Help Ernie Walker Fight Mesothelioma

At the conclusion of a busy 2019 fire season Ernie started to develop fluid in his lungs which caused chest pain and limited his ability to breath normally.  He sought local medical advice and found short term relief from his symptoms having fluid drained over the winter months.  After 3 sessions to remove fluid, symptoms did not resolve and further testing in 2020 found scar tissue on and around his left lung.  Still not knowing the systemic cause of this scar tissue and in an effort to relieve pain and increase respiratory volume Ernie had surgery in the fall of 2020 to remove as much of the scar tissue as possible.  A biopsy of the scar tissue taken during the surgery led to an eventual diagnosis of Mesothelioma in late October 2020.  Mesothelioma, a malignant form cancer which has connections to inhaled asbestos fibers forming in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart was initially evaluated as Stage 3 cancer and effected Ernie’s lungs.  Ernie sought out an oncologist who had specialized experience in Mesothelioma and relocated to San Diego, CA to be close to family and start treatment at the University of California- San Diego Moore Cancer Center.

His initial treatment included a newly approved FDA series of drugs classified as Immunotherapy to reduce the mass of cancerous tumors forming in his body.  After a couple months of this treatment he was re-evaluated and the cancer was found to be still spreading, now effecting the lining of his heart.  Seeking a more aggressive treatment Ernie has started a more traditional form of Chemotherapy to combat the cancer.

Ernie has not been able to work since November due to the debilitating effects of cancer and the side effects of treatment.  Funds will help offset medical bills and provide some assistance to his family members who are providing care to Ernie during treatment.  Ernie hopes with successful treatment to be able to return to some capacity of active duty work for the US Forest Service in the summer of 2021.

Reach out and connect with Ernie.  Call, write, or virtually connect through Facetime or other sites.  Share a memory or story.  Keep him in your thoughts. 

Any help now will be or great assistance and reduce a stress from Ernie’s daily life so that he can focus on treatment and getting better.