Help Aidan Kick Cancer's A$$

Hello my beloved family, friends, and Facebook friends. As you may or may not know, I have been battling thyroid cancer. Last year, I was first diagnosed after experiencing pain, night sweats, weight loss, and an enlarged lymph node in my neck for almost five years before obtaining health benefits finally making it possible to get myself examined by a doctor. After I was diagnosed, I received a total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine treatment. In the months following my procedure, I never really felt well again. My left side of my face and neck are completely numb, inflamed and painful. My emotions were up and down constantly, and it was obvious that something was still not right. I even started to notice painful swollen masses in my neck starting to become more prevalent. The endocrinologist I was recommended to did not listen to me. She told me the symptoms and issues I was bringing to her attention were "not because of my thyroid." And when I asked if it could be side effects of the meds that I must now take for life, or maybe if my levels were off, she tersely replied "No, synthroid does not have side effects." So, without ordering me blood work there was no way for her to assume that my levels were correct. Also, synthroid comes with a litany of information with many potentially dangerous side effects. Well, after this, and her and her office forgetting to inform me of my check-up appointment, I had enough of being neglected. I switched to Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia after my fiancee did some research on thyroid cancer forums and informed me of the top ratings of their endocrinology and ENT departments. I recently went for my first appointment with my new endocrinologist, who informed me that I was supposed to have a post-op ultrasound to determine the effectiveness of the thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine. Simultaneously reassuring that I am in the right place, it was also equally infuriating that my previous doctors neglected me and my concerns about my health. Although it is an every day thing for them, this completely changed my life. Well, after the ultrasound and examination, my new doctor at Jefferson informed me my levels were off and that my dosage of medication was incorrect. He ordered a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the largest newly enlarged lymph node in my neck. It was revealed by the biopsy that I am having recurrence of cancer. I am hopeful, but it has been increasingly trying on my emotions, body, and spirit. Not to mention, the time I have had to take off of work, as well as medical bills left over from last year and those freshly acquired, have left me treading water barely staying afloat. Recently, it was recommended to me by my new endocrinologist and ENT to undergo alcohol ablation to control the angiogenesis(blood vessels) of tumors in order to stave off another surgery or another radioactive iodine treatment as long as possible. It was a painful procedure that I was awake for, but it is proving effective as I have seen some visible reduction of the largest affected lymph node. I am going to be taking some time off of work to focus on my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health as I am undergoing these treatments and regulating to my meds. While I am taking this time off, it would mean the world to me if any one would be willing to contribute anything at all to help me fight this battle, and put this all behind me; emerging stronger, more grateful, and ultimately of sounder mind, body, and spirit. Whatever you can contribute will be greeted with the utmost joy and admiration. As you donate, do so with the knowledge that you are contributing to my future, the happiness of my family, my fiancee, my future children, and to the hope that some day, cancer will no longer wreak havoc on the lives of people like you and me. Your donation brings us all a little closer to that. I appreciate all of your support, kindness, positivity, prayers, and love. Thank you from every part of my being.

"Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray." ~ Lord Byron