Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
You might be surprised to learn that this is not Kevin’s first battle with cancer. As a matter of fact, it’s his fourth. None of the cancers are related or the result of a previous one spreading. The doctors at the Mayo are calling him a very unique case.
Kevin’s history of cancer involves a seminoma found in 2013, a melanoma in 2018, and another melanoma in 2019. With the previous cancer diagnosis, he was fortunate to have found each one very early. Each one was surgically removed with very little side effects. Subsequent tests and scans showed no reoccurrence or spread. He did not share those diagnosis publicly and worked through them privately with his family and close friends. With his recent cancer diagnosis, the side effects and length of recovery will be much more difficult. He thought it would be a good idea to utilize Caring Bridge to keep his extended family and friends updated on his status.
Kevin has what’s called a carcinoid tumor in his left lung. This tumor was diagnosed through surgical removal in late July. It was discovered during surgery that the tumor was attached to his main bronchus (airway). The surgeon removed as much of the tumor as possible without effecting his airway. After a few weeks of recovery, Kevin went back to the Mayo for special scan called a Dotatate PET scan. This scan discovers carcinoid tumors better than a standard PET scan. At the time, it showed no more cancer active in his body. This was great news! The Mayo did schedule him for another PET scan in November for a follow up.
But Kevin’s coughing continued. He was told he would have a cough for some time after surgery due to scar tissue. But the coughing continued. His PET scan in November showed uptake again in his left lung. A bronchoscopy was scheduled the next morning to take a sample of what was in his lung. The sample revealed the carcinoid tumor had returned. Unfortunately these tumors do not respond to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The only way to treat the tumor is to remove it. With the tumor being attached to a main bronchus (airway), the only way to remove it is to remove his entire left lung.
Surgery to remove Kevin’s left lung scheduled for January 3rd. He is to remain in the hospital until at least January 7th. His discharge from the hospital depends on how well he is recovering from surgery. Once discharged, the doctors are saying home recovery is going to be difficult. They are saying it’s going to be at least a month before a feeling of normalcy starts to return.
Kevin and his family invite you to check this Caring Bridge site for updates on his surgery and recovery process. Please include them in your prayers.
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