Colon Cancer w Liver Mets, need help paying bills.

Hello, my name is Tommy and on May 1st of last year, 2023, I was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer that had metastasized to my liver. For the past 10 months, I’ve been undergoing chemotherapy treatments. In addition, I just had major abdominal surgery in January of this year to attempt placement of a hepatic arterial pump which failed and pump placement had to be aborted.

Fortunately, the primary tumor (colon) was removed and my colon was resected successfully.

My current options for my liver tumor now is to remain on systemic chemotherapy and begin Y90 radiation therapy. This week, I just received my first Y90 radiation therapy treatment and an embolization procedure for my large liver tumor in my right lobe. In a month a TACE procedure will be performed as well for 2 smaller tumors in the left lobe. As these treatments are progressing it’s making it difficult for me to work and pay my bills.

About me and my work history: For the past 27 years I’ve worked as a diagnostic radiological technologist and for the last 16 as a surgical neurophysiologist. These careers are one of the greatest and most rewarding because I get to help and assist others in their time of need. I’ve always been in healthcare and I truly enjoy being able to help patients in the outpatient settings, hospitals, and the operating room.

Unfortunately for the first time in my life, which is humbling, I’m the one that needs help to get through this horrible disease. Treatments are going very well and on the off weeks of chemo I try to work every other week when I don’t have a chemo pump on my waist. I currently try my best to work on a per diem basis which I’ve been doing but there are some weeks that either work is slow or I just don’t have the energy or strength because of the treatment's side effects.

I’m starting this GoFundMe page so hopefully it will help a bit to cover my living and medical expenses as I go through my treatments. So far my liver has been responding to treatment and my primary tumor has been removed. If my liver tumor continues to respond to treatment and my CEA numbers drop I may be a possible candidate for a liver transplant up in Rochester NY, which is my hope and my goal. During this time between my treatments and being able to work only on off weeks when I am not sick, times are getting tough financially. I am not making enough to cover my rent, car payment, health insurance, and medical bills.

I have never had to ask for any help in my life, but instead always wanted to help others so this is extremely difficult for me, but if there is any way that you can assist, I will be so grateful. Any donation even the smallest one would be so helpful to help me get through these difficult times. Thank you so much for listening to my story Tommy.

PS: A Special note to my family, friends, colleagues (former & current) and from just all the generous people who’ve donated whom I never met. I’d like to share with you all a special mention to a person who has been a dear friend of mine for almost 20 years and is such a huge supporter of mine and true patient advocate who has helped me thru out this whole ordeal and with out her help, guidance and motivation I could never have found a way to get thru this.

She’s been walking along with me every step of the way during these tough times and is one of the main reasons I started this fundraiser as a suggestion by her to help me get thru these tough times.

Her name is Christina Toth-Mandia and with her support and guidance is some of the main reasons I’m still here today to tell my story. Thank you Christina, I love you and you!!! You and your whole family just mean the world to me!

#ColonCancerAwareness #NoOneFightsAlone