Dayton Frederick's Battle with Rare Cardiac Sarcoma, Second Time

Dayton's Initial Diagnosis and Treatment

• 💡 Dayton Frederick, a 23-year-old from Wisconsin, is facing a rare and aggressive cancer for the second time.
• 🩺 His first battle began in October 2021 with a primary cardiac sarcoma, diagnosed after experiencing dizzy spells and breathing difficulties.
• 🏥 Doctors discovered a lime-sized tumor on his heart valve, leading to two emergency open-heart surgeries to remove it and a subsequent blood clot.
• 💔 He was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoma, a cancer affecting 0.1% of cancer patients, with a grim prognosis of no one living longer than eight years.

Recurrence and New Challenges

• 🗓️ After completing 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation by May 2022, Dayton felt unwell again in November 2024.
• 💥 He experienced excruciating back pain, later identified as a 30% compression fracture in his T6 vertebrae and a 10 cm metastatic sarcoma tumor.
• ⚠️ This new tumor, grapefruit-sized, is located behind his lungs, attached to his spine within the rib cage, and is nearing collapse of his right bronchial tube.
• ⚡ The tumor itself causes debilitating pain, described as feeling it move and shift, leading to intense pain flares.

Current Treatment and Outlook

• 🚫 Radiation treatment had to be stopped after 3 weeks as Dayton reached the maximum lifetime dosage for that area.
• 💊 Doctors are now attempting other chemo treatments, but the outcome is uncertain due to the tumor's size, aggressiveness, and resistance to past treatments.
• 🏥 They have stated the cancer is not curable, but they will attempt to kill it, leaving Dayton in a state of limbo.

Living with Cancer and Community Support

• ✈️ To create positive experiences, Dayton and his family are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon and focusing on things he can experience.
• 💖 The community support has been a significant driving force for Dayton during his journey.
• 🗣️ He emphasizes the importance of not letting loved ones go through this alone, suggesting companionship and conversation.
• 😔 Dayton advises giving oneself permission to grieve the future that was planned but may now be different.