Paul Shea Cancer Benefit
Donation protected
On September 3, 2020 our dad, Paul, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Located in his right tonsil, right soft palette, and right lymph nodes. What started as a sinus type infection back in October of 2019 took us almost a year to get to the bottom of. We never thought that it would be cancer. After meeting with Dr. Dorrity, ENT, he was able to look deep into Paul’s throat and saw a patch of blister like spots on his tonsil and soft palette. During his appointment, Dr. Dorrity took several biopsies of that area and sent it to pathology.
The journey began that day. He has had several tests and doctor appointments that are not covered by any health insurance. After the pathology came back, he needed a PET scan (this looks for cancer from the top of the head to the top of the thigh) and a CT scan (shows what areas are involved) as soon as possible. At that point dad did not have health insurance, so this meant mom and dad would need to travel to Omaha where these tests are much less costly. Luckily for us, his cancer is contained to his right tonsil, soft palette, and right lymph nodes. They also found some noncancerous cysts on his kidneys. Thankfully, this cancer responds very well to treatment. Dad cancer team has assured us that once treatment is completed, he should be able to make a full recovery.
Since the diagnosis of cancer dad has been having some symptoms that none of his team has really be able to answer. Since he has been listening more to his body he is getting to the bottom of those symptoms. However, this also means many appointments and more test.
He established care with Dr. Olson and at his first appointment he was found to be in atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm). He was started on a new heart mediation as well as a blood thinner. Since then he has been flipping in and out of atrial fibrillation and a normal rhythm, but he is still having some odd symptoms. He Had an echo done at the beginning of the month. He has also been seen by Dr. Olson for fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and abdominal distension.
He saw Dr. Garcia his new cardiologist on 10/14 and we got some more news. His heart was in a normal rhythm, but his EKG showed that he has had another heart attack since his heart attack in 2005. We do not know how old this is, but we do know that dad’s heart has suffered some damage based on the Echo. His heart is functioning at about 80% of normal.
He will be getting his port placed for his chemotherapy on 10/16 as well as a zio-patch heart monitor to wear for a week to monitor what his heart rhythm is doing. On 10/23 he will undergo an angiogram with Dr. Garcia to see if there are any blockages and to check the vessels in his heart for damage.
Treatment will begin on October 26, with his first round of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Dad will be having 35 radiation treatments and 3 rounds of chemotherapy. He will complete his treatment by the end of this year, barring any complications. On the 27th he will have an MRI of his head and abdomen. On the 29th he will have an ultrasound of his carotid arteries and his kidney and will also see Dr. Olson again.
Being self-employed, he has not been able to work as much the last few months since this started and will be having to reduce his hours in the shop while he is going through treatment. We are asking for donations to help cover medical expenses, living expenses, and unforeseen expenses. Please know that any donation is greatly appreciated, and we are humbled and thankful for our family, friends, and neighbors. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to walk through this journey, we call surviving cancer.
Paul, Brenda, and the Shea Children
The journey began that day. He has had several tests and doctor appointments that are not covered by any health insurance. After the pathology came back, he needed a PET scan (this looks for cancer from the top of the head to the top of the thigh) and a CT scan (shows what areas are involved) as soon as possible. At that point dad did not have health insurance, so this meant mom and dad would need to travel to Omaha where these tests are much less costly. Luckily for us, his cancer is contained to his right tonsil, soft palette, and right lymph nodes. They also found some noncancerous cysts on his kidneys. Thankfully, this cancer responds very well to treatment. Dad cancer team has assured us that once treatment is completed, he should be able to make a full recovery.
Since the diagnosis of cancer dad has been having some symptoms that none of his team has really be able to answer. Since he has been listening more to his body he is getting to the bottom of those symptoms. However, this also means many appointments and more test.
He established care with Dr. Olson and at his first appointment he was found to be in atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm). He was started on a new heart mediation as well as a blood thinner. Since then he has been flipping in and out of atrial fibrillation and a normal rhythm, but he is still having some odd symptoms. He Had an echo done at the beginning of the month. He has also been seen by Dr. Olson for fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and abdominal distension.
He saw Dr. Garcia his new cardiologist on 10/14 and we got some more news. His heart was in a normal rhythm, but his EKG showed that he has had another heart attack since his heart attack in 2005. We do not know how old this is, but we do know that dad’s heart has suffered some damage based on the Echo. His heart is functioning at about 80% of normal.
He will be getting his port placed for his chemotherapy on 10/16 as well as a zio-patch heart monitor to wear for a week to monitor what his heart rhythm is doing. On 10/23 he will undergo an angiogram with Dr. Garcia to see if there are any blockages and to check the vessels in his heart for damage.
Treatment will begin on October 26, with his first round of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Dad will be having 35 radiation treatments and 3 rounds of chemotherapy. He will complete his treatment by the end of this year, barring any complications. On the 27th he will have an MRI of his head and abdomen. On the 29th he will have an ultrasound of his carotid arteries and his kidney and will also see Dr. Olson again.
Being self-employed, he has not been able to work as much the last few months since this started and will be having to reduce his hours in the shop while he is going through treatment. We are asking for donations to help cover medical expenses, living expenses, and unforeseen expenses. Please know that any donation is greatly appreciated, and we are humbled and thankful for our family, friends, and neighbors. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to walk through this journey, we call surviving cancer.
Paul, Brenda, and the Shea Children
Organizer
Katie Shea
Organizer
Clear Lake, SD