2 Cancers Medical Relief Support for Sean Mandell
Donation protected
Hello friends,
My life changed on June 3 when I learned that I have 2 Cancers:
Seminoma Testicular (Stage II) Cancer
Colon (Stage II) Cancer
June 2, 2020, I walked into an urgent care office seeking relief from what I thought was extreme constipation. They told me to go to the ER instead. The ER assessed me with a CT Scan, and an XRay and told me that I had two significant masses (tumors), one localized on my left testicle, the other on my colon. I was immediately scheduled for 2 emergency surgeries the next day to have the tumors removed. Along with the tumors, my left testicle and one half of my colon were removed.
Before all of this (insert 88 mph DeLorean Time Machine here), I was a good-humored, left-winged (politics and dexterity), guitarist for a rock band that was huge in Japan. (ok, I never played guitar, never was in a rock band, but I AM huge in Japan). I spent the better part of my career with major donor fundraising for non-profit organizations, transitioned to software sales, and in the past few years, I have been working with freelance digital marketing/content management. I'm an avid Ohio State Buckeyes football fan, and I make artisanal mustards. I've lived all over the country, and twice overseas, and my memories/experiences are just as diverse as all of the social circles I've created among all of those places. You are all very special to me, and it has touched me to see that I've meant so much to so many of you during these past few weeks. Your support has kept my head up and strong. Thank you.
Back to the ordeal...
I spent the next 15 days at the hospital (5 of them in the ICU) with some post-op complications including acute kidney failure (I was passing so many fluids to regulate my digestion, my body was extremely dehydrated), an inability to take in oxygen (I was put on 98% oxygen at one point), an endoscopy, and an analysis of a third biopsy.
(June 9, ICU - Road to Recovery or "They brought me the wrong jello flavor.")
The third biopsy suggests that chemotherapy is likely imminent, but is still meant for a "treatment to cure". There are additional tests/procedures I'm waiting for that may recommend additional treatments, or that may come with additional complications. I will keep you and this page updated as I learn more.
How am I today?
I am a Survivor. I'm going to kick Cancer's ass. Resting at home has been great and better juice variety here. The gravity of what my body has been going through and what it still has to go through has only recently hit home in the past few days. The mental/emotional burden is huge. It has been difficult at times to keep a Champion's glow among the periodic scariness of what is ahead. I keep reminding myself the doctors' prognosis is positive, my recovery is going really well, and I will be back stronger and wiser than ever before.
What's next?
Monday, 6.29, I had a PET CT Scan to review my entire body (my head to my mid-thigh) for any signs of any other suspicious masses. I will hopefully learn more about the PET Scan results with my oncologist meeting.
Tuesday, 6.30, I am meeting with an oncologist to review the CT Scan, review the status and/or Stages of my current prognosis, and review my treatment options.
For the next 4 - 6 weeks: surgery recovery.
Everyday: Live Like a Champion.
The Struggle
Is real. The pain is real, the health complications, the treatment challenges ahead, my positive outlook... all of it is real. The urgency of this request is also real. As a consequence of an oft struggling freelancer, I am embarrassed to say that this surprise surgery attacked at a time when I do not have any health insurance. I have already applied to the hospital for additional financial aid considerations and I'm in the midst of trying to immediately secure insurance. I am not proud of this fact, and it is in this context I am seeking additional support from my friends, social networks, and those from a galaxy far, far away.
My partial expenses accumulated to date (all expenses below reflect 50% discounts the hospital has already awarded) include:
Hospital Services, MUSC Hospital, 6.2 - 6.17.20: $107,345
Anesthesia (2): $3,527
CT Scans (4, including 6.29): $3,276
Prescriptions (10): $278
X-Rays (10): $235
Follow-up Appointments (1): $53
Expenses not yet quantified:
* Original Surgeries (2) (6.3.20)
* Chemo and/or Radiation Treatment
* Additional Treatments
* Ileostomy Reversal Surgery (to be qualified and scheduled after the completion of chemo treatment)
* Additional prescriptions
* Transportation to/from appointments
* Follow-up appointments
It is with a humble heart that I begin Phase 1 of this GoFundMe fundraising effort, and I am seeking $30,000 as a start to help me fund medical bills and other treatment/recovery-related costs. If getting close to my Phase 1 Goal, I will continue my efforts (and increase the goal), hopefully reaching closer to my total medical expenses.
What You Can Do:
1) Please join my support network and contribute a gift of any size.
2) Please help to share my story with others on your social networks.
3) Inform and educate yourself and loved ones on the signs of and the treatment for Testicular Cancer and Colon Cancer.
4) Live a life filled with kindness, curiosity, and a thirst for knowledge.
Thank you. I am overwhelmed by your support, thank you.
My life changed on June 3 when I learned that I have 2 Cancers:
Seminoma Testicular (Stage II) Cancer
Colon (Stage II) Cancer
June 2, 2020, I walked into an urgent care office seeking relief from what I thought was extreme constipation. They told me to go to the ER instead. The ER assessed me with a CT Scan, and an XRay and told me that I had two significant masses (tumors), one localized on my left testicle, the other on my colon. I was immediately scheduled for 2 emergency surgeries the next day to have the tumors removed. Along with the tumors, my left testicle and one half of my colon were removed.
Before all of this (insert 88 mph DeLorean Time Machine here), I was a good-humored, left-winged (politics and dexterity), guitarist for a rock band that was huge in Japan. (ok, I never played guitar, never was in a rock band, but I AM huge in Japan). I spent the better part of my career with major donor fundraising for non-profit organizations, transitioned to software sales, and in the past few years, I have been working with freelance digital marketing/content management. I'm an avid Ohio State Buckeyes football fan, and I make artisanal mustards. I've lived all over the country, and twice overseas, and my memories/experiences are just as diverse as all of the social circles I've created among all of those places. You are all very special to me, and it has touched me to see that I've meant so much to so many of you during these past few weeks. Your support has kept my head up and strong. Thank you.
Back to the ordeal...
I spent the next 15 days at the hospital (5 of them in the ICU) with some post-op complications including acute kidney failure (I was passing so many fluids to regulate my digestion, my body was extremely dehydrated), an inability to take in oxygen (I was put on 98% oxygen at one point), an endoscopy, and an analysis of a third biopsy.
(June 9, ICU - Road to Recovery or "They brought me the wrong jello flavor.") The third biopsy suggests that chemotherapy is likely imminent, but is still meant for a "treatment to cure". There are additional tests/procedures I'm waiting for that may recommend additional treatments, or that may come with additional complications. I will keep you and this page updated as I learn more.
How am I today?
I am a Survivor. I'm going to kick Cancer's ass. Resting at home has been great and better juice variety here. The gravity of what my body has been going through and what it still has to go through has only recently hit home in the past few days. The mental/emotional burden is huge. It has been difficult at times to keep a Champion's glow among the periodic scariness of what is ahead. I keep reminding myself the doctors' prognosis is positive, my recovery is going really well, and I will be back stronger and wiser than ever before.
What's next?
Monday, 6.29, I had a PET CT Scan to review my entire body (my head to my mid-thigh) for any signs of any other suspicious masses. I will hopefully learn more about the PET Scan results with my oncologist meeting.
Tuesday, 6.30, I am meeting with an oncologist to review the CT Scan, review the status and/or Stages of my current prognosis, and review my treatment options.
For the next 4 - 6 weeks: surgery recovery.
Everyday: Live Like a Champion.
The Struggle
Is real. The pain is real, the health complications, the treatment challenges ahead, my positive outlook... all of it is real. The urgency of this request is also real. As a consequence of an oft struggling freelancer, I am embarrassed to say that this surprise surgery attacked at a time when I do not have any health insurance. I have already applied to the hospital for additional financial aid considerations and I'm in the midst of trying to immediately secure insurance. I am not proud of this fact, and it is in this context I am seeking additional support from my friends, social networks, and those from a galaxy far, far away.
My partial expenses accumulated to date (all expenses below reflect 50% discounts the hospital has already awarded) include:
Hospital Services, MUSC Hospital, 6.2 - 6.17.20: $107,345
Anesthesia (2): $3,527
CT Scans (4, including 6.29): $3,276
Prescriptions (10): $278
X-Rays (10): $235
Follow-up Appointments (1): $53
Expenses not yet quantified:
* Original Surgeries (2) (6.3.20)
* Chemo and/or Radiation Treatment
* Additional Treatments
* Ileostomy Reversal Surgery (to be qualified and scheduled after the completion of chemo treatment)
* Additional prescriptions
* Transportation to/from appointments
* Follow-up appointments
It is with a humble heart that I begin Phase 1 of this GoFundMe fundraising effort, and I am seeking $30,000 as a start to help me fund medical bills and other treatment/recovery-related costs. If getting close to my Phase 1 Goal, I will continue my efforts (and increase the goal), hopefully reaching closer to my total medical expenses.
What You Can Do:
1) Please join my support network and contribute a gift of any size.
2) Please help to share my story with others on your social networks.
3) Inform and educate yourself and loved ones on the signs of and the treatment for Testicular Cancer and Colon Cancer.
4) Live a life filled with kindness, curiosity, and a thirst for knowledge.
Thank you. I am overwhelmed by your support, thank you.
Fundraising team: Team #irradicaSean (2)
Sean Mandell
Organizer
Charleston, SC
Connie Weethee
Team member