Caymanian Devin Bodden (Dev), 39, recently passed away after battling cancer for almost four years. Many have shared an outpouring of support for the family and continue to encourage people to donate in light of this tragic development.
A GoFundMe Page called Dev Strong was set up shortly after his diagnosis in 2015.
Dev, as he was affectionately known was a dedicate husband to Erin and father to his four children. He was a hard-working immigration officer, a car enthusiast and friend to everyone he met.
In 2015 as they were preparing to move into their home Dev discovered a lump on the inside of his right thigh. According to the GoFundMe story the doctor initially thought it was a muscle tear, but it turned out to be Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL), a Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
He underwent a successful surgical procedure coupled with chemotherapy and radiation treatment in Miami, FL. The treatment was successful, and he went back up for check-ups regularly–getting regular “all clear” results each time. We thanked and praised God that there was no sign of the disease! Dev felt well again and returned to work just a few short months after the diagnosis.
In March 2018, Dev developed a persistent cold which developed into severe stomach pain. After a hospital visit it was confirmed that the cancer had now spread to his lymph nodes, stomach and neck. The aggressive cancer now required a bone marrow transplant and was able to locate a family member. His care was then moved to Moffitt Cancer Center, in Tampa FL, because of their specialty care for Lymphoma and other blood cancers.
Before the transplant could take place, he would need to achieve remission. While taking a clinical trial drug for a two-month period, Devin was diagnosed with HLH Syndrome (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis), in August 2018.
The extremely rare syndrome was triggered in his body by the T-Cell Lymphoma and added a layer of complication to his treatment. The HLH caused fevers daily for weeks…sometimes as high as 104 degrees. With an enlarged spleen and liver, and a declining liver function, the doctors said the HLH was more serious than the cancer and so his cancer treatment was paused for eight weeks while he began a new treatment regime for the HLH including Lumbar Puncture Infusions, Etoposide Infusions and heavy doses of steroids.
The delicate balance of treatment for the cancer and treatment for the HLH while keeping organ operation stable proved to be a challenge, but his doctors felt optimistic that a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) would be possible in late November 2018. The BMT would involve staying in Tampa another three months.
Sadly, on October 15, his doctors confirmed the cancer has now spread to his blood. Despite their best efforts on Thursday 10, January 2019 Dev lost his battle. His wife updated the GoFundMe page with this:
“On Thursday 10 January 2019, my best friend, husband, life partner and father of my children went home to be with Jesus. My heart is broken and I apologize for taking time to notify you all but we had to notify some key family members of the news first and there were some health concerns and logistics behind that. In addition I chose to fly home to be with the children as soon as I could and be by their side when they received the news so that I could comfort them during this sad and frightening time for them. We give thanks in all circumstances knowing that God's plan is still at work and He has taken Devin home to his eternal house in heaven.
We thank everyone for their prayers, outpouring of love, donations, meals, visits at the hospital, hugs, caring for our children and so much more. I can't encompass all that has been done for us but we feel so loved and blessed despite this tragic moment in time. We will update you all on funeral arrangements as they become available.”
She also confirmed that the GoFundMe account would remain open a bit longer with updates provided on the funeral arrangements.
During his treatment and diagnosis many supported him with gifts, donations, visits and well wishes. The GoFundMe account has reached almost half of its goal and the team here at Cayman Marl Road wish to encourage others to still donate. One site administrator noted:
“During a time like this there would still be numerous expenses from his medical treatments and now the funeral. This young family has been hit by an immense lose and I hope that the community with rally behind them to make losing their husband and father a little more bearable.”
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