My ongoing journey and struggle with Cancer

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this note. If you know me you know that this is more than humbling.

In the early morning hours of December 31, 2022 I was involved in a very severe car accident on my way to work. In the accident I broke and/or fractured seven vertebrae in my back. Upon doing the MRI scan for the necessary emergency surgery they noticed several abnormalities. The MRI revealed fourteen “spots” in my lungs and a brain scan revealed seventeen more “spots” in my brain. Post spinal surgery, a biopsy of my lung confirmed what the DR. had expected, and I was diagnosed with stage IV Metastatic Melanoma of the brain and lungs.

I was immediately accepted into the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa (with the help of good friends) under Dr. Nikhil Khushalani. He specializes in novel therapeutics for people diagnosed with rare and metastasized melanoma of the brain. At this point I lost my driving privileges because of the seizure that caused my accident. With the help of my parents for the first three months I was able to stay with them and get transportation to and from treatment at Moffitt. They live in a community that is 55 and older and therefore this option is no longer available.

After five months of treatment, we have seen some positive results. Although I have kept myself laughing and staying positive the fight is far from over. I wake up with severe back pain daily and the physical and mental battle with cancer is exhausting and lonely. Today I was told they think it has now spread to my liver. After eight months of hospitals, surgeries, travel expenses, insurance, co-pays and so many other expenses, I have run through all of my savings and all available sources of funding. I NEED HELP to make the final push. At the minimum I have five treatments left this year and that depends on the diagnosis of my liver.

Unable to and not allowed to work since January, I am in need of the basics. Transportation to and from treatments is one of them, as is rent, phone, medications, and even food. It is shocking the lack of resources available to people in my situation.

Upcoming Medical Treatments:

8/30 Bloodwork/ Lab Services, Clinic

9/13 Labs, Pet scan/CTintake, Tumor Imaging Whole Body, Clinic visit, Specialty Infusion

10/4 MRI Brain

10/11 Bloodwork/ Lab Services, MRI Brain, Clinic visit, Specialty Infusion

11/4 Neurologist 1st visit

11/30 Bloodwork/Endocrinologist

If the situation was not so desperate I would not be asking for help. At this point I have no alternative.

I am more than grateful for your consideration in helping me through this extremely difficult time.

Sincerely,

Aaron