John & Nikki Neuenfelt Family

Thank you so much to all who have reached out asking what you can do and how you can help John, Nikki and the kids. The meal train in May and June was a life saver but we felt that now that John and Nikki will be traveling back and forth to U of M monetary donations would be more helpful.

John finished up his chemo in August and his routine CT scan still showed an enlarged lymph node in the back of his abdomen. They decided to get a second opinion with an oncologist down at U of M. At that appt the Dr told them that it could be just dead tissue or it could still be cancer. So he scheduled John for another CT scan that John had done last Monday.

We had hoped the lymph node would shrink, meaning it was just dead tissue. However, the CT scan showed that it had actually grown, meaning still cancer. As well as showing another enlarged lymph node under his diaphragm. Because the lymph node in his abdomen grew, they believe it is a teratoma, (which can be benign or malignant), which does not respond to chemo or radiation and will continue to grow, so the only option is surgery, an open Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection. (There were a couple new spots in his lungs, however, that is secondary to getting the main masses removed. John will have follow up CTs to determine next steps with the new spots in the lungs, as they could just be an infections and not related to the cancer at all).

John and Nikki had a virtual call with a urological surgeon at U of M yesterday and he walked them through the surgery (It is a long and hard surgery), plus they are going to get a thoracic surgeon on board to remove the lymph node under his diaphragm at the same time. During the surgery they will remove both masses as well as all the lymph nodes on the left side of his abdomen. These will all be sent to pathology, which will give us information on how to proceed. Depending on what that shows John may need another couple rounds of chemo.

Surgery has been scheduled for October 24th at U of M. John, Nikki and Bonnie (John’s mom) will be heading down and are told to expect to be in the hospital 4-6 days. Money from your donations will go towards helping cover the cost of hotel rooms, food and gas. Post op John will be on pretty strict restrictions for 6 weeks.

We are praying that surgery is easy and quick, that they are able to remove all that they need to remove. And that the results come back that he does not need more chemo.

More than any monetary contribution you make we would appreciate you praying for John to be cancer free after this surgery. We appreciate all your love and support as well!

The Neuenfelt and Samkowiak Families