Riley Carlson
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This GoFundMe account is for Riley Carlson, a 2013 graduate of Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, Indiana. Riley is 21 years old and is fighting stage 4 stomach cancer.
Riley’s story:
In May 2014, Riley had just finished his freshman year at Vincennes University and was about to leave for a summer internship in Lafayette, Indiana. The week before he left, he went to his doctor for a routine physical and his doctor discovered his hemoglobin was 6.0 and he was severely anemic. Several units of blood were given and an endoscopy revealed that he had 2 very suspicious looking large bleeding ulcers in his stomach.
Medicine was prescribed and Riley left for Lafayette, excited to be doing a robotics internship at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. A few weeks later, Riley came home for a follow up visit to check on his ulcers. Tests revealed that there was no improvement, so biopsies were done. The results showed that Riley had stage 3 stomach cancer. It was a devastating diagnosis for Riley and his family. Stomach cancer is not common in the U.S. and is usually found in much older people, certainly not 19 year olds. The survival rate is very low.
Riley immediately withdrew from his internship and met with oncologists and surgeons in Evansville and Indianapolis. In the fall of 2014, Riley withdrew from college to fight the cancer. He began several rounds of chemotherapy and then underwent surgery at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis. The result of the surgery was the removal of most of his stomach. Unfortunately Riley suffered from blood clots and infections which complicated his hospital recovery. Eventually Riley had to have part of his intestines also removed. Finally after many difficult weeks of recovery, and on a feeding tube, Riley left the hospital to return to his home. Riley and his family were hopeful that the cancer was gone. In August 2015, Riley returned to Vincennes University to continue his Robotics Degree.
In February 2016, the heart breaking news came that the cancer had returned and spread to his abdomen. Riley’s doctors said there was no surgery that could remove all the cancer cells now growing in his abdomen. Riley again began chemotherapy immediately to keep the cancer from spreading further. He returned to Vincennes University while still undergoing chemo, determined to complete his degree.
In April 2016, Riley was Life-lined to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with another life threatening condition, unrelated to his cancer, called an aorta dissection. Surgery was done to try to repair his torn aorta but the surgery was not successful. A total aortic replacement is now needed, but his surgeon at Methodist Hospital, as well as surgeons at Cleveland Clinic and Vanderbilt University, said that with his advanced cancer diagnosis, the complicated surgery would be too risky.
Riley eventually graduated cum laude from Vincennes University. Although he was in the hospital and wasn’t able to attend commencement ceremonies, he cheered on his friends as he watched them accept their diplomas, via live streaming on his computer.
Riley is now fighting cancer without chemotherapy so as not to compromise his aorta. Riley will continue his treatment through doctors’ appointments, scans, and biopsies to monitor the cancer’s growth and the condition of his aorta.
Riley remains positive and hopeful for the future and is thankful for every day that he can still enjoy. He never complains and when asked, he always says with a smile that he is doing just fine. Riley is a strong young man and has faced every challenge these last 2 years with determination and courage coupled with patience and quiet acceptance. Please pray for peace and strength for Riley and his family.
We have set up this GoFundMe account for those who would like to help Riley and his family with his medical bills and expenses along with anything that Riley may need for his care. We want Riley to know he is not fighting alone and that many people love and support him. Your donations, prayers and words of support and kindness are deeply appreciated.
With gratitude,
Aunt Mary, Aunt Julie, Aunt Margie, and Aunt Catherine
Riley’s story:
In May 2014, Riley had just finished his freshman year at Vincennes University and was about to leave for a summer internship in Lafayette, Indiana. The week before he left, he went to his doctor for a routine physical and his doctor discovered his hemoglobin was 6.0 and he was severely anemic. Several units of blood were given and an endoscopy revealed that he had 2 very suspicious looking large bleeding ulcers in his stomach.
Medicine was prescribed and Riley left for Lafayette, excited to be doing a robotics internship at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. A few weeks later, Riley came home for a follow up visit to check on his ulcers. Tests revealed that there was no improvement, so biopsies were done. The results showed that Riley had stage 3 stomach cancer. It was a devastating diagnosis for Riley and his family. Stomach cancer is not common in the U.S. and is usually found in much older people, certainly not 19 year olds. The survival rate is very low.
Riley immediately withdrew from his internship and met with oncologists and surgeons in Evansville and Indianapolis. In the fall of 2014, Riley withdrew from college to fight the cancer. He began several rounds of chemotherapy and then underwent surgery at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis. The result of the surgery was the removal of most of his stomach. Unfortunately Riley suffered from blood clots and infections which complicated his hospital recovery. Eventually Riley had to have part of his intestines also removed. Finally after many difficult weeks of recovery, and on a feeding tube, Riley left the hospital to return to his home. Riley and his family were hopeful that the cancer was gone. In August 2015, Riley returned to Vincennes University to continue his Robotics Degree.
In February 2016, the heart breaking news came that the cancer had returned and spread to his abdomen. Riley’s doctors said there was no surgery that could remove all the cancer cells now growing in his abdomen. Riley again began chemotherapy immediately to keep the cancer from spreading further. He returned to Vincennes University while still undergoing chemo, determined to complete his degree.
In April 2016, Riley was Life-lined to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with another life threatening condition, unrelated to his cancer, called an aorta dissection. Surgery was done to try to repair his torn aorta but the surgery was not successful. A total aortic replacement is now needed, but his surgeon at Methodist Hospital, as well as surgeons at Cleveland Clinic and Vanderbilt University, said that with his advanced cancer diagnosis, the complicated surgery would be too risky.
Riley eventually graduated cum laude from Vincennes University. Although he was in the hospital and wasn’t able to attend commencement ceremonies, he cheered on his friends as he watched them accept their diplomas, via live streaming on his computer.
Riley is now fighting cancer without chemotherapy so as not to compromise his aorta. Riley will continue his treatment through doctors’ appointments, scans, and biopsies to monitor the cancer’s growth and the condition of his aorta.
Riley remains positive and hopeful for the future and is thankful for every day that he can still enjoy. He never complains and when asked, he always says with a smile that he is doing just fine. Riley is a strong young man and has faced every challenge these last 2 years with determination and courage coupled with patience and quiet acceptance. Please pray for peace and strength for Riley and his family.
We have set up this GoFundMe account for those who would like to help Riley and his family with his medical bills and expenses along with anything that Riley may need for his care. We want Riley to know he is not fighting alone and that many people love and support him. Your donations, prayers and words of support and kindness are deeply appreciated.
With gratitude,
Aunt Mary, Aunt Julie, Aunt Margie, and Aunt Catherine
Organizer and beneficiary
Meg Ahlering
Organizer
Evansville, IN
Riley Carlson
Beneficiary