Support Colin's Battle Against Rare Cancer

From Colin's mother, Pandora:

My beautiful son, Colin Walker, is 19. Colin has a twin sister, Riley, and a younger sister, Presley who is 11 and is the most amazing big brother and son. Colin was diagnosed with cancer in early May 2023. No words can describe the gravity of the heartbreak, shock, and devastation we all felt to hear this news about our sweet and precious Colin — a mother's worst nightmare. Colin was immediately admitted to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. We knew we were up against the worst disease, but we were determined to beat it. I never faltered from being positive and telling Colin it was just a matter of time before he got better.

Colin's cancer is called synovial sarcoma, which is a rare form of solid tumor that only occurs in 1% of cancer patients. The doctors weren't very reassuring. He had a tumor in his abdomen essentially the size of a grapefruit as well as another small tumor near his rectum. There were also other nodules throughout his abdominal cavity. Colin was given a treatment plan that involved seven rounds of chemotherapy that were spread three weeks apart with three days of IV medicine. Each stay was at least four to five days and took a hard toll on him. He lost all of his hair and a lot of weight.

Close to the final round of chemo, they started him on radiation for 10 weeks, five days a week. He could not drive himself, so his father, grandmother and I shared the duty of taking him to all his appointments. Finally, in early October they were able to schedule surgery to remove the tumors. Dr. James Stein is the best surgeon at the hospital. He showed me what they removed from my child. It was shocking. Unfortunately, they also had to remove a 2" portion of his small intestine as well as another small section of his large intestine. Due to the chemotherapy and radiation, his recovery was lengthy. During his hospital stay, his father suffered endocarditis and a stroke and was admitted to the hospital. His double heart valve replacement surgery was 10 days after Colin's. By Thanksgiving, they were both home and on the mend. Colin still had five weeks of radiation after surgery and the nausea he was suffering from made it hard for him to eat, which caused more weight loss.

In January of this year, he was declared in remission. He started to gain a little weight and his hair grew back. For a few months, it felt like he had beat cancer. He still had clinic appointments to keep track of his recovery.

In April, our hope, joy, and relief turned to heartache, anguish, and uncertainty as Colin noticed a spot near his groin that was concerning. After a scan of his abdomen, they discovered that the cancer was back. Colin was readmitted to the hospital at the end of May and was started on a new chemotherapy medicine. He began retaining fluid (due to either the new treatment or the cancer) and gained over 30 pounds of fluid weight, which had pooled in his legs and other areas of his lower body. He needed to have a drain installed to remove the excess fluid. He was extremely uncomfortable.

At this time, Colin is still in the hospital. The scar tissue from the surgery has created a blockage in his intestines, which has prevented him from eating solid food for over two weeks. At 6' 2", he only weighs 135 pounds. He's on IV nutrients and fluids, has been eating popsicles, and can enjoy different drinks. Colin is now on a new chemotherapy regimen since the last medication did not work.

Due to many circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to keep up with the costs of Colin's care. I have applied for Medi-Cal and Colin has filed for disability, which he may not receive. We have a production business that has suffered from the pandemic and the strikes in our industry. To say our income has been reduced is an understatement.

I am working as much as I can, but due to his father's health, it has been extremely challenging for him to find work.

If you feel called to contribute any amount, we sincerely appreciate the support as we do our best to navigate this monumentally challenging season for our family. With deep gratitude, my family and I thank you.

Sincerely,

Pandora Kronenburg,

Mom to the most amazing young man