Andy Bloom's Cancer Fight Fund
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
As you may or may not know, I have been ill with headaches for a considerable time and then had trouble with partial loss of use of my tongue making speech and eating very difficult. I got some care from a local ENT doctor who suspected cancer and after a biopsy it was determined that I have tongue cancer. I have a growing mass tumor on the base of my tongue, which explains the headaches and partial paralysis of the tongue.
I have been unable to work since the beginning of September and have been at home and visiting a variety of doctors locally and at USC and UCLA to determine what is the type and method of treatment. After discussing many of the options, I have chosen to have the tumor removed surgically at UCLA, which will involve removing my tongue and nearby lymph nodes and restorative surgery of the affected area.
My surgery will take place on Wednesday, November 9 at UCLA. I expect to be hospitalized for one week and then will return home for a five-week rest period until the next stage of the treatment begins —daily radiation treatments for 7 weeks. This will take place Monday through Friday at UCLA and I will likely reside in Los Angeles during that period of treatment.
Needless to say the needs will be great, yet I’m confident I will get through this. Despite how tough this journey is, I am encouraged by a friend who also went through this same illness nearly 24 months ago. He provides me with knowledge of how to deal with this both emotionally and clinically and is responsible for helping me get the advanced care I need at UCLA. He has also encouraged that I share my story on the donation site GoFundMe since he did the same and was blessed and assisted by so many. Without any expectation, and with great gratitude of what might come, I am following that advice by writing this story and asking for your support. Your support will assist me with direct assistance and travel, medical expenses, travel and expenses for my caregivers (mother and father), and housing while in Los Angeles.
I am hopeful I will gain my health through the guidance and care of family, great medical professionals, and a lot of grace. If I am so fortunate, I look to pay that blessing forward by coaching and sharing my story with another who may be suffering with similar illness.
I’m at peace with this journey and ready to get on with the treatment. Thank you for reading my story. I and my sister, Jessica, will do our best to update from time to time.
Yours,
Andy
As you may or may not know, I have been ill with headaches for a considerable time and then had trouble with partial loss of use of my tongue making speech and eating very difficult. I got some care from a local ENT doctor who suspected cancer and after a biopsy it was determined that I have tongue cancer. I have a growing mass tumor on the base of my tongue, which explains the headaches and partial paralysis of the tongue.
I have been unable to work since the beginning of September and have been at home and visiting a variety of doctors locally and at USC and UCLA to determine what is the type and method of treatment. After discussing many of the options, I have chosen to have the tumor removed surgically at UCLA, which will involve removing my tongue and nearby lymph nodes and restorative surgery of the affected area.
My surgery will take place on Wednesday, November 9 at UCLA. I expect to be hospitalized for one week and then will return home for a five-week rest period until the next stage of the treatment begins —daily radiation treatments for 7 weeks. This will take place Monday through Friday at UCLA and I will likely reside in Los Angeles during that period of treatment.
Needless to say the needs will be great, yet I’m confident I will get through this. Despite how tough this journey is, I am encouraged by a friend who also went through this same illness nearly 24 months ago. He provides me with knowledge of how to deal with this both emotionally and clinically and is responsible for helping me get the advanced care I need at UCLA. He has also encouraged that I share my story on the donation site GoFundMe since he did the same and was blessed and assisted by so many. Without any expectation, and with great gratitude of what might come, I am following that advice by writing this story and asking for your support. Your support will assist me with direct assistance and travel, medical expenses, travel and expenses for my caregivers (mother and father), and housing while in Los Angeles.
I am hopeful I will gain my health through the guidance and care of family, great medical professionals, and a lot of grace. If I am so fortunate, I look to pay that blessing forward by coaching and sharing my story with another who may be suffering with similar illness.
I’m at peace with this journey and ready to get on with the treatment. Thank you for reading my story. I and my sister, Jessica, will do our best to update from time to time.
Yours,
Andy
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica Bloom
Organizer
Grover Beach, CA
Andrew Bloom
Beneficiary