Hello, family and friends.

Brandon’s parents, Jim and Tonya, will update this page so you can join us on this journey to beat cancer. Feel free to leave messages for Brandon, Kristen or anyone in our family in the comments section, as we will all read those and do appreciate your support and prayers along the way.

Just to bring everyone up to speed, here’s a timeline that brings us to where we are today:

April 25 – Brandon went in for an outpatient laparoscopic diagnostic procedure, during which the surgeon saw some suspicious cells and tissues. She removed his appendix and believed he had appendiceal cancer that may have spread through his abdomen, and she sent those tissues and cells for biopsy. The preliminary pathology showed it was not appendiceal cancer, but they suspected it might be peritoneal mesothelioma and sent the tissues out to another lab. This is an extremely rare cancer affecting around 1 in 2 million, and there are only a few labs in the US who have the capability to diagnose it.

May 5 – Pathology came back confirming primary peritoneal mesothelioma.

May 10 – Met with Dr. Al-Kasspooles (oncology surgeon) at KU Cancer Center for a pre-op consultation on CRS/HIPEC surgery to remove as many of the cancerous cells and tissues as possible and flush the abdomen with warm chemo. This surgery averages 10 hours and will be done on May 25. We are very confident that we have one of the best surgeons with extensive experience doing this surgery.

May 11 – Met with Dr. Chintala (medical oncologist) at KU Cancer Center to discuss post-op treatment. Dr. Chintala told us that since this is such a rare cancer, there is no established protocol for follow-up treatment. She strongly recommended Brandon look into clinical trials at one of the major cancer research hospitals, as there is no current clinical trial for this type of cancer at KU. We were fortunate to get a referral from a well-respected local oncologist to the MD Anderson Cancer Center expert for peritoneal mesothelioma, and we will be contacting him to enroll in a clinical trial as soon as possible.

Our family will fight this with everything we have! Avery Grace has two (of her favorite) words to say to cancer. “No! Stop!” And everyone who knows that little girl knows that cancer better pay attention!

40 thoughts on “Hello, family and friends.

  1. All the very best. May god heal and give strength to Brandon. I will keep watching this space for updates on his health and recovery.

  2. I am here for you my Brother. please please let me know if there is anything I can for you at anytime of the day. Prayers ….

  3. Thank you so much for creating this site and all of the people can see Brandon’s progress! All of the folks at work will sure miss his smile while he is out. Many thoughts and prayers are being sent his way!

  4. Thinking of you and your family! If there’s anything I can ever do for anyone please reach out. Sending all my love!

  5. Ugh. Sorry brother. You can beat this if anyone can. Stay positive. Please, if you need ANYTHING, don’t hesitate to let us know. A dinner, a sitter, a ride, a hug, the yard mowed, a royals game, ANYTHING, please call us. the Fitches love you!

  6. Prayers for you and your family Brandon. You are strong and will beat this little set back, we are with you every step of the way.

  7. Thanks for letting me know. Tell Brandon good luck I know he will beat it.

  8. With every passing moment a new one arrives. A new moment of hope for the next moment. There is much to hope for and good reason -research and treatment gets better everyday.

  9. Prayers for Brandon and your family. With all the love, courage and the prayers you will win the battle over cancer. Never give up. You are not alone as we are all with you.

  10. Brandon, Jim and Tonya, we are so sorry to hear of Brandon’s health situation and want you to know that thoughts and prayers go out to you! We will follow your postings and will look forward to improvement and positive feedback. You must know that we will become prayer warriors for all the family and wishing you well on the 25th…….please don’t hesitate to let us know that if there is anything we could do to help we would be happy to. Best wishes to all.
    Hugs, your friends The Peine’s. Ben and Sharon

  11. Jim & Tonya, my prayers go out to all of you …. and as was said earlier by Alison, “Stupid ass Cancer”

  12. Brandon, Kristen, Jim and Tonya –
    I have been trying to find words….. there really aren’t any that are sufficient.
    I love you all and pray for the best. I’m just so sorry you all have to deal with this.
    Please don’t hesitate to ask if there is any way I can help.

  13. Brandon, Kristen and Family,
    We are thinking of you, sending prayers and strength your way. We are there to help in any way we can.
    Mike and Diane

  14. Brandon and Family,
    I am praying for a fast recovery because you will beat this stay positive Buddy you got this if you all need anything at all please don’t hesitate to ask.

  15. Brandon

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know you will beat this with your usual grace and humor. Stay strong and know we are all behind you!

  16. I am always here for any or all of you. I love you like a brother. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.
    POSITIVE VIBES!

  17. Jim, Ed shared this with me and I want you to know your wonderful family is very much in my positive thoughts and prayers! And, I too agree with Ed & Alison – STUPID ASS CANCER! All my best – Cathie Butenas Godsey

  18. I am so sorry to hear this. You all have such an amazing and beautiful family. Keep your chins up, together you can beat this and continue to have many many MANY more wonderful years together.❤️❤️❤️

  19. You just went to the VERY top of my prayer list Brandon. All my love and support to you and your sweet family. Want you to get well soon and get back to what you love to do! xoxoxo

  20. Brandon, I’m stunned to hear this but know you are a fighter and will beat this! If you need anything at all please let me know (groceries, dinner, anything). I’ll be thinking of you and your family.

    `Heather Faulkner

  21. Brandon, I was very sad to hear this news. However, I am confident that you will BEAT this because you are a fighter. You have such a good heart and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, as well as your family. I love you friend!

  22. Brandon and family, I wanted you to know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I believe everything in life has a purpose and that you will overcome this challenge. Stay positive and strong and beat this cancer. God bless you and yours.

  23. Brandon, Jim, Tonya, and the rest of the family, I was shocked to hear about this. Thank you very much for reaching out and providing information and updates as you fight, and BEAT this. It’s always hard to know what to say when something like this happens, but I’ve been thinking about you all a lot since I found out and, I can truly say that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep fighting the good fight brother, you’ve got this! Miss y’all and much love.

    Mick

  24. Brandon and Family,

    You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this trying time in your life. Fight like you’ve never fought before and beat the hell out this cancer. You have a great support team behind you that I’m sure will fight just as hard. #No!Stop!

  25. Brandon, Kristen, Tonya and Jim. We have not been in the loop but just a few days. We will be watching for all updates. We are sending you our love ❤️ and prayers along with your family and many friends for you to beat this. Uncle Mike and Sharyn

  26. God knew before you were born that this cancer would come upon you, and He has already made provision for you. Faith and prayer are your tools. God’s grace is a gift. I love you and your family, Brandon.

  27. I was shocked to hear this news but you can fight it and win ! Stay positive ! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

  28. Dearest Brandon

    Rich and I are sending prayers to you and your family. I was so sorry to hear this news but am hopeful that you will beat this. It sounds like you have some good doctors and you are a strong person with a lot to live for. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

  29. Prayers for you and your family. You will be fine soon. Stay Positive and Strong.

  30. I’ll be praying for you Brandon. I’ll let my friends know as well. God is the Great Physician and He knows the bodies He created and those He gifted to help fix them.

  31. Hey “B” I’m sorry hear whats going on but you are up for the battle and with your family’s support and the Grace of God,you WILL make it, I am sending prayers up for your speedy recovery.

    Kathy S

  32. Brandon, I believe prayer is so powerful, I hope you and your family find comfort in the prayer to the Holy Spirit to fight the good fight and was prayed for you and yours today.

    Come, Holy Spirit, fill Brandon’s heart with Your holy gifts.
    Let his weakness be penetrated with Your strength this very day. Let my charity be such as to offend no one, and hurt no one’s feelings. Assist Brandon, O Holy Spirit, in all his trials of life, enlighten him in with hope, advise him in his doubts, strengthen him in his weakness, help him in all his needs, protect him in temptations and console him in afflictions.
    Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour Your light into his heart, his soul, and his mind. Amen

    Praying for you, Karen

  33. Brandon and Kristen, I am just now hearing about this and am stunned. Know that I am praying for you and know that you will come out on top of this. Know also that you are cared for deeply not just by your family, but by your Teva Family also.

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