Fundraising for Frank “FJ” Cacucciolo

Hello all,

My name is David Vasquez. I am a co-worker and friend of FJ’s. I have had the privilege of knowing this man for three years now. In those three years I have learned that he would never hesitate to help any individual in need. So, I wanted to start a gofundme to help the Cacucciolo’s out with what ever expenses they may have during his ongoing battle with cancer. Whatever you can donate will be appreciated.

FJ also has a Caringbridge account which you can follow. There he posts about any updates he has had with his progress. Here is one of his journal entries that explains his current diagnosis:

Greetings family, friends and co-workers,

I am thankful to all of you for your kind words, Bible verses, generosity, phone calls, messages and prayers. They are very helpful and continually encourage me to push forward and keep fighting. Every verse that has been shared with me is also passed along to all of you. We can all find comfort in our lives through Gods Word. There was one I received the other day just after I got the call on my thyroid biopsy. God has planned it perfect as I needed a boost to get me past my own mind and try to interpret the result's. The verse is Isaiah 41:13 “For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Hope this verse blesses all of you. Here is a brief update on my journey.

Radiation:

Radiation is going well with 4 under my belt and 21 to go . Pain has been minimal and only suffering from slight fatigue so far.

Thyroid Biopsy Results:

I received a call from my Medical Oncologist yesterday that stated the results are the following: Non Diagnostic - Unsatisfactory. Apparently sometimes with a needle biopsy there is either not enough tissue to make a diagnosis or the tissue that was obtained was not the nodule, but normal thyroid tissue… the module was possibly missed in the needle stick. Obviously this is somewhat disappointing especially after going through the ultrasound guided biopsy procedure. So the next step will be to meet with my new ENT Surgeon next Wednesday. Pretty soon I’ll know almost everyone at COH Will keep you posted, but I am assuming a new biopsy procedure that will be more invasive. I might be over thinking it, but thats me . The nurse did say that the notes stated the chances of it being malignant are 5 to 10%. Of course I won’t get the complete finding until April 17th… Not sure why?? Thanks for continued prayers

Plastic Surgeon Appt:

Now for the good and bad news. The good news is God is in control. The bad news is the discussion with Dr. Carre (Plastic Surgeon) was very detailed and more serious than I originally thought. He will be following Dr Raz’s thoracic surgery which will remove the tumor, ribs 4-6 and pectoral muscles if needed. Regarding the Plastic Surgery let’s start with the medical explanation. RIGHT CHEST WALL RECONSTRUCTION WITH ONE OF THE 3 OPTIONS: (1) LATISSIMUS DORSI MYOCUTANEOUS FLAP Definition: Large muscle in the back that they will use a portion to replace my pectoral and I think he said a smaller pectoral muscle that will also be removed. (2) PEDICLE TRAM FLAP Definition: It’s the Rectus Abdominis muscle that is located in my abdomen that will be moved up to where my pectoral muscles were removed and be my new man pecks. (3) EXTERNAL OBLIQUE FLAP Definition: Simply it is the muscles on both my right and left of my abdominal muscles that leads up to under my arms. I believe this will be the first choice and only if the radiation hasn’t damaged my blood vessels nearest the radiation site. There is also the POSSIBLE FREE TRAM FLAP AND POSSIBLE SPLIT THICKNESS SKIN GRAFT FROM AVAILABLE DONOR SITE. Definition: I might lose my right chest skin area do to the damage caused by the radiation and will need a skin graft from my right thigh. The doctor said that the reconstruction will be similar to a mastectomy if I had breast cancer. This about covers the 2nd portion of the surgery. Thanks for your continued prayers and support. I’ll continue to keep y’all posted as I move forward with treatments and ENT Dr appt next Wednesday. Blessings

Bible verses shared with me…

2 Chronicles 20:12

O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

2 Chronicles 20:15

And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.

2 Chronicles 20:17

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."

2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

"Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 40: 1-3

I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.