Taking out "Terry the Terrible Brain Tumor"

Hi all, I am writing this for my/our dear friend Allen Pontes, who just underwent surgery to take out "Terry the Terrible Brain Tumor." As a lot of you may know, Allen and I, along with Scott Adams and Erin Renfree, were about to open the second summer show for Main Street Theatre Works, "A Red Plaid Shirt." As we got close to tech week, we noticed something wasn't quite right with our friend. While he had his lines down as good as anyone, and at times better, he was losing strength on his left side and having balance issues. This was not typical for him. SO, it was off to the ER on Friday, and 14 hours later he was sent to Kaiser Morse Avenue to have a brain tumor removed. This #%&! thing had set on the right front lobe of his brain, putting pressure on it, which was causing all the issues on the left side of his body. Yesterday (7/31), after a 6 hour surgery, the tumor was removed and he is recovering in the ICU. He's doing well but at times is in a great deal of pain, but nothing good drugs can't help with. The good news is the MRI today came back clean, meaning they got all of the #%&! tumor out, and he even started a bit of physical therapy.

But now we wait. Wait for results from pathology to find out what "Terry the Terrible Brain Tumor" really is, so they know how to proceed with further treatment, if needed. It's going to be a long road to recovery for Allen and while he has health insurance, we know not everything will be covered. And, as an independent actor, he doesn't have a steady income to help pay the monthly bills, which will continue to keep coming. I don't see him returning to work for awhile, which is why I'm asking for your help in keeping our dear friend afloat.

Allen has been in the theatre community for many years, and this show was to have been his 100th production. Sadly, that'll have to wait till next year. He is also a very integral member of the MSTW family. Allen is a board member, our treasurer, he handles all our ticket sales, designs the sound for our shows, directs, acts, and heads up our annual Radio Show Fall Fundraiser, and so much more. To say that Main Street Theatre Works relies on him is an understatement.

SO, to help our friend get through this rough patch, if you can donate to help him pay for medical expenses and upcoming bills, I know he will be so appreciative. He has such a good heart and I know will be back in the game sooner than later. Please help support him. If you have any questions, please feel free to message Julie Anchor on Facebook. And please keep Allen and his family in your prayers, as well as send positive energy his way for a quick and complete recovery.

Thank you so much.