Team Dennis: Fight the Fight for Burkitts Lymphoma

The Koch family has been facing a challenging battle since Dennis was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

On August 22, he was transferred to Oklahoma City for immediate care, with a bone biopsy scheduled to determine if the cancer had spread. Relying on faith and community support, they have been firm in trusting God's guidance throughout this journey.

By August 26, Dennis was accepted to Baylor Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, after being declined by nine other hospitals due to max capacity. He arrived safely on August 24 and began chemotherapy the following day. The family remained hopeful, praying for positive results as Dennis started treatment.

On September 5, Dennis had an oncology appointment, and it was determined that depending on his upcoming PET scan and spinal tap, his treatment could last either 9 or 18 weeks. Dennis would be admitted to St. John's Hospital for two weeks of intense chemotherapy, followed by one week home, and this pattern would repeat for at least three rounds. The doctors emphasized that they needed to approach the treatment aggressively to ensure its success.

By September 10, the PET scan revealed some cancer spots had returned in Dennis's abdomen, meaning the longer, 18-week chemo course would be necessary. His first stay in the hospital would be longer, involving dental extractions to prevent infections, and he would undergo eight spinal taps during this process. Despite the difficult road ahead, Dennis's doctors are confident that the cancer is curable, and the family holds strong in their faith that God will heal him. Chemo began that day, with unwavering belief that God will bring them through this.