Charity Stripe
Our friends at Gruber Law Offices will make a donation to the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center for every Wisconsin Men's Basketball made free throw at all home games this season!
You can help too!
There are over 30,000 new cancer cases in Wisconsin each year! Nearly everyone has been or will be affected by this disease in their lifetime, but through these types of partnerships we all can play a part in helping to find a cure! Join us in our determined fight to put an end to this horrible disease.
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Gruber Law Offices, LLC
The team at Gruber Law Offices, LLC is deeply committed and connected to our community. We take great pride in knowing that not only is our reputation throughout Wisconsin as a dedicated personal injury law firm, but also as a team of caring and compassionate individuals who give back to the communities we serve.
Gruber Law Offices, LLC is a proud partner of numerous charitable causes including the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, MACC Fund, Susan G. Komen of SE Wisconsin, Make a Wish Wisconsin and Operation DREAM. Our philosophy is that we can all make a difference in the lives of others and that together, we can make this world a better place.
UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center
The UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center holds the unique distinction of being the only comprehensive cancer center in Wisconsin, as designated by the National Cancer Institute, the lead federal agency for cancer research. Every day on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus, thousands of dedicated individuals work meticulously to find the best ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat cancer. An integral part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, the Carbone Cancer Center unites physicians and scientists who work together in translating discoveries from research laboratories into new treatments that benefit cancer patients. More than 30,000 people are seen annually for diagnosis, therapy, follow-up care or consultations at UW Hospital and Clinics, as well as our other clinical locations.
Who Your Donations Impact
Laine
Our daughter Laine Meske was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on September 17th, 2017, when she was just 9 months old. What started out as a normal childhood ear infection, turned into multiple reoccurring ear infections that did not get better with antibiotics. We made the decision to take her to the Emergency Department at American Family Children’s hospital to try and get her some relief from the pain she seemed to be having from her double ear infection and have some swelling in her face evaluated. After the doctor team looked in Laine’s ears, they noted she still did have an ear infection and wanted to run some tests to make sure she didn’t have an infection in her face from her ears. Following a CT scan of her face/head and some blood work drawn, one of the doctors came in to go over the results. Words were spoken to us that we never imagined we would hear: “We think your daughter has cancer.” Time stood still and we had to no idea what to expect next. The CT scan confirmed there was swelling in her face from masses. We were terrified for our little girl. She couldn’t even talk yet or understand what was going on.
We were admitted up to the Oncology/Hematology floor that night at AFCH for Laine’s first month long inpatient stay. We did not know what the treatment plan would be until a couple of days later once her first bone marrow biopsy resulted and showed Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Laine’s chemotherapy plan consisted of multiple days of chemo infusions with time spent in the hospital after the chemo was given to allow for her cell count to recover. Initially, there were only supposed to be 4 rounds of chemotherapy, however, thanks to some research that had been done by some physicians at AFCH and Carbone, a 5th round of treatment was added to hopefully eliminate all leukemia cells and result in remission. Throughout the course of treatment, multiple blood and platelet transfusions, pain medication and daily blood draws from her central line were needed in addition to countless other tests and medications to support her care and needs through chemotherapy. Laine’s first bone marrow biopsy showing no evidence of disease was in October 2017. Laine completed her Chemotherapy Treatment in April 2018 and has remained in remission- currently 8 years cancer free! Now, Laine is a 3rd grader who loves horseback riding, playing volleyball, singing country music and being with her friends and family! We can’t thank AFCH and the Carbone Center enough for helping take care of our daughter!
Samuel
Samuel was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma on his 3rd birthday, November 28, 2015. Dr. Desantis mapped Samuel’s care plan and we were shocked to learn it would take 1 year. Ultimately, it took almost 2 & ½ years. Induction chemo cycles, 2 10-hour surgeries, participation in clinical trials including the first ever trial using radioactive I-131 MIBG, 2 stem cell transplants, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and 6 months of nerve cell treatments.
Initially we researched whether Dr. Desantes and American Family Children’s Hospital were the best place for Samuel. My retired physician brother-in-law counselled us on the questions to answer for ourselves…Do we have access to talk directly with Dr. Desantes, Is he responsive, has he offered to help get a second opinion. Dr. Desantes assured us that if he believed that Samuel needed care that wasn’t available at AFCH, he would support us in any way we needed.
I remember thinking that I needed to learn all I could about neuroblastoma so I could ensure Samuel received the best care. I soon realized that there wasn’t time to learn enough to contribute. I shared my concern with Dr. Desantes and he explained the experience and expertise he had acquired and could bring to Samuel’s care which freed me to just be the parent. My family witnessed genuine compassion from Dr. Desantes and we came to trust him completely.
We didn’t have family in the area to support us and we struggled to figure out how to be with Samuel in the hospital and yet be good parents to Samuel’s brother, Maxfield. One of the nurses suggested that one of us must be with each of the boys, one at home and one at AFCH. For the next 2& ½ years, neither son was ever alone.
The Child Life staff and nurses helped to make Samuel’s worst days bearable. We have no idea where Samuel got the idea, but he decided to set a bear trap in the hospital hallway. Staff always made sure that Samuel found something in the trap every morning. And even on the worst days, Samuel would get out of bed and check his trap and find a small animal figure.
Samuel’s treatment included 5-days in isolation in the MIBG room. Because the radiation was so strong, only staff and me in special gear could be near him. Child Life helped decorate the MIBG room to make it look like a spaceship to make the 5-day treatment an adventure and less frightening to a 3 year old boy. A photo that brings tears to Annie and my eyes every time we see it is one of Samuel curled up and hugging one of the therapy dogs.
From the beginning, American Family Children’s Hospital provided a complete care team led by Dr. Desantes and his colleagues, Fellows, Nurse Practitioner Lisa Keller, nurses, psychologist, social workers, child life, physical therapy, CNAs, housekeeping. Nurses Luray Hovey, Lynnae Meinholz and Lisa Andler have become very special to our family.
The team at American Family Children’s Hospital not only cared for Samuel physically. They helped our family navigate our emotional journey through love, grief, fear, worry, relief and thankfulness. Spiritually, I believe we witnessed the hand of God at work and only he knows if anything is more worthy of support than the healing of children and supporting their families by the people and places like American Family Children’s Hospital.
