First post:
Mar 28, 2019 Latest post:
May 21, 2019
Our son Steven is a very bright, brave, courageous, personable, strong and kind 26- year old. He loves the outdoors, hunting, dogs, cars and serving our country. Steven served in the U.S. Navy from 2011-2016. He planned on reentering the Navy as a career after graduating with a B.S. in Accounting from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) at the end of 2019. Unfortunately, God had other plans for Steven…
We were shocked when we learned that Steven was diagnosed with Stage 3 esophageal cancer while traveling out of state with his older brother in August of 2018. After receiving the diagnosis, Steven was rushed home to seek urgent medical care. He immediately underwent 28 radiation treatments and six sessions of chemotherapy simultaneously in hopes of shrinking the tumor in his esophagus.
While waiting to receive the results of the treatment, Steven was scheduled for surgery to remove the tumor, he then received more bad news. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes surrounding his lungs. The cancer is now considered Stage 4 and has metastasized to his lungs and hip. Surgery is now no longer an option. Steven decided to undergo the highest dose of chemotherapy available while at home as a last resort in trying to beat the cancer with traditional treatments. Steven has become malnourished as the tumor interferes with his ability to eat and now requires a feeding tube placed in his lower abdomen.
At this time, we plan to enter Steven into a Phase I Clinical Trial at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. We hope this will give Steven more time by slowing down the progression of the cancer or placing it in remission. The clinical trial will require Steven and us to travel to Houston every two weeks for treatment. The financial stress of the never-ending medical bills, prescriptions, tests and travel expenses have placed a hardship on both Steven and our family. As difficult as it is to ask for financial assistance, the continuing medical and travel expenses are more than we could have ever imagined and have taken a toll on all of us. We have realized that without outside help we may not be able to continue to seek treatment for our son’s cancer.
Steven enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2011, immediately following graduation from Edwardsville High School. After basic training he was stationed in San Diego, CA at Imperial Beach Naval Station. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Steven achieved the rank of GM3 and was assigned to the USS Antietam, USS Cowpens, and finally the Coastal Riverine Squadron Three. Steven was deployed to Japan where he and his shipmates underwent a hull swap between the USS Antietam and the USS Cowpens. Steven left Japan to be reassigned to the Riverine Squadron Three. During his station with the Riverine Squadron he was deployed twice to Fujairah, UAE and other parts of the middle east to patrol the ports of entry and provide security at several military installations.
Thank you for considering our request. We deeply appreciate any gift you are willing to give. Please keep Steven in your prayers.
