A Mile for Pete
Donation protected
On May 11, 2018, my brother, Peter Vilasi was emergency life flighted due to a neurological emergency from UPMC Farrell Hospital in Mercer County, PA to Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. At that time, an MRI revealed that the severe pain and progressively worsening paralysis on his left side that he experienced that day was being caused by a tennis ball sized tumor which was rapidly growing on his spine. Following an 8 hour surgical procedure, Pete awoke with a fusion of 30+ screws and 6 rods extending in his back from C 3 to T 3 and the upsetting diagnosis of a chondroscaroma.
A Chondrosarcoma is a rare form of bone cancer that accounts for about 600 people each year in the United States. While the surgery was deemed successful, the entire tumor was unable to be removed because it was dangerously attached to the spinal cord. Further surgery would be too risky. So, after a three plus week in-patient recovery period in which Pete began to heal and relearn how to walk and use the left side of his body, he returned home and awaited approval to begin a six week treatment plan. This plan involved being driven to a radiation treatment center 25 miles away five days a week. In addition, Pete continued to receive weekly Physical Therapy to remediate the effects of the tumor and the surgery.
During this period, Pete has been unable to work, and his wife Susan, lost a significant amount of work due to spending those weeks with him in Pittsburgh, caring for him and transporting him to his appointments.
For those who know Pete, Dr. Pete by his patients, or Coach Pete by the hundreds of runners from the area, running and fitness have always been his passion. Pete, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and ironically a specialist in foot and back injuries, has been optimistic throughout his entire recovery. Through his determination and commitment to fitness, I have witnessed him progress from wheelchair to walker, from walker to cane, from independently walking with a drop foot to jogging not only on a track, but also along an uneven path. While he continues to have physical struggles, his determination is inspiring.
Today, Pete is awaiting the outcomes of his radiation treatments. He continues to receive physical therapy and has been able to return to work part time. He continues to move towards the 40 miles a week he was used to running. (Last report: Three miles, walk/jog on a good day!)
But today, Pete and Sue are faced with the ever growing medical bills not covered by their insurance. The numbers are already within the tens of thousands of dollars. With the uncertainty of his prognosis at this time, it is unclear how much more treatment he may require.
I have always known my brother to go the extra mile for whatever he believed in, whether it be when coaching a runner, treating a patient or tending his massive gardens. Pete does it well and he does it with a strong commitment. Whether you know Pete or you have just read his story here, we pray that you may go the extra mile for him. Please contribute to this GoFundMe Campaign and help my brother, Peter Vilasi, cover the costs of his medical bills.
A Chondrosarcoma is a rare form of bone cancer that accounts for about 600 people each year in the United States. While the surgery was deemed successful, the entire tumor was unable to be removed because it was dangerously attached to the spinal cord. Further surgery would be too risky. So, after a three plus week in-patient recovery period in which Pete began to heal and relearn how to walk and use the left side of his body, he returned home and awaited approval to begin a six week treatment plan. This plan involved being driven to a radiation treatment center 25 miles away five days a week. In addition, Pete continued to receive weekly Physical Therapy to remediate the effects of the tumor and the surgery.
During this period, Pete has been unable to work, and his wife Susan, lost a significant amount of work due to spending those weeks with him in Pittsburgh, caring for him and transporting him to his appointments.
For those who know Pete, Dr. Pete by his patients, or Coach Pete by the hundreds of runners from the area, running and fitness have always been his passion. Pete, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and ironically a specialist in foot and back injuries, has been optimistic throughout his entire recovery. Through his determination and commitment to fitness, I have witnessed him progress from wheelchair to walker, from walker to cane, from independently walking with a drop foot to jogging not only on a track, but also along an uneven path. While he continues to have physical struggles, his determination is inspiring.
Today, Pete is awaiting the outcomes of his radiation treatments. He continues to receive physical therapy and has been able to return to work part time. He continues to move towards the 40 miles a week he was used to running. (Last report: Three miles, walk/jog on a good day!)
But today, Pete and Sue are faced with the ever growing medical bills not covered by their insurance. The numbers are already within the tens of thousands of dollars. With the uncertainty of his prognosis at this time, it is unclear how much more treatment he may require.
I have always known my brother to go the extra mile for whatever he believed in, whether it be when coaching a runner, treating a patient or tending his massive gardens. Pete does it well and he does it with a strong commitment. Whether you know Pete or you have just read his story here, we pray that you may go the extra mile for him. Please contribute to this GoFundMe Campaign and help my brother, Peter Vilasi, cover the costs of his medical bills.
Organizer and beneficiary
Donna Vilasi Powers
Organizer
Hermitage, PA
Peter Vilasi
Beneficiary
