Email from Barbara

Hi everyone,

Sorry to give you news this way, but we thought you would like to know that Trapper is very sick.

He has been diagnosed with Cancer and it has metastasized in the Liver. He had a MRI on his brain last week and it was determined that the cancer had not gone to his brain yet—GOOD NEWS! On Thursday he had a colonoscopy and the results came back negative for Colon Cancer—GOOD NEWS! Due to the liver not functioning properly his abdominal cavity fills with fluid. This is very painful as it moves all of the organs around and presses on the lungs. If you don’t see Trapper out and about it is because his is having difficulty breathing. Tuesday they drained 3.5 litres of fluid out of his abdomen. He sounded much better on the phone. He is on a schedule now to be drained every two weeks.

He is very tired and weak, but his spirits are still good (mostly) and his sense of humor is the same as ever. He lights up when we talk about Star sailing, of course, but he gets depressed when thinking about or talking about his illness.

Rob Emmet has contacted Pen Alexander (former Star sailor and world renowned heart surgeon) re: Veteran's hospital. Pen says that the DC VA hospital is the best. Pen has spoken to the head of Oncology there about Trappers situation and they are ready for him should he choose this course of action. Cathi Anderson, fellow sailor and cancer nurse has also been in touch with a doc at the VA.

John McLeod, EYC member and great friend of Traps, has been the backbone of Trapper’s getting around and being sure that he stays on track with appointments.

Trapper’s brother Paul has taken the lead dealing with the Docs and getting reports and asking all the pertinent questions. Paul has spoken with all each of the Docs as well as Pen and the Oncology guy at the VA. As soon as they have some word about what stage Trapper is in, the decision of treatment and hospitals will be made.

We can’t say enough here about the membership at EYC…..they have been with Trapper everyday, keeping him company, making special meals for him, etc.

Rest assured Trapper has a lot of support.

Last week we incorporated the Trapper Lippincott Support Fund, Inc as a not-for-profit entity and opened a bank account for receiving and dispersing funds (Steve Kling, Star sailor took care of this). Because Trapper is still being diagnosed it is not clear how much monetary assistance will be required. Anything you can contribute to this fund would go a long way in making certain Trapper receives the medical attention he needs and the necessities that will keep him comfortable.

We will keep you posted on the progress Trapper and provide updates with regard to future cash needs. If we all chip in a little bit, it shouldn't be too great of a burden on any of the people who have expressed their desire to help Trapper get through this.

If you would like to help, please make your contributions payable to:

Trapper Lippincott Support Fund
PO Box 4579
Annapolis, MD 21403

Please note that this is not a tax-deductible contribution.

We will keep you "in the loop" with news of Trap. If you do not hear from us, please email and tell us so!!

Again, sorry to be sending you such bad news. Please pass this email on to someone we may have missed. Thanks.

Paul, Rob, John and Barbara