Aa
Not such a Happy Thanksgiving this year, Sorry .
No one ever likes bad news regardless of the time of year. Both of my sons are in the Army, my youngest 25 son, went the ER back in August for what they thought was a cold and maybe a pulled chest muscle. They did CT scan gave him some pain meds.
Brandon returned to the ER just over two weeks ago, same problems and getting worse, so they repeated the CT scan the ER Dr didn't like scan and requested yet another scan, they found a large mass on his thymus and its wrapped its around a artery , it is pressing on a nerve causing the cold or flu like symptoms and his left is filling up, they kept him over night drained his lung the next day. This has effected his left kidney and has caused it to start to atrophy.
He was released, an appointment was made to see cardiothoracic surgeon and schedule a biopsy, After his appointment with the surgeon the Dr didn't think doing a biopsy was good option because it might spread the cancer,
A few days later he was admitted again to the hospital, the Army is good at taking care of most wounded soldiers and they really don't have a lot of experience treating soldiers with cancer, and especially as young as he is.
They decided they need to transfer him to Fort Gordon Army hospital four hours away, so off in the ambulance he went, it was nearly five hours after being checked in before they gave morphine .
From what we understand at this point from the last hospital , surgery isn't an option only chemo, we will find out more today we hope.
We text a lot because its to painful for him to talk, he loves the Army and said his career is over, we are concerned about just saving his life.
So this Thanksgiving give all those that you love or care about an extra big HUG.
Your thought and prays are greatly appreciated .
John.
I'm sorry if I made any typos or missed words..
Brandon returned to the ER just over two weeks ago, same problems and getting worse, so they repeated the CT scan the ER Dr didn't like scan and requested yet another scan, they found a large mass on his thymus and its wrapped its around a artery , it is pressing on a nerve causing the cold or flu like symptoms and his left is filling up, they kept him over night drained his lung the next day. This has effected his left kidney and has caused it to start to atrophy.
He was released, an appointment was made to see cardiothoracic surgeon and schedule a biopsy, After his appointment with the surgeon the Dr didn't think doing a biopsy was good option because it might spread the cancer,
A few days later he was admitted again to the hospital, the Army is good at taking care of most wounded soldiers and they really don't have a lot of experience treating soldiers with cancer, and especially as young as he is.
They decided they need to transfer him to Fort Gordon Army hospital four hours away, so off in the ambulance he went, it was nearly five hours after being checked in before they gave morphine .
From what we understand at this point from the last hospital , surgery isn't an option only chemo, we will find out more today we hope.
We text a lot because its to painful for him to talk, he loves the Army and said his career is over, we are concerned about just saving his life.
So this Thanksgiving give all those that you love or care about an extra big HUG.
Your thought and prays are greatly appreciated .
John.
I'm sorry if I made any typos or missed words..
Hi John,
I am truly sorry about about your son. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are sincerely with you and Brandon. I pray the chemotherapy is a huge success! Please keep us all posted!
Xxxx Deb
I am truly sorry about about your son. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are sincerely with you and Brandon. I pray the chemotherapy is a huge success! Please keep us all posted!
Xxxx Deb
I'm so sorry to hear about your boy - I've heard so many success stories about people with cancer that have been treated and got better. I also had a good friend that passed away earlier this year with leukemia. So you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
I want to thank everyone for their support, If you take anything away from this saga it's this, Let the small things in your life roll off your back and truly appreciate the ones you love
Brandon is able to eat today and since they drained his lungs again he was able to cut back on the morphine.
We able to secure a room for Erica at FisherHouse. She can free of charge as long as Brandon is in the Hospital, a local church cooked for every one staying there, it was her first night, and she broke down and cried everyone has treated her so wonderful . One person even offered to gas up her car.
.
Here's a copy of portion of a note from Brandon that he shared with several of us. He felt like he would be admitted to the hospital .
so Brandon wrote this.
Today, we are getting family photos taken. Connor, Lilly, Erica and myself. I'm in a bit of pain but the painkillers are holding most of it back. I'm hoping everything goes well and I can put on a damned good show, hiding the pain that I feel today. This is our first session of photos we are taking as a family and I am very excited.
Talking with Erica a bit ago, I've come to the conclusion that I am proud to have served my country should this be the end of my military career. I'm glad that I got to serve in Iraq as well. I would love to continue my military service, but this may be the end of a career I truly loved.
thank you everyone, and to my wife that has this double whammy hit her, a gravely ill, son and her husband with this darn MS.
Now don't over eat on Thursday
John.... thank again... forum family
Brandon is able to eat today and since they drained his lungs again he was able to cut back on the morphine.
We able to secure a room for Erica at FisherHouse. She can free of charge as long as Brandon is in the Hospital, a local church cooked for every one staying there, it was her first night, and she broke down and cried everyone has treated her so wonderful . One person even offered to gas up her car.
.
Here's a copy of portion of a note from Brandon that he shared with several of us. He felt like he would be admitted to the hospital .
so Brandon wrote this.
Today, we are getting family photos taken. Connor, Lilly, Erica and myself. I'm in a bit of pain but the painkillers are holding most of it back. I'm hoping everything goes well and I can put on a damned good show, hiding the pain that I feel today. This is our first session of photos we are taking as a family and I am very excited.
Talking with Erica a bit ago, I've come to the conclusion that I am proud to have served my country should this be the end of my military career. I'm glad that I got to serve in Iraq as well. I would love to continue my military service, but this may be the end of a career I truly loved.
thank you everyone, and to my wife that has this double whammy hit her, a gravely ill, son and her husband with this darn MS.
Now don't over eat on Thursday
John.... thank again... forum family
So sorry to hear this news John. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...
Michelle
Michelle
John, thanks for sharing this with all of us here. I know that you know that we are always here for you - with MS issues or other things that come into our lives. We're here to support you. We were just talking about our family members in the Army between the two of us.
I'm sending positive thoughts your way and to your son, Brandon's. I really hope the chemo will DESTROY the cancer. My dad's was also in his chest and in-operable because for one thing, it was wrapped around an artery. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised that the radiologist didn't catch it on the ct scan in the ER. I still say that the imaging that we have available still needs to be much more improved and of course the radiologists reading it need to be helped, too.
I hope that you are able to go see him sometime soon.
Hugs,
Kelly
I'm sending positive thoughts your way and to your son, Brandon's. I really hope the chemo will DESTROY the cancer. My dad's was also in his chest and in-operable because for one thing, it was wrapped around an artery. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised that the radiologist didn't catch it on the ct scan in the ER. I still say that the imaging that we have available still needs to be much more improved and of course the radiologists reading it need to be helped, too.
I hope that you are able to go see him sometime soon.
Hugs,
Kelly
This is no time to blame anyone for not doing more for Brandon when he first went to the ER, but what the heck happened there and why didn't they tell him to get follow up? I know they don't expect things like this in his age, but again, how could this happen.
You mentioned that he is going to get chemo, which hopefully will shrink the tumor. Perhaps it may be operable when the tumor gets smaller.
Your dear son has many things on his side. He is young and resiliant and nothing will beat him as he is a solidiar and will fight this. I am thinking of you and your son and as you requested from us I will give my own son a big hug when I see him tomorrow.
Hang in there John.
Julie
You mentioned that he is going to get chemo, which hopefully will shrink the tumor. Perhaps it may be operable when the tumor gets smaller.
Your dear son has many things on his side. He is young and resiliant and nothing will beat him as he is a solidiar and will fight this. I am thinking of you and your son and as you requested from us I will give my own son a big hug when I see him tomorrow.
Hang in there John.
Julie
John,
So sorry to hear of this sad news but again, as Shell said, he has his youth and fit body on his side. I know as a parent how hard this must be, especially since you can't be there with him.
I have a daughter the same age and understand how hard this is hitting. I also have a son who had medical condiitons they thought he wouldn't survive , but he did. So I truly know your grief but keep hope. My son is a young adult and doing okay. My prayer is your son will fight this and come out a winner on the other side.
You, your son and the rest of your family are in my thoughts and prayers and I mean it sincerely. Please keep us updated.
With hugs and prayers,
Ren
So sorry to hear of this sad news but again, as Shell said, he has his youth and fit body on his side. I know as a parent how hard this must be, especially since you can't be there with him.
I have a daughter the same age and understand how hard this is hitting. I also have a son who had medical condiitons they thought he wouldn't survive , but he did. So I truly know your grief but keep hope. My son is a young adult and doing okay. My prayer is your son will fight this and come out a winner on the other side.
You, your son and the rest of your family are in my thoughts and prayers and I mean it sincerely. Please keep us updated.
With hugs and prayers,
Ren
I will keep your son and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I do so very much wish your son the best and pray the chemo does the job. Thank him for all he has done for us and let him know that a family in Kansas have him in our prayers. Please keep us informed. God bless.
John, I am really sorry to hear about your son. Try to think possitive, because there is someone looking out for you all. Like Shell I think that beeing young and strong will help him fighting this. I will keep you in my prayers.
My best regards,
Dagun
My best regards,
Dagun
John, glad you can at lest text with your son. I'm sure that brings both of you a little bit of comfort. Will keep you all in my prayers.
Raz
Raz
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