherapy which began on September 6th.
On top of everything else, the company that Jeff has worked for for the past ten years announced that they are terminating his employment and health benefits on September 29th , 2019- the day before Jeff and Celine have follow-up appointments, tests, and scans scheduled at MD Anderson.
Jeff, Claire, and Celine are forever grateful for the tremendous amount of love, prayer, and support they have been blessed with over the past year. Hopefully this Go Fund Me for them will provide some relief from the mounting hospital bills, doctor bills, and other expenses that were covered by Jeff's employment and insurance.
Please help and please Share! Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Amy Fiore
Organizer
Metairie, LA
Claire Ducote
Beneficiary