Our younger brother Donald Leo (age 34) was diagnosed with a rare digestive system cancer called ampullary cancer. Ampullary cancer is considered life-threatening, and is less than 1% of cancers related to the gastrointestinal tract.

Donald’s cancer is an aggressive cancer that has formed in an area of the digestive tract called the ampulla of Vater. The only way to remove the cancer requires a major operation called (pancreaticoduodenectomy) aka the whipple procedure. This procedure involves an open belly operation to remove the tumor in the affected portion of the ampulla of vater and surrounding areas. Which means they will also remove the head of the pancreas, 1st part of the small intestine, gallbladder, the common bile duct, nearby lymph nodes, and a portion of the stomach. The operation will takes roughly 7-9 hours. Donald will be in ICU for 2 days, and in the hospital for at least a weeks. He will have tubes draining from his stomach for at least 4-6 weeks. This procedure will affect his normal quality of life for 6 months if not longer; since patients diagnosed with this type of cancer usually have reoccurrence cancer, Donald will be required to start chemotherapy treatment 6-10 week post-surgery. Doctors have made it very clear that Donald will spend the next year fighting to overcome this diagnosis. This means Donald will be unable to work for an extended period of time. Not working will create financial difficulties with a newborn, medical expenses, travel expenses, and basic living expenses. 
 Any donation or participation in local fundraiser’s would be greatly appreciated as we began to navigate this difficult season. Donald is scheduled to arrive at Ochsner Hospital in Baton Rouge on March 12 and schedule for surgery on March 13 at 5am.  If you are unable to financially assist, please continue to keep him in your prayers.