Support Stefan's Battle Against Stage 4 Cancer

Hello Friends, Family, and Community Loved Ones.

I write this on behalf of my beloved brother, Stefan, who is facing the hardest fight of his life.

What started out feeling perhaps like acid reflux or something being stuck in the back of the throat has turned into an odyssey navigating many difficult health decisions.

In Jan of 2024, Stefan was diagnosed with stage 3 gastroesophageal cancer. After a whirlwind of research and evaluating the best options, he opted for radiation and chemo from the amazing team at the Heimann Cancer Center.

Unfortunately, the follow-up standard to that treatment included removing the lower third and upper third of his esophagus and stomach, respectively, which means sleeping on an incline and multiple tiny meals as standard of life going forward. When compared to the alternative, this was an acceptable change of life.

Despite multiple trips, surgeries, and procedures locally and in Portland for follow-ups, esophageal stent placements/removals to prevent scar tissue from sealing over the esophagus, there was accompanying unrelenting vomiting/dry-heaving—often for 12-24 hours at a time.

While the initial surgery was acclaimed a success by the surgeon stating she was able to get clear biopsy and removals of the mass, the unending vomiting prompted a follow-up CT much earlier than scheduled.

Sadly, this CT scan revealed that the cancer is now stage 4 as it has spread to the liver.

We are asking for your financial support to help with several areas.

(1) At-home health support for my mom (2) out-of-state treatment with specialists who focus on stage 4 liver involvement and (3) ongoing medical transport and the countless misc. expenditures that continue to arise.

1. My 77-year-old mother has been my brother's 24-hour caregiver for the last 7-8 months, and it has been taking a toll on her health. She has given her eldest son her upstairs master bedroom at her and her husband's house so she can be by his side helping change his intestinal feeding tube, washing his sheets from night sweats, accompanying him to nearly every appointment, managing medications, coordinating care, late-night impromptu ER visits for complications, and much more. You name it, my mom has been the world's best mom and caregiver anyone could ask for or dream of. Often, to the detriment of her own health. We are looking to bring in support for 15-20 hours a week to take some of the pressure off.

2. While Stefan has started ENHERTU locally (the side effects are worse than the initial chemo and radiation), there are several out-of-state options that are not covered by insurance.

3. Countless trips to the ER, Portland, local surgeon and the seemingly unending misc expenses seem to add up out of nowhere.

If you have ever been by someone's side who had to navigate a serious long-term illness, you know how heartbreaking it is to see someone suffer without substantial or any relief.

Please help Stefan as he continues to fight this every day so he can get back to the fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, caring person he is.

P.S. On a personal note, I think one of the hardest things in addition to seeing my brother suffer, is watching the pain my mother and father go through every day, feeling a sense of helplessness as their 47-year-old son battles the pain, 24-hour vomiting episodes, depression, frustration, and endless doctors' appointments. I believe almost more than the dollar amount, simply seeing and hearing from people who have been touched by or care about their son in some way would mean the world to them as they fight their own battles of the heart on this journey.

I think one of the most difficult times for me was when my dad, who admittedly knows basics of medicine and health care, offered with tears in his eyes that he has had a good life and wanted to donate his liver. While that isn't an option for several reasons, the gesture and his belief that it would mean trading his life for more time for his son was heart-wrenching and an overwhelming show of love. As my wife Katy and I have our first daughter on the way, I am only beginning to experience the love only a parent can experience for their child.

Thank you for reading and considering helping in any way, small or big. If you are unable to help financially at this time, even sharing this post and a kind word is appreciated.

Love those that are close to you and give them an extra squeeze as you never know when it might be your last.

With Love and Gratitude,

Stefan's Brother