Jim Rud Jim Rud

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Jim has been diagnosed with Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma. This is considered a terminal cancer.  His cancer was discovered after a long struggle with back pain resulted in an ER visit.  The MRI then showed the bones of his spine, pelvis and hips were greatly weakened by the cancer.  That same trip discovered a bowel obstruction that likely occurred as a side effect from the opioid pain medication he was prescribed.  These findings resulted in a week long hospitalization to treat the bowel obstruction as well as formulate a plan for the cancer.  The bones in his left hip were so weakened the doctors were concerned he could fracture or break the bone just by walking.  Jim had surgery to place metal pins in is left hip to provide stability and reduce the risk of a fracture.  Jim also had an additional surgery to have a port placed and biopsies of the abdomen done.  The purpose of the port is to provide an access point for chemotherapy administration and frequent blood draws.  The primary source of the cancer was found in his throat.