Fighting Stage 4 Spine Cancer
Donation protected
On December 10, 2018, I went to the Emergency Room with severe low back pain that was getting worse by the day and was to the point that I could barely walk. I was hoping to get an MRI that showed some anatomical explanation for the pain so I could commence whatever treatment was indicated. Because I also had some numbness on my torso, a CT scan of my chest was done. As I was getting back into my street clothes, the ER doctor advised me that I had advanced metastatic cancer that was compressing my spinal cord and that I needed to immediately check into a hospital that had both orthopedic and oncological surgery capabilities. I asked him where he would go if he were me, to which he responded UCI Medical Center (hereinafter referred to as "UCIH").
I took a week to put my affairs in order as best I could, put my belongings into storage, and checked into UCIH on December 18, 2018, where I underwent multiple diagnostic procedures, including two surgical biopsies, before being discharged a month later to a recuperative care facility.
The laboratory has not been able to identify my tumors sufficiently to provide guidance with respect to treatment modalities. Fortunately, I have a neurosurgeon who offered a daring approach to addressing the worst area, the thoracic spine, where that tumor had obliterated three vertebrae and was severely compressing my spinal cord.
The ten hour surgery was performed on February 19, 2019, and involved the removal of three vertebrae, scraping the tumor off of the spinal cord, replacement of those three vertebrae, and fusion of them and adjacent vertebrae with screws and rods.
The surgery was successful and I am in a rehab center, doing as much physical therapy as I can stand, which sometimes is limited to walking 100 feet with a walker. I have to wear a full length back brace every time I get out of bed, which I am getting very used to.
I am positive and optimistic and working as hard as I possibly can to win this battle. Before thus back surgery, I was advised to get into the best possible shape I could. Because riding a bike was the only activity I could participate in, I acquired an adult size trike (3 wheels or safety reasons) and rode it an average of 15 miles per day for the month preceding surgery. I also acquired some suspension straps with handles and exercised my torso vigorously every other day for that same month. These activities have helped my ability to function.
That said, I have zero bladder control and cannot walk at all without a walker - yet.
There is no way I can work for wages and, because I have two other substantial tumors to address, I may not be able to work for quite some time, if ever again.
While insurance is covering my rehab, the maximum limit thereof is quickly approaching, leaving me with the challenge of securing housing, paying for storage, and funding the regimen of healthful fresh food, vitamins and minerals designed to fight cancer, and surviving in the OC with these ongoing challenges.
I have applied for SSDI, which should come through forthwith, although the average claim takes in excess of six months to be addressed and the vast majority of them are disapproved, requiring the applicant to appeal.
Because of how much I worked and earned, I qualify for almost the maximum benefit level, which will allow me to survive with the exercise of some frugality and reasonable prudence.
In the meantime, I have depleted my liquid assets, have taxed
my family's generosity, an
have no source of income and find myself at the mercy of all y'all to help me get through until SSDI kicks in.
Please know that no contribution is too small, that everything helps and is appreciated, that every penny is going toward fighting cancer and basic survival, and that thus situation is temporary until SSDI is awarded and payments ensue.
I am a golden hearted, hardworking, Godfearing, 56 year old man who needs your help for a limited period of time. Please help if you can.
Thank you for reading this far. Good bye and God bless.
Curt Cox
714-805-4594
[email redacted]
I took a week to put my affairs in order as best I could, put my belongings into storage, and checked into UCIH on December 18, 2018, where I underwent multiple diagnostic procedures, including two surgical biopsies, before being discharged a month later to a recuperative care facility.
The laboratory has not been able to identify my tumors sufficiently to provide guidance with respect to treatment modalities. Fortunately, I have a neurosurgeon who offered a daring approach to addressing the worst area, the thoracic spine, where that tumor had obliterated three vertebrae and was severely compressing my spinal cord.
The ten hour surgery was performed on February 19, 2019, and involved the removal of three vertebrae, scraping the tumor off of the spinal cord, replacement of those three vertebrae, and fusion of them and adjacent vertebrae with screws and rods.
The surgery was successful and I am in a rehab center, doing as much physical therapy as I can stand, which sometimes is limited to walking 100 feet with a walker. I have to wear a full length back brace every time I get out of bed, which I am getting very used to.
I am positive and optimistic and working as hard as I possibly can to win this battle. Before thus back surgery, I was advised to get into the best possible shape I could. Because riding a bike was the only activity I could participate in, I acquired an adult size trike (3 wheels or safety reasons) and rode it an average of 15 miles per day for the month preceding surgery. I also acquired some suspension straps with handles and exercised my torso vigorously every other day for that same month. These activities have helped my ability to function.
That said, I have zero bladder control and cannot walk at all without a walker - yet.
There is no way I can work for wages and, because I have two other substantial tumors to address, I may not be able to work for quite some time, if ever again.
While insurance is covering my rehab, the maximum limit thereof is quickly approaching, leaving me with the challenge of securing housing, paying for storage, and funding the regimen of healthful fresh food, vitamins and minerals designed to fight cancer, and surviving in the OC with these ongoing challenges.
I have applied for SSDI, which should come through forthwith, although the average claim takes in excess of six months to be addressed and the vast majority of them are disapproved, requiring the applicant to appeal.
Because of how much I worked and earned, I qualify for almost the maximum benefit level, which will allow me to survive with the exercise of some frugality and reasonable prudence.
In the meantime, I have depleted my liquid assets, have taxed
my family's generosity, an
have no source of income and find myself at the mercy of all y'all to help me get through until SSDI kicks in.
Please know that no contribution is too small, that everything helps and is appreciated, that every penny is going toward fighting cancer and basic survival, and that thus situation is temporary until SSDI is awarded and payments ensue.
I am a golden hearted, hardworking, Godfearing, 56 year old man who needs your help for a limited period of time. Please help if you can.
Thank you for reading this far. Good bye and God bless.
Curt Cox
714-805-4594
[email redacted]
Organizer
Jay Curtis Cox
Organizer
Huntington Beach, CA