UPDATE: Scott Flippen, Too Young for All This

5-10-24. The full body PET Scan performed by the S. FL Cancer Center came back clean. The chest tumor is gone…. So, great news is that it does not appear to be cancer. However we are no closer to knowing what is going on. He is being referred to a rheumatologist for further testing and has follow ups scheduled with the cancer center as well. There are forms of immune and autoimmune disorders where spontaneous Tumor remissions are common so that aspect is now being looked into. Scott now has his good days and bad days and has been able to do some light work such as interior painting,,but is not well enough for any heavy work. We will continue fundraising to supplement his income. We are planning another garage sale mid month and other fundraising efforts from my artwork as previously planned..

Thank you to everyone who has generously donated. We have been able to pay the last two months rent, electric bills, repair the brakes on the car and other household bills. Still waiting on word from disability and medicaid….but without a formal diagnosis it could be a long road.

Scott is now under the care of the S. FL Cancer Center as an outpatient and will be seen once a week. More tests are being done and possibly radiation to shrink the tumor.

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We are now just waiting for Scotts appointment at the S. Fl. Cancer Center on April 10 and hoping for a new biopsy and some answers on how to proceed. Thank you to those who have so generously donated. So far the funds have been used to pay his rent for April, electric bill, groceries, and travel to and from Shands. He has been unable to work for some time now.

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Biopsy finally came back and is inconclusive, they were not able to get a piece of the actual tumor. so now back to square one… he will have to get another biopsy. The issue is that the tumor is deep within his ribcage. They tried to access it thru a small incision between two ribs but were only able to reach some soft tissue surrounding the tumor. the other methods Shands was considering involved removing ribs so I guess it was worth a shot to try just an incision first. I am not sure what the next steps will be as of yet.

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Update: Biopsy was done on Friday, March 15. It will be a few days to get the results….praying for the best outcome.

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My name is Cherie Blickenstaff. My nephew, Scott Flippen, age 39 is currently at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, undergoing extensive testing for a tumor in his chest.

His case is quite complicated and his medical teams are working on the best plan of action.

Scott has gone through some rough times in his life, but is one of the hardest workers i have known. He and his fiancé and her son have recently moved to a new place with higher rent. He has not been able to work for the past month and bills are piling up at home. Any funds collected will go to travel expenses for family to get back and forth to Gainesville and to keeping his bills paid so that he has a home to return to.