Tony & The Brain Tumor
Donation protected
Who could have possibly predicted something so small could forever change our entire lives? A cancerous pineal region brain tumor, Grade-4 Glioblastoma Multiforme or GBM, has taken Tony’s job, has altered his vision, and put him through multiple procedures, dangerous surgeries, and long nights in the ICU with even more in his future. This unwelcomed tumor has taken him away from his family, made him unable to drive or go without help for simple things, and is causing him cognitive delays, confusion, and constant double vision. It’s hard to see Tony like this.
Tony is the most wonderful, kind, funny, thoughtful, and loyal 29-year-old man you will ever meet. He is an Eagle Scout, a x2 Iraq War Vet, and a Paramedic. I’m Jessica… the lucky one, I married him.
Tony is a veteran and served 7 years in the U.S. Army and completed 2 tours in Iraq as an infantryman. During the last few years of his service he worked as a cold weather mountaineering specialist in Alaska. While in Alaska he was able to climb Mt. McKinley, which is the highest peak in North America. When he came home he wanted to continue serving others and the community so he became a paramedic. He also volunteers for our local area's Search and Rescue team. Tony loves the outdoors, camping, hiking, and especially rock climbing. My husband is simply amazing. He has spent his entire life in the service of others. He climbs mountains and moves them for the ones he loves.
Climbing Mount Mckinley with Army NWTCS
Ice Climbing in AK
Disneyland after Tony got out of the Army 2013
During the last two years Tony has been completing his Associate’s Degree in Paramedic Medicine. He just finished October 2016 and was offered a full-time position with our local ambulance service. This is his dream job and we were so happy.
A few weeks prior to completing school, Tony started getting headaches and sleeping longer than normal. We chalked it up to stress and awkward study angles. Then the headaches started bringing about nausea and vomiting. Tony went to Urgent Care to be check-out but they also chalked it up to stress and told him to hydrate better and follow up with a neurologist if they got worse.
The final straw was when Tony woke up with double vision after a nap, and so we took him to the ER right away. They did a CT of his brain and found the culprit. The Doctor informed us there was a pineal brain tumor that was blocking the flow of cerebral spinal fluid around his brain. He was rushed to the ICU to be treated for hydrocephalus (too much CSF in his head). The headaches resolved with the placement of an external drain. Days later an internal channel was surgically created in hopes that soon the external drain could be removed.
Tony right after getting his external ventri!

The tumor is in the very center of the brain near the pineal gland. This area affects things like balance, sleep, vision, memory and causes almost constant headaches and nausea. The problem with this type of tumor is where it is situated because it is in the center of the brain. Invasive neurosurgery to treat this type of tumor is extremely difficult and dangerous.
MRI of the Tumor
Tony underwent his 11-hour craniotomy to remove the majority of the tumor on November 28th, 2016. The surgeon was unable to remove the entire tumor because it has begun to thread itself into parts of Tony’s brain stem. Unfortunately this is what is causing his double vision, so his vision will take even longer to heal and may need to be corrected with specialty glasses or even more surgery. A large sample of the tumor was sent to the Mayo Clinic for biopsy and diagnosis.
After the surgery Tony’s confusion and memory got worse along with his balance. He was unable to stand, walk, or preform other tasks on his own. Once Tony was medically stable he was sent to the Rehab Institute of Oregon (RIO) for rigorous inpatient physical, speech, and occupational rehab. He spent just over a week in rehab and was sent home to continue therapies as an outpatient on December 12, 2016.
On December 10th Tony and I were given the news we hoped we wouldn’t hear, that the tumor results had come back showing that the tumor was malignant. Our neurosurgeon told us it was a Grade-4 Glioblastoma or GBM. Because of Tony’s young age the surgeon is optimistic about his response to treatments going well. However the prognosis for this type of cancer because of how fast it can grow and spread is not great. With all the various factors and variables the general prognosis is about 18 months with treatment.
With Tony now home we will be continuing speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. He has completed 6 weeks of radiation and chemo and is now doing chemo 5 days a month. Tony will also begin seeing a neuropthomologist soon to help with his double vision and ocular therapy.
I work full-time as a respiratory therapist. I love my job but due to these circumstances I need to take intermittent leave from work. With hospital bills coming in my husband and I cannot afford for me to not work all my shifts, as I have already been the only source of income for the past 2 years while Tony has been in school. I'm able to work shifts here and there inorder to have some income and keep our much needed insurance active.
We are raising funds to cover the costs of insurance deductibles, therapies, travel from doctors and hospital appointments, chemo prescriptions, bills, and some of the income he will be loosing by not being able to work for the next 12 months that would have been used to keep our family afloat. Also we have been trying alternative therapies such as ozone and high dose vitamin C that insurance will not cover.
The VA is staking no claim to Tony’s cancer or brain tumor and has deemed it “non-service related.” So we are only using my insurance to cover the chemo, radiation, therapies, eye doctor, and lab work.
We understand everyone is fighting his or her own battles right now and money is tight with the holidays coming. We are asking if anyone is willing and able to help us please donate. Even $5 helps us. If you are truly unable to donate we ask that you please share our story on whatever social media you subscribe to. This will help get my husbands story out there and get him more support.
We really appreciate all the love and support we are already receiving from our friends, family, and coworkers at this time. We know not all will be able to donate and that’s fine. We are also accepting prayers, good thoughts, and all positive vibes sent our way.
With love,
Tony & Jessica MacDougall

Tony is the most wonderful, kind, funny, thoughtful, and loyal 29-year-old man you will ever meet. He is an Eagle Scout, a x2 Iraq War Vet, and a Paramedic. I’m Jessica… the lucky one, I married him.
Tony is a veteran and served 7 years in the U.S. Army and completed 2 tours in Iraq as an infantryman. During the last few years of his service he worked as a cold weather mountaineering specialist in Alaska. While in Alaska he was able to climb Mt. McKinley, which is the highest peak in North America. When he came home he wanted to continue serving others and the community so he became a paramedic. He also volunteers for our local area's Search and Rescue team. Tony loves the outdoors, camping, hiking, and especially rock climbing. My husband is simply amazing. He has spent his entire life in the service of others. He climbs mountains and moves them for the ones he loves.
Climbing Mount Mckinley with Army NWTCSIce Climbing in AKDisneyland after Tony got out of the Army 2013 During the last two years Tony has been completing his Associate’s Degree in Paramedic Medicine. He just finished October 2016 and was offered a full-time position with our local ambulance service. This is his dream job and we were so happy.
A few weeks prior to completing school, Tony started getting headaches and sleeping longer than normal. We chalked it up to stress and awkward study angles. Then the headaches started bringing about nausea and vomiting. Tony went to Urgent Care to be check-out but they also chalked it up to stress and told him to hydrate better and follow up with a neurologist if they got worse.
The final straw was when Tony woke up with double vision after a nap, and so we took him to the ER right away. They did a CT of his brain and found the culprit. The Doctor informed us there was a pineal brain tumor that was blocking the flow of cerebral spinal fluid around his brain. He was rushed to the ICU to be treated for hydrocephalus (too much CSF in his head). The headaches resolved with the placement of an external drain. Days later an internal channel was surgically created in hopes that soon the external drain could be removed.
Tony right after getting his external ventri! The tumor is in the very center of the brain near the pineal gland. This area affects things like balance, sleep, vision, memory and causes almost constant headaches and nausea. The problem with this type of tumor is where it is situated because it is in the center of the brain. Invasive neurosurgery to treat this type of tumor is extremely difficult and dangerous.
MRI of the TumorTony underwent his 11-hour craniotomy to remove the majority of the tumor on November 28th, 2016. The surgeon was unable to remove the entire tumor because it has begun to thread itself into parts of Tony’s brain stem. Unfortunately this is what is causing his double vision, so his vision will take even longer to heal and may need to be corrected with specialty glasses or even more surgery. A large sample of the tumor was sent to the Mayo Clinic for biopsy and diagnosis.
After the surgery Tony’s confusion and memory got worse along with his balance. He was unable to stand, walk, or preform other tasks on his own. Once Tony was medically stable he was sent to the Rehab Institute of Oregon (RIO) for rigorous inpatient physical, speech, and occupational rehab. He spent just over a week in rehab and was sent home to continue therapies as an outpatient on December 12, 2016.
On December 10th Tony and I were given the news we hoped we wouldn’t hear, that the tumor results had come back showing that the tumor was malignant. Our neurosurgeon told us it was a Grade-4 Glioblastoma or GBM. Because of Tony’s young age the surgeon is optimistic about his response to treatments going well. However the prognosis for this type of cancer because of how fast it can grow and spread is not great. With all the various factors and variables the general prognosis is about 18 months with treatment.
With Tony now home we will be continuing speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. He has completed 6 weeks of radiation and chemo and is now doing chemo 5 days a month. Tony will also begin seeing a neuropthomologist soon to help with his double vision and ocular therapy.
I work full-time as a respiratory therapist. I love my job but due to these circumstances I need to take intermittent leave from work. With hospital bills coming in my husband and I cannot afford for me to not work all my shifts, as I have already been the only source of income for the past 2 years while Tony has been in school. I'm able to work shifts here and there inorder to have some income and keep our much needed insurance active.
We are raising funds to cover the costs of insurance deductibles, therapies, travel from doctors and hospital appointments, chemo prescriptions, bills, and some of the income he will be loosing by not being able to work for the next 12 months that would have been used to keep our family afloat. Also we have been trying alternative therapies such as ozone and high dose vitamin C that insurance will not cover.
The VA is staking no claim to Tony’s cancer or brain tumor and has deemed it “non-service related.” So we are only using my insurance to cover the chemo, radiation, therapies, eye doctor, and lab work.
We understand everyone is fighting his or her own battles right now and money is tight with the holidays coming. We are asking if anyone is willing and able to help us please donate. Even $5 helps us. If you are truly unable to donate we ask that you please share our story on whatever social media you subscribe to. This will help get my husbands story out there and get him more support.
We really appreciate all the love and support we are already receiving from our friends, family, and coworkers at this time. We know not all will be able to donate and that’s fine. We are also accepting prayers, good thoughts, and all positive vibes sent our way.
With love,
Tony & Jessica MacDougall
Organizer
Jessica E. MacDougall
Organizer
Vancouver, WA
