Ben’s Story

Site created on December 28, 2021

Welcome to Ben Ramaeker's CaringBridge website which we are using it to keep family and friends updated on his journey. Feel free to share this site with others as well. 

On 12/27/21 Ben was officially diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes. Ben is determined to face this challenge head on with positivity and strength and with the support from all of you! We know he will get through this because of the great community that has rallied behind him for which we are very appreciative! 

We thank you all for your words of encouragement and for all of your support through the GoFundMe fundraiser, MealTrain, care packages, messages, prayers, and any other way that you have reached out or helped Ben during his fight over these past few months. 

As a quick note, the "Tributes" on the CaringBridge page go directly to Caringbridge.org to support the organization's platform, but are NOT received by Ben.  Also due to folks generosity we have received many blankets, journals, hats, socks & pillows. We are certainly appreciative for all of the gifts and are well stocked with these specific items.  :-)

If you are interested in supporting Ben please view the "Ways To Help" tab with more information and/or consider contributing to his GoFundMe campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ben-ramaeker-cancerfight. 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Ben Ramaeker

Ben had a great appointment yesterday morning at Moores Cancer Center (MCC) with Dr. Botta, his primary oncologist. We were able to reconnect with some of the staff we know, meet with his social worker in-person and connect with Dr. Botta's nurse as well. We had 2 visits to MCC yesterday, Ben's morning appointment then back in the afternoon for timed labs for he & I both so lots of time spent at the clinic. There was a medical accident/incident that occurred as Ben & I were walking into MCC yesterday which fortunately we were there to assist the person cancer patient involved ended up being okay, but we were both left pretty shaken up. 

During the meeting with Dr. Botta we were able to review Ben's CT scans. His chest CT was unchanged, specifically for the 3 previous small spots of concern in thr lungs, which is great news because that likely means the spots could be considered not cancerous. For his abdomen/pelvis CT it showed that his colorectal area is clear post surgery which showed a good recovery and no regrowth which is also great news! The only area that is being difficult, which is not unexpected, is Ben's liver. On his liver, 3 small lesions showed a decrease in size from the last scan and 1 area showed an enlargement. However, for the enlarged area it's hard to tell if it is cancerous or scar tissue or something else. Therefore Ben will be consulting with radiology oncology next week to gain their insights if radiation might be the next best step. Additionally Ben's case will be presented to the colorectal tumor board again next Monday, with intended discussion about his liver & feedback from his liver surgeon Dr. Schnickel. Fortunately there are options on the table including but not limited to: radiation, ablation, surgery options (wedge resection, removing 1 of the liver lobes, etc.), hepatic arterial pump to deliver chemo directly to just the liver and/or liver transplant. From a positive perspective Ben is handling everything that is being thrown his way very well which has allowed his medical team to come up with options. Another positive even though Ben will likely need to continue chemo for a bit longer, they are pausing on the EGFR inhibitor Vectibix (which causes his rash & sun sensitivity) since it is most effective when pulsed on & off, and are instead switching him back to the Avastin drug. In a weird way to say, this made Ben & I very happy to hear so he can take advantage of the longer days in the sun.

While we're in this waiting period for the next week or so, this will allow Ben the opportunity to regain some strength & get in some good sleep, meals & exercise. Tomorrow he has physical therapy which he has been progressing & in the afternoon he has a follow-up with Dr. Dang in Dermatology (who is amazing!) to hopefully help his rash calm down. He already did a fun peloton ride with one of his friends, rearranged our living room furniture & cooked up some great meals! Not to mention he's been such an amazing husband & partner taking care of me these past few weeks with my appointments and not feeling very well during the end of this 1st trimester. We're glad to have each other & to be able to enjoy the small moments that make us smile & laugh. 

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