
Vovi Vu cancer treatment fund
Donation protected
Vovi Vu has had a rough year. He was diagnosed with Stage IV Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma after going to a spine specialist because of continued back pain that his primary doctor nor orthopedic specialist could diagnose. Finally after an MRI was ordered where they immediately saw that his T2 vertebra had a burst fracture, he was rushed to the ER at TGH. Because there had been no trauma or fall, they knew that it was either a bone condition or a tumor. They immediately immobilized him and a surgery was performed to remove the broken vertebra and the tumor that was the cause of the fracture. They replaced it with a titanium alloy cage and fused his spine above and below with screws spanning from his C7-T4 vertebra. After testing the removed tumor, it was determined that this was a metastatic growth of the Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. After a short period where he somewhat recovered from the surgery and began physical therapy, he started the standard chemo protocol. This worked a little in the beginning, but then the cancer revved up its engines and grew back faster. The next phases of chemo did nothing to shrink the tumors, so immunotherapy was attempted. Unfortunately, this did not work for his cancer and it grew out of control during that treatment. Due to the cancers rapid growth, his esophagus is now being affected and causing issues swallowing. He has just started seeing a doctor in South Florida who will do an experimental (not clinical trial) cryoablation and intratumoral immunotherapy (NEITHER of which insurance will cover).
It is because of these new expenses, we ask for support for my sister, Michele and her husband, Vovi. They leave for South Florida next week for at least 1 month away from their family.
It is because of these new expenses, we ask for support for my sister, Michele and her husband, Vovi. They leave for South Florida next week for at least 1 month away from their family.
Organizer
Patrice Stockdale Hubbs
Organizer
Tampa, FL