Please Help Wes Through His Battle Against Cancer

To all the family and friends of Wes and Beth - they wish they didn't need to ask, but they really need your help! Let's show our support and help lessen their financial burden.

Wes has been diagnosed with Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma. This rare type of sarcoma has been called a monster. It is complicated to treat, spreads very fast, and has a very high rate of reoccurrence.

It began many months ago, as a lump in Wes' thigh, that he thought was a pulled muscle. When it wasn't resolving and continued to grow, he sought out medical care, and after tests and biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed.

Wes' tumor is now the size of a large potato. It has grown within the adductor muscle of his leg and is painful and affecting his functioning. Surgical removal is delicate and complicated and involves dissection and removal of the adductor muscle as well as the surrounding area. Some patients in the worst cases lose the limb entirely, so the surgery he will have is considered "limb saving." Wes' oncology team believes his leg will be saved! But even before surgery is performed, he needs immediate chemotherapy.

Because of its unique characteristics and the way this particular cancer spreads within the body, the main concern right now is cancer cells that are undetectable on scans, and very likely to be floating around his body, seeking to settle. Wes' doctors hope it has been caught it in time to prevent this.

Wes' oncology team is specialized in sarcoma, and they, knowing how dangerous this is, are wasting no time. His treatment began immediately. It is quite literally a whirlwind for Wes and Beth. Wes' first step in treatment includes a specialized, aggressive chemotherapy protocol, combined with radiation.

If all goes well, in a few months, he will have the tumor removed. He will most likely have more chemotherapy after he heals from his surgery as a "clean up" of any leftover floating cancer cells. Then, regular scans to check for reoccurrence.

The surgery for this tumor includes removal of a large area in Wes' thigh, including removal of the adductor muscle. Possible muscle grafting, a long inpatient healing process, then many months of rehabilitation and likely, some level of permanent disability.

Wes and Beth met on an April Fools Day at a local live music show and danced their first night away under a new moon, not wanting to leave each other's side. They haven't left each other since. They will not leave each other now... no matter what they may face together. This year, they will spend their 3 year anniversary together with Wes undergoing chemo treatment.

The thought of possibly not dancing at shows together anymore is devastating for them. Also devastating is possibly no longer being able to explore new hiking trails with their children and their dog or the other ways they enjoy staying active together. They will, however, be resilient and forge a new future...together.

Their life has been turned upside down and will forever be changed. Not only on a personal level but on a financial one as well.

Wes had to abruptly quit his labor-intensive job. The doctors say in the best case scenario that he will not be able to work for a minimum of a year. He will most likely not be able to return to any type of physical work, which is all he has ever known. Wes is applying for disability, but that process takes many months before any relief will be sent, and even once he does see payments, it won't be enough. Not by a long shot.

Beth has also had to abruptly quit working. This was an agonizing decision for them to make together. They need the income badly! However, as a self-employed home childcare provider, Beth's job requires having multiple small children from different households in their shared home every day. The risk of exposure to Wes' extremely vulnerable immune system during his chemotherapy treatment is just too great to ignore. Treatment being complicated or halted due to illness could have dangerous consequences.

Beth will also need to care for Wes through his chemotherapy, surgery, and long recovery/rehabilitation process as well as post surgery chemo. Beth plans to possibly find other employment that will be more suitable while still allowing her to care for Wes.

Neither Wes nor Beth working due to this medical crisis is financially devastating, as you can imagine!

What is most important right now, however, is keeping Wes safe and as healthy as possible so that his treatment will be effective and his surgery swift. So that Wes can be free of cancer and stay that way!

There are many unknowns for Wes and Beth and so much to figure out, but what they do know is that the oncology team believes right now that Wes is in a curable state!

They will have a long road ahead of them, though, and are not financially in a place to coast through it. Not in the least bit.

Wes and Beth are hopeful. They are strong. They will do whatever it takes.

But,

They can't do this alone. They really can't. They will need help and support!

Please help lessen this financial burden they face together so they can both focus on Wes' cancer battle and recovery.

Wes has health insurance with a very high yearly out of pocket maximum. His recovery will likely span multiple years with continued scans, tests, and physical therapy. They will use donated funds for medical bills, living expenses as they wait for disability, and as Beth searches for a new way to source income.

Let's get Wes dancing again!

Wes and Beth send many thanks for all of your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy and send so much love to you all ❤️