Sammy Keith

Welcome to our CaringBridge website for Samuel A. Keith, or Sammy to almost everyone who knows him. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. Sadly, Sammy is now engaged in a fight for his life. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.  Thank you for visiting.  For informational purposes, Sammy is being treated at University of Kansas Cancer Center 3901 Rainbow Blvd. Kansas City, KS. 66160. 913-588-5000. 

In May of this year Sammy was diagnosed with a myxofibro sarcoma in his right shoulder.  This is a wicked cancer that is fast growing and has a history or recurring. As Sammy's general practitioner has stated at the time of diagnosis "he's won the lottery of bad cancer".  On May 5th Sammy underwent surgery in Oklahoma City, OK to remove the tumor, but unfortunately the surgery was unsuccessful in removing 100% of the tumor. Fast forward to today, Sammy is an inpatient at the Kansas University Cancer Center. The sarcoma has advanced to a state that it has essentially consumed and disfigured his right shoulder and arm to a point that the size is more than twice their normal size and the tumor has erupted through his skin.  To complicate matters, the sarcoma has also spread into Sammy' right lung, and continues to grow in both regions. 


Because of the state of the tumor in the arm, "treatment" of either tumor is not an option due to the threat of infection and ultimately sepsis.  The doctors here have assembled a team including sarcoma specialists, orthopedic oncology surgeons and thoracic surgeons. It is with heavy heart that we are in fact facing a severely life threatening situation, and the options to save Sammy's life are limited and drastic. 


The plan is to remove the most aggressive and life threatening cancer first, with the hopes of getting Sammy into a condition where they can begin to treat the cancer in his lung. It's an aggressive strategy, but sadly the only real option available. So, on Tuesday morning Sammy will undergo a fore quarter amputation of his upper right side. Essentially the are going to remove his right arm, right collarbone and right shoulder blade. They anticipate this to be a very long and complicated procedure. Rehab will be extremely difficult, physically, mentally and emotionally. 


Sammy is brave and courageous and knows he is fighting for his life. He is surrounded by family and loved ones and is determined to beat this. We are too. And in Sammy fashion he's even quipped that he'll now be known as Southpaw Sammy. 


We ask for your prayers and good wishes for Sammy.