Hi , and welcome to my website, and Thank You for allowing me to share my story with you. In 2004 I was on the top of the world. I had recently married, work was going well and I was settling into my new position. I had always been into fitness and the martial arts since I was a child. I had pretty much always considered myself very healthy but soon that was going to change. During July 2004 I became progressively ill and was unable to hold any food down without severe stomach pain. This pain continued to progress to where I could not eat at all without becoming severely ill. I spent many a sleepless nights in crippling pain. I lost about 38 pounds in a one month period. I saw several doctors and was eventually diagnosed with a large neoplasm which was crushing my small bowel. I underwent emergency surgery and a 6 pound tumor was removed from my small bowel during this time I hemmorhaged severely. The tumor and several surrounding lymph nodes all tested positive for Granulocytic Sarcoma which is basically the tumor borne form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. If you have Granulocytic Sarcoma you either already have AML or your going to get it. My first surgery did not go as planned and the wound developed an infection about a week after surgery. My surgeon opened the wound in the Emergency Room and cleaned it out. This lead to weeks of packing the open wound with 4x4 bandages. This was not successful. I required another surgery in which I had a Wound Vac placed in the wound. This was not succesful and I continued to develop wound infections and wound tunneling which required a painful regimen of repacking the wounds twice a day with packing strips. I had been on quite a emotional roller coaster as the cancer was spreading I was not healing and I was not going to chemo with the wound the way it was. Although I never quit my will to fight was starting to be taxed for the first time. A third surgery was soon to be performed. The third surgery was performed by Dr. Parikh of Temple University. He promised me two things that he could get me ready for chemo and that I would have never healed without this surgery as I had a suture reaction. I entered Fox Chase in December 2005 for my first round of chemo after nearly three months had passed since my initial diagnoses. I then returned in January for more chemo and a Autogenic Stem Cell Transplant under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Mangan of the Fox Chase Temple Bone Marrow Unit. I was released in late January and was home bound until April 26, 2005. I was released and returned back to work. In March 2006 I underwent surgery #4 for a large hernia in my abdomen. Basically my abdominal muscles split and tore this was by far one of the largest surgeries yet. However I was able to return to full duty at work in June 2006.
In April 2008 I underwent surgery #5 for an incisional hernia which I received at work while on duty. I am currently recovering from this surgery. I returned to full duty in September of 2008. I was blessed to be able to complete my career in Law Enforcement and retired on December 24, 2010. I served for over 25 years and gained great satisfaction in my career and the many fine officers I worked along side. They along with my family and friends gave me the support to complete my career.
I credit many things to my success in my treatment. First and foremost my Family, Friends and the many people who supported me. Clearly I would not have come this far without them. Then of course Dr. Mangan and Dr. Parikh without them I truly believe I would not have survived this. I tried my best to stay positive and I never forgot how lucky I was. Yes I was very sick and at times things looked bad. However in the cancer game you dont have to look to far to find someone who is worse off. I met many who were worse off but they never gave up and inspired me daily. They are the true heroes. This journey has been very difficult however many positive things have come from it as I have learned to appreciate what I do have and realize how easy it is to lose it all. I have many constant reminders of this disease however none more omni present then memories of many of the individuals that I have been humbled and honored to have known and befriended. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have supported me throughout this fight. All the support made the difference I can assure you. I currently work for a local hospital and enjoy interacting with patients and trying to pay it forward to them when ever I can!
For those you of you who either helped at my benefit or attended I am deeply indebted. Your kindness and assistance shall be payed forward to others!
Now with the past God willing behind us through all the chaos must come some harmoney and a vision towards the future. The Randys Kicking Cancer fund was established to assist others in their fight against cancer. Financial assistance is available for those in need. The war on cancer takes a heavy toll on the patients, the survivors, the families and the caretakers. We are a designated 501 (c) (3) Public Charity and the fund will now focus on paying it forward for all that everyone has done for me! We are proud supporters of organizations that have helped others on a daily basis. We have had the honor of assisting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Gildas Club of South Jersey, The Sarcoma Foundation, Shelby Richter Fund , Kaitlin Anzelone Foundation , Temple Bone Marrow Clinic and several individuals and their families. We have offered substantial financial support to these organizations for all they do for others. These organizations all offer support to those suffering from cancer and their families. Battling cancer is in every sense of the word a WAR we are proud to support the troops in the WAR AGAINST CANCER!
I was only able to do this with the Help of God, my family and my friends!
This site is dedicated the my mother Rosalie Clark who lost her battle with small cell lung cancer on October 07, 2007. She lived a life of love and service to others and inspired me to fight and win my battle.
To my son Steven my American Soldier I always promised you I would fight and come home I did Steve I have won. Its your turn now son serve with honor and come home to us all safe. Steven is currently serving in combat in Afghanistan with the United States Army 1st Armored Division 3rd Brigade Combat Team 1st Batallion 41st Infantry Regiment. We as a family support our troops and could not be prouder of their sacrifice and what they do for this country. Until They All Come Home!