John Ippolite
John A. Ippolite, was an exceptionally strong man and father who was a true soldier in battle against numerous difficult, complex rare medical conditions. John was a colon cancer, sepsis, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and asbestosis survivor. He battled hard against metastatic lung cancer caused by asbestosis for 18 months; but ultimately passed away from complications related to pneumonia, urosepsis and kidney failure. His superb hematologist, integrative medicine physician, gastroenterologist, kidney doctor and hospital and sub-acute medical professionals had been exceptional and instrumental in saving his life during his years of medical battles. (Sepsis and Pneumonia, Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections)
John’s Story:
John was on a 25th anniversary cruise with his beloved wife, Joan. During the cruise he fell ill with stomach pain and rectal bleeding. Upon returning home to NJ, he went through a battery of tests and was diagnosed with Stage 1 – colon cancer. (Sepsis and Cancer)
He was operated on at a NJ Hospital by a top colorectal surgeon and required a permanent colostomy bag. A week after surgery, he woke up in the middle of the night, quite feverish, weak and ill. (Sepsis and Surgery) He was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with sepsis. In the ICU, he was a 30% chance to live as he had 8 times normal of infection in his blood. He was intubated and doctors wanted to try an experimental medicine. We agreed, but never found out if he actually got the medicine or a placebo. There were numerous family and clergy visiting him and praying with him as his outlook was quite dismal. He was given the experimental medicine. The next day, he was out of bed, sitting in a chair with his favorite Italian hat on ready to be discharged! His dire medical situation had drastically changed overnight and he had no signs at all of sepsis! The doctors said there was no medical explanation at all for his sudden drastic improvement, and attributed it solely as a miracle healing from the Lord above! He had no future side effects from the sepsis.
John was then diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) which required monthly blood tests, Epogen injections and periodic blood transfusions to increase his hemoglobin levels over a 12 year period. He had multiple near death experiences, but continued to fight his way back!
John was then diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. He was battling asbestosis for decades which he acquired after helping in the building of the USS Kittyhawk at a PA shipyard. The asbestosis developed into metastatic lung cancer. He was given 3 months to live by NJ oncologist as he could not have any traditional cancer treatments due to his MDS. His Epogen injections and blood transfusions continued keeping him alive. He then developed a GI bleed; emergency surgery was performed by a top PA gastroenterologist surgeon at a PA Hospital who saved his life. He was then treated by an integrative medicine doctor in CA who prescribed natural medicine to beef up his immune system for his battle with cancer. John surprised all his medical professionals by surviving for 18 more months instead of the 3 months that were projected. The lung cancer remained limited to the bottom of one lung, however cancer in his lymph nodes and liver continued to increase slowly.
While in a sub-acute rehab, he acquired pneumonia like symptoms and a severe urinary tract infection and was rushed to the hospital. The NJ hospital immediately transferred him to a PA hospital ICU as he was in critical condition. The PA hospital did exceptional medical work keeping him alive for nearly 5 days; however between the pneumonia and urosepsis setting in, kidney function failing, liver full of cancer was all too much. (Sepsis and Kidney Failure) John sadly passed away shortly after his 50th wedding anniversary to Joan and 2 months shy of his 84th birthday after an extremely valiant battle against multiple serious medical conditions. We miss and love him very much!
Source: angela rehmus (daughter)
