Support the Alonzo Family

We are fundraising to support Kurtis's medical treatments and associated expenses during this challenging time. Not only is Kurtis unable to work but the medical bills are already coming in, as well as treatments and appointments that need to be paid ahead of time. I know this a challenging time for everyone but I ask that if you are able to give, please do. If you have the ability to share this, please do.

Thank you,

Charmaine

Christina writes: On Wednesday, 11/20, I took Kurtis to the ER. He hadn’t been feeling well since Friday, and I knew in my gut something wasn’t right. He insisted he was fine, just sleepy. He was really tired, his right foot seemed to drag a bit when he walked, he was a bit confused, and said some things that just didn’t make sense. Almost like he couldn’t find the right words.

After a bunch of testing in the ER, they found a large tumor on his left frontal lobe causing serious brain swelling. Immediately, they started steroids and transferred him to CPMC San Francisco.

From there, they did a brain MRI and CT from the neck down. They believed it was cancer and wanted to confirm if it was anywhere else other than the brain.

The CT showed no other masses. Due to the location of the tumor, removal is not an option. The neurosurgeon let me know that we needed to biopsy the tumor so we could talk to oncology about what options we might have. The biopsy was also quite dangerous due to the location and how complex this tumor is.

Kurtis did well, and the neurosurgeon felt confident that he was able to get enough samples for pathology.

Kurtis was discharged from CPMC Monday, 11/25, pending oncology appointments and pathology reports. The next day, we spoke to the oncologist and came up with a tentative plan.

We were told the biopsy would take 2 weeks. We do not yet have the biopsy results, but the oncologist said, based on the neurosurgeon’s report and his own review of the MRI, he believes that it could be two different types of brain cancer. Both of them have the same exact treatment, so he said that doesn’t make a difference for treatment currently. He said if by chance the biopsy comes back and it’s something completely different, then we have to forget everything he said. But right now, his plan is to get Kurtis started on radiation as soon as possible.

We had an appointment with the radiation oncologist on 11/27. The current plan is Kurtis will go to radiation starting 12/18, going five days a week for 6 weeks. That is the max treatment allowed. He will also be starting chemotherapy. That will be an oral pill that he takes at home.

The oncologist did say that because Kurtis is so young, he is hopeful that these treatments could help prolong his life. But because surgery isn’t an option, the goal is just to keep the cancer from spreading. Unfortunately, he cannot give us any time frames or guarantee us that this will even work.

The tumor has greatly affected Kurtis's short-term memory as well as balance and coordination. The short-term memory is non-existent right now, and the doctors have said it’s a “wait and see” what will return. If you ask Kurtis how he is doing, he knows he doesn’t feel well but doesn’t retain why.

We are asking you to join us in prayer that the treatment works. We ask for wisdom for the doctors.

Most of you know our family has been through so much the last few years, and Kurtis has been my rock. I’ve said for the last 10 years that he is the calm to my storm. He has been strong when I’m weak, and now it’s my turn to be strong for him.

I know many of you love him and will want to show support. However, please remember that he doesn’t retain the information on what’s happening. He is not aware of the magnitude of this fight we are up against. Sometimes I feel like that is a blessing in disguise.