Help Frank Get the Care He Deserves

On January 9th, Frank had a 6-month follow-up MRI from his MRI that was done in June, which had shown a shadow or a small spot on his brain. The Jan 9th MRI showed a large mass-like tumor on the right side of his brain. There is a midline shift up to 12 mm pushing toward the left of the brain that is crowding his brain. The impression of the MRI: Aggressive appearing neoplastic process highly suspicious for glioblastoma multiforme. Significant midline shift at the level of the lower anterior corpus callosum.

On Jan 10th, we went to see Dr. Tothy, an oncologist from Northwest Cancer Center in Crown Point. Frank was excessively sleeping and having sudden episodes of confusion. Dr. Tothy started him on a steroid and immediately referred him to a neurosurgeon at Northwestern. They refused to take his insurance, so we took him to Rush's ER. He was admitted due to the concerning mass.

On Jan 17th, the surgeon at Rush performed a biopsy of the mass, and the slides were sent to pathology. The final report is not finished, but the initial report shows a HIGH-GRADE NEOPLASM. He was showing signs of regression by the time this was completed. He was more confused by the day, could no longer drive, and was having difficulty communicating with his family. Just weeks before, he was still able to work, drive, and communicate. He was becoming severely fatigued, even falling asleep at work. We, his family, were really concerned. He was in the Neuro ICU after his biopsy and sent home on Jan. 18th.

On 1/21, there was a tumor board discussion at Rush. The final results are still pending, but the board at Rush feels like it is likely a glioblastoma. The surgeon called and said it was inoperable and that surgery was not an option. He referred to Neuro Oncology. Appointments were made then canceled due to our insurance being out of network. (Gotta love our system.)

On 1/22, I took him to the ER at Franciscan in Crown Point due to increasing mental decline. Franciscan called Rush, and Rush wanted him transferred to their ER by ambulance. Frank sat in the ER all night, and because he could walk and talk okay, he was sent back home. After this day is when the appointments were canceled with no notice.

After waiting for a week of not knowing what we were going to do, Frank was approved on Jan 31st to go to City of Hope in Zion, Ill. At this point, his mental decline was extreme. He was having trouble speaking and was sleeping about 22 hours a day.

We are asking for any possible assistance anyone can provide during this very difficult time for our family. We want to provide the best care for the best man in our lives. Funds will be used towards medical bills, possible palliative/hospice care, pain management, possible chemo/radiation, etc. This has been the worst news of our lives and something so completely unexpected.

February 14, 2025 6:15 PM; Frank Johnson Jr. passed away. The funds we continue to raise will be used to pay hospital bills and his funeral costs only.