Team Stolfi vs Cancer: Round 2
Donation protected
I start by saying that you are reading this because Michael Stolfi is one lucky bastard.
In the summer of 2012 my brother Michael was diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma in his right temporal lobe. It is a long story, and all things considered, has a pretty happy ending. Michael's journey started with a bout of confusion and within days progressed to news of a large tumor in his head and a subsequent life threatening surgery.
After treatment at his local Portland hospital, Michael was extremely fortunate to then move under the care of Dr. Gilbert at MD Anderson in Houston, TX. This second step involved a more serious diagnosis, but also a second, successful surgery removing nearly all of the aggressive brain tumor. The next year included rounds of radiation, chemo, clinical trials, ups and downs. It was a difficult year, but he was alive — more than many with his diagnosis can say. Since then, he has been able to live the last 6 years with clean scans showing no tumor growth — more than almost all with his diagnosis can say.
A few weeks ago, the bottom dropped out. Our family received news of a large area of concern again in his right temporal lobe, and a new mass at the base of his cerebellum.
Michael has undergone two biopsies to assess the two areas. For the next week, we wait. Surgery for the mass at the base of his brain is a certainty, but not much else is certain at this point.
"Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you."
-Stuart Scott
Michael’s second fight is ahead of us, and he's going to need us in his corner.
Michael is luckily still under the care of Dr. Gilbert at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. I’ve started this Go Fund Me to assist with travel costs, ancillary medical bills, child care, and more. The costs are adding up quickly. My goal is to raise these funds so costs do not have to outweigh care when making decisions.
"You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live."
-Stuart Scott (Yes, again -- It was a really good speech)
My brother embodies this quote. He has lived the last 6 years to the fullest, and we’ve had the opportunity to enjoy so many new life experiences. Michael and Margo’s daughter Cora (age 8) has grown into a beautiful young girl. We welcomed their now 3-year old (cute) terror of a little boy named Roman. Michael was even able to officiate the marriage ceremony for my husband and I.
Again, I end by saying Michael is one lucky bastard, but this new journey doesn’t mean his luck has run out.
Thank you to everyone for your help, love and support. In whatever form it may come.
If you’d like to read more of Michael’s story, I encourage you to read through his Caring Bridge page here. He has kept the page up through the years, and there are even more Stuart Scott quotes to enjoy.
Here we go…
In the summer of 2012 my brother Michael was diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma in his right temporal lobe. It is a long story, and all things considered, has a pretty happy ending. Michael's journey started with a bout of confusion and within days progressed to news of a large tumor in his head and a subsequent life threatening surgery.
After treatment at his local Portland hospital, Michael was extremely fortunate to then move under the care of Dr. Gilbert at MD Anderson in Houston, TX. This second step involved a more serious diagnosis, but also a second, successful surgery removing nearly all of the aggressive brain tumor. The next year included rounds of radiation, chemo, clinical trials, ups and downs. It was a difficult year, but he was alive — more than many with his diagnosis can say. Since then, he has been able to live the last 6 years with clean scans showing no tumor growth — more than almost all with his diagnosis can say.
A few weeks ago, the bottom dropped out. Our family received news of a large area of concern again in his right temporal lobe, and a new mass at the base of his cerebellum.
Michael has undergone two biopsies to assess the two areas. For the next week, we wait. Surgery for the mass at the base of his brain is a certainty, but not much else is certain at this point.
"Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you."
-Stuart Scott
Michael’s second fight is ahead of us, and he's going to need us in his corner.
Michael is luckily still under the care of Dr. Gilbert at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. I’ve started this Go Fund Me to assist with travel costs, ancillary medical bills, child care, and more. The costs are adding up quickly. My goal is to raise these funds so costs do not have to outweigh care when making decisions.
"You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live."
-Stuart Scott (Yes, again -- It was a really good speech)
My brother embodies this quote. He has lived the last 6 years to the fullest, and we’ve had the opportunity to enjoy so many new life experiences. Michael and Margo’s daughter Cora (age 8) has grown into a beautiful young girl. We welcomed their now 3-year old (cute) terror of a little boy named Roman. Michael was even able to officiate the marriage ceremony for my husband and I.
Again, I end by saying Michael is one lucky bastard, but this new journey doesn’t mean his luck has run out.
Thank you to everyone for your help, love and support. In whatever form it may come.
If you’d like to read more of Michael’s story, I encourage you to read through his Caring Bridge page here. He has kept the page up through the years, and there are even more Stuart Scott quotes to enjoy.
Here we go…
Organizer and beneficiary
Margaret Stolfi
Organizer
Knoxville, TN
Michael Stolfi
Beneficiary