Joseph’s Story

Site created on November 20, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. Anyone that is visiting this page knows that our Dad (Joe Bendas) has been struggling with Basal Cell Carcinoma Cancer for many years.  He has had multiple surgeries in the past 10 years to remove the cancer and each time it has come back.  In November 2018 we started seeking treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC.  After only 1 appointment it became clear that we were finally at the right place!!  On December 27th Dad started Oral Chemo to reduce the areas that the cancer had spread and to hopefully reduce the surgery Dad would ultimately need to finally be cancer free.  Dad stopped his Chemo treatments on May 15th and has been preparing his body for surgery.  The surgery is now set for Tuesday, August 6th at 7:30 am at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on York Ave in NYC.  The purpose of the surgery is to remove all cancer that is left on the top of his head - side of his face and in his neck.  After it is all removed Dad has an amazing team of Plastic Surgeons that are going to "put him back together" as they told us at our appointment last week.  Dad's Dr's and Nurses are some of the best in their field and he is in the best hands possible and we know that he will have a successful outcome from this surgery.  We are going to be using this page to keep family and friends updated in one place.  Dad, Adam, Danny and I all appreciate the love and support that has been shown to him during this and we appreciate your words of hope and encouragement.  We will update this site as often as possible during surgery and during Dad's recovery.  Please check it for updates and leave messages so that when Dad is up to reading them and reaching back out he can do so all from this once place.  Thank you again for your continued support!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Jaclyn Bendas

So first off I would like to apologize that it has been a month since an update on Dad and how he is progressing.  After getting back from NYC life took off for me and Matt.  All 5 kids headed back to school 3 in college and 2 in high school and honestly I lost track of how long it had been since my update.  So here is the update.  Post surgery Dad is doing remarkable well.  On Aug 22nd Dad and I and my nephew Joey went back to NYC for all of his follow up appointments.  All stitches were removed and the Dr's were amazed at how well he was healing and recovering.  At that visit he was given back his driving privileges which as you all know made him extremely happy!!  On September 9th Dad and I went back to his Plastic Surgeon for his 2nd follow up appointment where he was 100 cleared by Dr. Dayan to move forward with Radiation Therapy and that he could finally wear a hat!  So with that clearance Dad and I headed to Dr Barker on Sept 11th and started the Radiation Therapy process.  Dr. Barker explained that while the surgery was a huge success that all of Dad's Dr's are in agreement that moving forward with Radiation Therapy is the best next step.  The surgery left behind microscopic cancer cells that are not able to removed by Surgery or Chemo.  Radiation of the area of where Dad had surgery is the best option.  Unfortunately the first step of this process was seeing a Dentist as where the Radiation is will affect Dad's mouth and teeth.  Dad saw the Dentist on Sept 16th and has to have 6 teeth extracted before we can start Radiation Therapy.  He had 3 teeth extracted on Monday the 16th and 3 more will be extracted today.  We have to wait 2 weeks for that part of his mouth to heal properly.  So on Friday, October 4th Dad and I will head back to NYC to see Dr. Barker and his team who will perform the process of a simulation. Which happens in order to optimize the delivery of radiation therapy to the site or sites of the tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, so Dad will be put in the position as if the therapy will be administered and scans will be taken this is all part of the planning process to ensure the actual radiation is as accurate as possible.  They will also be creating a Radiation Mask that Dad will wear for every therapy to ensure his head is in the same spot.  The Radiation Therapy starts with this appointment then it takes 10 days for the mask to be made and sent to the Radiation Facility.  After that Dad's Radiation Therapy will begin at the Memorial Sloan Kettering site in Monmouth New Jersey.  Dad will have Radiation Therapy 5 days a week for 6 consecutive weeks.  Unfortunately this will take a toll on Dad and will come with some side effects.  However, this is the best option to give Dad the highest percentage of the cancer not coming back.  I know this is a lot for my Dad to take in and digest.  Since this process started in November 2018 there have been many stages.  Chemo from December to May caused him to not feel well and he was not able to live his normal busy life that he loves.  June was a visit to the Hospital with a Bleeding ulcer.  July was rebuilding his strength and getting ready for surgery.  August was surgery and healing and taking care of himself.  He feels great now and is at 100% which allows him to be busy doing what he does best donating his time and love to help others in his community but we are about to start another part that will leave him not feeling himself.  He will need love, support, prayers and maybe some visits during this time.  I promise I will update this site more often and continue to do so as I know so many of you following have reached out to me, Matt, our children or my Brothers checking and asking for an update.  The positive support Dad gets from this page and from all of you texting or calling or reaching out to him is truly wonderful and helps keep him positive.  Thank you all for everything and I will post an update on Friday, October 4th after our Radiation Simulation appointment!
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