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Rare Brain cancer: We Pray for Your Help

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PLEASE HELP.  Every $5 matters when you have so very little. I know that times are tough for everyone with the covid-19 virus and people are afraid of where their next paycheck is going to come. I just received an invoice from the pharmacy for $12,000 for this quarter that I simply cannot pay. As long as I make an effort they keep working with me as this covid-19 virus to be honest with you his causes people to hold their money closer to their vest. That's why I say that even $5 will help us.

I'm a very prideful man. It embarrasses me to have to ask others for help. But my child comes first. As a United States Army disabled veteran I humbly ask for your help. My daughter has a rare form of brain cancer. We are a family in deep crisis. I am raising money for my daughter with a very rare form of brain cancer. Rachael has an unspecified mixed germ cell germinoma Pineoblastoma. 

A Pineoblastoma is a rare, aggressive type of cancer that begins in the cells of the brain's pineal gland. Your pineal gland is located in the center of your brain. In Rachael's case, the cancer has eaten away her pituitary gland that controls her body's endocrine system as well as part of her hypothalamus that controls hormone production. If her intake of fluids and output are not tightly controlled  her sodium level increases  like walking through the desert in the heat  until she finally has a seizure.  Rachael has described it as like Rice Krispies. As your sodium rises she hears the snap, crackle, and pop as the brain cells die. She has seized numerous times and "coded" three times. I am a single parent caring for her alone.

My daughter is currently being managed by Oncology, Neurology, Neuropsychology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, and Ophthalmology at Children's Hospital. We spend weeks at a time living in the hospital and when we're not we are self isolating per the covid-19 protocol. Much of the time they are afraid to let her come home because her neutrophil count is too low and she has little to no defenses against viruses or bacteria's. Any contact with covid-19 would certainly bring about severe complications and probable death.

My credit cards are maxed out because I've been using them to pay for groceries and utility bills. Vehicle repairs keep coming at the absolute worst time. Although she gets a small amount from Social Security and Medi-Cal covers some of the procedures, Social Security just slashed her by 50%. When at the hospital I eat cookies and crackers and drink sodas and juices from the family room. I'm not too proud to admit that I eat scraps off of my daughters plate as well. We've been struggling for some time and today I'm losing the financial fight - but she is not giving up!

Any financial aid that is donated will go towards food, medications, rent, and getting the utilities paid current. At one time we had a beautiful home and lost it to foreclosure. Now I'm worried about not being able to pay the rent. Complicating matters, the property owner has intimated that they're going to sell the property this summer. I have nothing at all saved and we will be on the street. I have no family.

I too have serious medical issues. As a non smoker or drinker, I have cardiac, respiratory and thyroid issues as well as a collapsing spine that gave out when several discs completely gave way. I've had three surgeries that were unable to repair the damage. I have had a Nevro spinal stimulator surgically implanted but they have but unable to find a programming  routine that works. I need parathyroid surgery as well that I keep putting off because someone has to care for my daughter.

It's just the two of us at this point. I am a single parent doing the best that I can do and it just feels like my best isn't good enough. We humbly ask for your help. We would very much appreciate a small donation.  We know times are hard for a lot of people. We would appreciate it if you would please click and hold the link to copy it.

We desperately need your help. We pray to you and your family our blessings. I humbly ask that you share this on your timeline. Note: if you would like to volunteer as a team member please contact me.

Organizer

Bob Ricci
Organizer
San Bernardino, CA

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