Michael's Hope to Beat Brain Cancer
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Please help this family.
Michael, age 40, was the major income provider for his family which includes his wife, his 13-year-old daughter, and dog Rory. Because of his brain cancer he is currently not working. He had always been a motivated worker and proud to provide for his family, until this disease struck.
In fact, just 2 years ago, Michael and his family moved far from extended family (NY to TX) to further his career.
As Michael's mother, I am hoping to raise funds for him and his family to use for medical expenses and everyday expenses. Unfortunately, as a young adult, Michael lost his father, a police detective who died in the line of duty.
After multiple attempts to deal with headaches with his doctors, it got to the point that they were no longer tolerable. On December 2, 2015, after 3 trips in 3 days to a local convenient care center, a CT scan revealed a brain tumor. Thankfully it was operable.
Michael was immediately taken by ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital at Texas Medical Center. Surgery to remove most of the tumor occurred just 2 days later, December 4th. In-patient rehabilitation helped him regain his strength.
Six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy followed. I was able to accompany him to these treatments for the 6 weeks so his wife could work.
Michael made a heroic attempt to return to work just a few days after radiation and chemo were completed, however it was too soon. More time to regain his strength and stamina is needed.
Currently Michael is using a relatively new external medical device called OptuneTM. This is what you see in his picture. It involves many disks affixed to his head and connected to a battery or an electric outlet, meant to be worn at least 18 hours each day. His insurance company has denied coverage for this FDA approved treatment! An appeal has been filed. I have also been in contact with a US State Department regarding this denial of coverage.
Michael will also continue on a pill form of chemotherapy 5 days every month for at least a year. Luckily, he should tolerate this better and better as time goes by without experiencing major negative effects. Already, the second month was much better than the first. With some minor accommodations, he should be able to work again, hopefully sooner than later.
Our hope is that with OptuneTM and chemotherapy, he can next benefit from the up and coming research involving immunotherapy for cancer.
As with all cancers, it has wreaked havoc on their lives in so many ways. Medical bills, loss of his income, a need to cobra insurance, and just everyday expenses need to be paid.
Family, of course, has stepped up to help. Michael and his wife have been discussing giving up one of their two cars in an effort to reduce expenses. However, as this continues, any support anyone is willing to provide would be most appreciated. Financial support to relieve the stress of bills will help this family spend some quality time together this summer. When summer ends, his wife will return to work as a Montessori teacher.
With family care, love, excellent health care, stress relief, time, and financial help from this fundraising site, our hope is Michael will return to work to be the provider he wants to be!
ANY financial help you are willing to contribute will be appreciated. No donation is too small. Every bit helps!
Thank you from our hearts!
Michael, age 40, was the major income provider for his family which includes his wife, his 13-year-old daughter, and dog Rory. Because of his brain cancer he is currently not working. He had always been a motivated worker and proud to provide for his family, until this disease struck.
In fact, just 2 years ago, Michael and his family moved far from extended family (NY to TX) to further his career.
As Michael's mother, I am hoping to raise funds for him and his family to use for medical expenses and everyday expenses. Unfortunately, as a young adult, Michael lost his father, a police detective who died in the line of duty.
After multiple attempts to deal with headaches with his doctors, it got to the point that they were no longer tolerable. On December 2, 2015, after 3 trips in 3 days to a local convenient care center, a CT scan revealed a brain tumor. Thankfully it was operable.
Michael was immediately taken by ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital at Texas Medical Center. Surgery to remove most of the tumor occurred just 2 days later, December 4th. In-patient rehabilitation helped him regain his strength.
Six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy followed. I was able to accompany him to these treatments for the 6 weeks so his wife could work.
Michael made a heroic attempt to return to work just a few days after radiation and chemo were completed, however it was too soon. More time to regain his strength and stamina is needed.
Currently Michael is using a relatively new external medical device called OptuneTM. This is what you see in his picture. It involves many disks affixed to his head and connected to a battery or an electric outlet, meant to be worn at least 18 hours each day. His insurance company has denied coverage for this FDA approved treatment! An appeal has been filed. I have also been in contact with a US State Department regarding this denial of coverage.
Michael will also continue on a pill form of chemotherapy 5 days every month for at least a year. Luckily, he should tolerate this better and better as time goes by without experiencing major negative effects. Already, the second month was much better than the first. With some minor accommodations, he should be able to work again, hopefully sooner than later.
Our hope is that with OptuneTM and chemotherapy, he can next benefit from the up and coming research involving immunotherapy for cancer.
As with all cancers, it has wreaked havoc on their lives in so many ways. Medical bills, loss of his income, a need to cobra insurance, and just everyday expenses need to be paid.
Family, of course, has stepped up to help. Michael and his wife have been discussing giving up one of their two cars in an effort to reduce expenses. However, as this continues, any support anyone is willing to provide would be most appreciated. Financial support to relieve the stress of bills will help this family spend some quality time together this summer. When summer ends, his wife will return to work as a Montessori teacher.
With family care, love, excellent health care, stress relief, time, and financial help from this fundraising site, our hope is Michael will return to work to be the provider he wants to be!
ANY financial help you are willing to contribute will be appreciated. No donation is too small. Every bit helps!
Thank you from our hearts!
Organizer and beneficiary
Sarah Mix Padula
Organizer
Ithaca, NY
Michael Padula
Beneficiary