Medical funds for Larry’s Cancer Journey

***UPDATE: Now that Larry’s cancer has been removed from his kidney and immunotherapy has started. His neurosurgeon is now comfortable to operate on his spine (the initial problem that brought him to the ER). On May 21, 2024 Larry will have an open spinal fusion, fusing L3,L4,L5, and S1 together. Larry is still unable to work and the cost of immunotherapy after his insurance pays out is around $20,000 out of pocket for his year worth of treatments. We are seeking donations to help pay for some cost of his immunotherapy and his spinal surgery. He is likely to lose his insurance due to starting long term disability through his work and will have to come out of pocket for private insurance.***

On October 19, 2023 Larry went to the Ochsner emergency room for chronic back and sciatica pain which he has dealt with for years. At the ER they did some imaging and discovered a renal mass which prompted further imaging and testing. On October 31, 2023 Larry had an ultrasound and CT guided biopsy on the mass, the results came back undetermined but doctors were still positive the mass was cancerous. After numerous doctors appointments the doctor made a plan to do an open nephrectomy instead of a laparoscopic nephrectomy to get a better look at the mass and ensure all portions were taken out on December 27, 2023. Going into surgery the surgeon was unsure if he was going to take the whole kidney or portion of the kidney. The surgeon ended up taking a portion of the kidney and a rib, the result of the mass came back as stage 3 clear cell renal cancer. The mass was tangled in the veins of the kidney, resulting in Larry having to go through immunotherapy to ensure the cancer doesn’t come back this treatment is very costly. Larry has been unable to work since October 30, 2023 and medical bills are adding up despite having private insurance. He is asking for donations to help with the cost of the immunotherapy.