UPDATE!!
1st round of chemo finished yesterday. No unexpected complications. Doctors are possibly going to push up round 2 by a week. Now, to keep him healthy until round 2.
Yesterday chest port was installed. Today cycle one of chemo begins for him. 6 days inpatient...
No evidence of disease in lungs. 3 rounds of chemo, 6 weeks of radiation, then 3 more rounds of chemo. Starting within 2 weeks.
On Thursday Terry was able to have his full body PET/CT Scan. These results will be used to see if the disease has spread anywhere, and to decide to absolute best and most appropriate treatment for him. We should know the results and treatment plan on Wednesday, the 8th. Please hope and pray for the best possible results...Thank you.
Please Help Terry Through His Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
My son Terry was recently diagnosed with a synovial sarcoma. Synovial sarcoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive soft tissue cancer, that has a tendency to spread to the patients lungs.
Terry had the symptoms of this tumor since the age of 14. We went to the doctors on numerous occasions, just to be ignored and told it was pain due to his being thin. Early this year, Terry went to an outside doctor who immediately noticed it was a tumor, and sent him for approriate tests. He had surgery last Wednesday, in which the primary tumor was removed. He just received the catastrophic diagnosis a few days ago, and are working to accept it. At the same time we were told thatsome of the treatment he will need, will not be covered. Including some of the important scans needed in order to properly stage and treat this disease.
Terry has always been a great kid. He did great in school, and he has worked since he was 15. He is an Electrical Engineering student and was hoping to transfer to UOP next Fall. He is engaged and has a 2 year old son, Joshua, who adores him. He has worked really hard to get where he is. Terry and his son live in a house they rent. Terry works fulltime while also going to school fulltime. He is a great father, son, brother and god willing, a husband someday. We have found him great doctors at UCSF. He just cannot afford all of the tests and treatments needed.
Terry has never liked asking anyone for help. He has always been a prideful person, and a hard worker. He has never expected something for nothing.
the doctor informed us that he will not be able to work through his treatment. Even if he is granted disability, he will not be able to afford the basic necessities of life, let alone cancer treatment. He will be having impatient chemotherapy and radiation treatment, once we are able to get all of the body scans needed, in order to see if it has spread. His best case scenario is missing months of work. We live 40 miles from the treatment center, where even parking is $28 a day.
We also want to do everything we can to make sure Terry does not have to drop out of school, as he has worked so hard to get to this point.
What We Need & Hope You Can Help With
Anticipated needs to get him and his family thru treatment:
- He needs to start with a PET scan which runs around $8000, prior to beginning treatment
- He will need follow up CT scans every 3-6 months
- We are hoping to raise enough to help with their rent, utilities and groceries while he is off of work, as well as transportation costs to and from the hospital.
- Other medical expenses and medications that are not or will not be covered
The Impact This Has Had
This diagnosis has been a huge blow to our entire family. Though no one deserves a cancer diagnosis, we cannot wrap our heads around this happening to Terry. He is a great young man loved by anyone who knows him. He is a terriffic father who has been hands on since his son Joshua's birth. He helps anyone who is in need, any chance he gets. I just want Terry to be able to get the cancer treatment he needs and deserves, in order to give him the best possible chance at a long life!
Other Ways You Can Help
I wanted to clear up some confusion. There is no minimun donation. Every cent counts and helps..
It was suggested to me that I put an alternative way to donate other then through this sight. Especially for larger donations, as they take a portion, as does paypal.
You can contact me via email at aprilephillips@comcast.net . Please be sure to include a return address so that we can thank you appropriately. Checks can simply be made out to Terry Richards.
Others have enquired about transportation needs. He would greatly appreciate gas cards, as the frequent trips to San Francisco are draining him. He has access to Shell, Chevron, and Safeway. Safeway gas is the cheapest in our area.
Please, get the word out. Share this with your co-workers, church, family, friends and social networks.
