Joe’s Pursuit Of Happiness Fund Metastatic NSCLC
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This is not something that I’ve ever wanted to create, but here we are. I couldn’t think of a more deserving person to do this for or more important reason to do this. Anyone who knows me also knows my father, Joe -A charming, hilarious, adventurous guy who has spent his life thus far caring for and helping others more often than I’ve ever seen from another person. Chances are, he’s done this for you in some way if you’ve made it here to read this and know him.
On April 27th, 2022 my dad, Joe, was having an issue with his type two diabetes. This left him with a morning filled with fear as we journeyed to South Seminole hospital. Upon arrival, he was quickly admitted and given assistance for his situation. During this day, he received numerous tests. One of these tests being a chest X-ray. This X-ray showed a density in my father and best friends lung. This was quite a blow to my father as he has spent his life up until this moment working hard to help those around him and now has been forced to quickly change gears and focus on himself. His plan to retire in 2023 at age 63 felt extremely far away and his new situation daunting.
We are waiting on more information and testing as well as a course of action to make sure this amazing guy can continue to live the happiest and healthiest life he can. I have made this page in hopes that some of the people who my father has impacted in their lives would contribute to his longevity, care, and happiness.
As his plan to retire has to be moved forward, and with impending medical debts, this has left my father in a place that I would never wish him to be in. I’ve created this page because out of anyone I’ve ever met, this person deserves to live a happy life without financial worries during this circumstance.
All donations will go to my fathers heath, care, pursuit of happiness, and well being. He is a proud man, so it was difficult to get him to consider this fundraiser, but I’m thankful for his openness and hope for the future. Thank you for reading this, donating if you can, sharing this page, or even thinking positive things about my father, Joe.
If you would rather contribute to my father, Joe, directly by mail or elsewhere, please reach out to me personally online or via phone.
Thank you always. -Emily
***** Updated 4/29
to upload photos of initial chest X-ray and brain MRI taken on 4/29 with findings. Still working to come up with the best plan of action as well as waiting to receive official diagnosis.
***** Updated 5/6
Things have moved quite quickly since my last update. Thank you again for all of the continued support as well as well wishes daily.
My father, Joe, was discharged from South Seminole hospital medically stable, in good spirits, AND with a fully formed team and immediate plan of action as of Thursday, 5/5.
He is currently on steroids for the brain lesions and awaiting genetic marker results for the lung mass.
We have now also received biopsy results back for the lung mass as NSCLC.
Currently waiting on the genetic markers to explore best treatment options for this specific (and thankfully less aggressive) type.
Today we visited with the radiologist in our first outpatient follow up regarding the brain lesions.
Radiology game plan is to go for 3 rounds of targeted SRS radiation within the next 2 weeks for the brain lesions.
Still need to meet with the rest of the oncology team for other chemo/radiation/medication information as well as to form the rest of the long term plan.
In short, great meeting today and fabulous plan for radiating the brain eggs ASAP! We will be expecting a follow up call this coming Monday with more information on what to do next.
Thank you all again!
***** Updated 5/11
Progress updates as of 5/11: So much momentum, information, and planning every day since this journey began on 4/27. We are so very grateful for the support of friends and family. It truly takes a village to fight back against cancer!
My father, Joe, now has an immediate plan to have 3 SRS radiation appointments to address the brain metastasis scheduled for 5/12, 5/13, and 5/16.
The team is confident that this is the best course of action to currently deal with the lesions.
On 5/19, my father has a full body PET/CT scheduled. On 5/20, we will meet with the hemotology team to begin to form a long term treatment plan for the lung mass.
We’re very nervous and excited to begin radiation treatment tomorrow. I will post more updates as I can consolidate the information.
Thank you all for your continued support! My dad is so incredibly amazed with the outpouring. Thank you again!
***** Updated 5/16
Today is a wonderful milestone day! Final round of SRS radiation to the brain completed. A radiation follow up is scheduled for around 6 weeks from now to check progress.
We are all looking forward to Thursday’s PET scan as well as Friday’s oncology meeting to discuss the long term course of action when it comes to treatment for the NSCLC and lung mass.
Thank you all for the well wishes during this initial stage of treatment as well as your continued support!
I will update this as soon as possible after this weeks meetings. Thank you again friends!
***** Updated 5/26
Brief update as things are still moving so quickly: No further metastasis shown on the PET/CT ordered last week.
My father, Joe, will be starting his first cycle of chemotherapy and immunotherapy tomorrow 5/27. This will be a three drug regimen of Taxol, Carboplatin, and Keytruda. He is scheduled for 2 cycles as of now, each containing 3 weeks of treatment. If this shows to be a beneficial regimen, there will be an additional cycle added on.
We are getting prepared to start this next leg of the journey. Thank you all for coming along for the ride, sending well wishes, and supporting my father, Joe. I will update this with more information as this week progresses. Thank you again!
***** Updated 7/1
Another brief update as it has been a whirlwind of events since the last: My father has completed two full cycles of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy thus far. My father’s next cycle starts on Thursday 7/7. My father, Joe, is responding very well to all treatments so far with minimal/expected side effects. He is currently receiving infusion therapy once a week. The plan is to continue through to the end of all his scheduled cycles with the goal of continued maintenance therapy once complete as well as the possibility of some radiation. All is currently right on track regarding his plan of care. My father is so thankful for the continued well wishes and support. The financial contributions received throughout this journey so far have been so appreciated. Thank you for the all of the support, again, and we will keep everyone informed. Thank you, thank you!
***** Updated 7/7
Another chemo day in the books! Cycle 3 day 1 was a success. Until next time!
***** Updated 10/27
6 Month Cancerversary Update-
It’s officially been six months since my dad, Joe, was diagnosed with cancer. In that time, he’s received radiation treatment, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemo therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, other specialized therapies, strobes, biopsies, blood work, countless infusions, pills, scans, and so much more. We’ve visited and utilized just about every wing and ward of our local healthcare systems and social service resources that exist in the past half a year.
Cancer diagnosis and treatment is a string of never ending appointments and calls and visits and updates and rechecks and more checks and more updates and more visits. It’s somehow been both the the longest and shortest six months simultaneously and I’m so proud of my dad for getting here.
Since last updating, countless appointments, infusions, medication adjustments, specialist visits, and so many more events have taken place in order to get my dad to the point he currently is at. He has shown an excellent response to all therapies and is considered to be doing well by his team’s standards.
My father Joseph is officially onto maintenance therapy and just about finished with physical and speech therapy as well as some other tail end care in efforts to get him as close to his pre-chemo baseline as quickly and safely as possible.
He is due for his next round of post-chemotherapy scans toward the end of this year and will be receiving those as well as continued maintenance therapy for the foreseeable future.
We are so thankful for everyone who has followed along and continued to support our family though this life change.
Cancer sucks, is so unbelievably expensive, and so life changing. We will continue to keep pushing on and keep updating here as events unfold. As always, thank you all again for everything, truly!
****** Updated 12/30
Before we head into the New Year, I wanted to wrap up the happenings of 2022 regarding my father’s cancer journey.
The current regimen is still maintenance treatment monthly and routine scans every few months.
To keep it short and sweet, he has recovered significantly from the side effects and toll that chemo took on him during active treatment and is still improving daily.
The change of pace in day to day life for both myself as well as my father from pre diagnosis to now is striking and we sincerely appreciate all of the support during this time.
I will continue to update with any major happenings throughout his journey. Our family is looking forward to making new memories amidst all the chaos that is cancer and cancer treatment.
Happy New Year all and thank you all!
****** Updated 2/26
Wrench in the cog and a very quick and casual update as this week has been a whirlwind-
My dad is at the hospital for a case of osteomyelitis (infection of the bone in the tip of his right big toe) and has to have a partial amputation(tip of toe removed). He's also been getting IV antibiotics while here as standard protocol. His podiatrist (and now surgeon) just visited to make the surgical plan and he will be having the procedure this week before Wednesday. He will need to wear a surgical boot afterwards and use a knee scooter until he can bare weight.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Hoping this gets him on the mend and back to his usual self/activities!
Cancer update- Staging scans from February are looking stable and of no current concern. He did need one round of radiation for a possible brain met in January which is no longer visible on latest CT scans. Keytruda is still the only treatment needed at this time for maintenance therapy.
I will be sure to update again post surgery.
Thank you everyone for supporting my dad though all of this!
Organizer and beneficiary
Emily F
Organizer
Longwood, FL
Joseph Furnas
Beneficiary