Sandro's Fight for Life
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Hi,
My beloved Sandro has stage IV colon cancer. It came unexpectedly with only a couple months of warning symptoms of stomach pains, irritability, and sleepless nights. When we came in for a 3rd doctor's visit, the doctor's jaw dropped to the floor after seeing Sandro's results. Even she could not believe a 36 year old with no family history of colon cancer had a mass that big. We did further testings: a sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy, a CAT scan, and then PET scan, which all led to more lymph nodes compromised and a mass pressing against his kidney.
Last week, he had a large portion of this colon removed and the surgeons found a streamline of cancerous lymph nodes all over. They removed 17 of 24 infected lymph nodes which were all cancerous, in a small area. There was no use of going back in to take out more. His tumor was the size of an orange, blocking his whole digestive tract by the time of the surgery. Sandro stayed in the hospital for 5 days, and the surgeon says he's recovering well for a person who has colon cancer.
After performing a biopsy, the doctors said this will be an on going battle until the cancer is all gone, with endless chemo and medication. He may have "4-5 years to live" if this does not get better. Between doctor visits, hospital stay, medication, surgery, chemo, possibly holistic alternatives, Sandro may not be able to work for who knows how long. Costs are adding up very quickly, but we all believe he has a fighting chance. His resolve is strong: this morning he told me, "It's not a fight when you're going to win."
To everyone that has a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a friend, a significant other, or anyone with an open heart who can imagine what a battle this -- your prayers can help our love to secure this fighting chance to live a full life. If you would like to and are able to contribute financial support, this is the most direct want to do so. We all appreciate your love, support, and optimism.
My beloved Sandro has stage IV colon cancer. It came unexpectedly with only a couple months of warning symptoms of stomach pains, irritability, and sleepless nights. When we came in for a 3rd doctor's visit, the doctor's jaw dropped to the floor after seeing Sandro's results. Even she could not believe a 36 year old with no family history of colon cancer had a mass that big. We did further testings: a sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy, a CAT scan, and then PET scan, which all led to more lymph nodes compromised and a mass pressing against his kidney.
Last week, he had a large portion of this colon removed and the surgeons found a streamline of cancerous lymph nodes all over. They removed 17 of 24 infected lymph nodes which were all cancerous, in a small area. There was no use of going back in to take out more. His tumor was the size of an orange, blocking his whole digestive tract by the time of the surgery. Sandro stayed in the hospital for 5 days, and the surgeon says he's recovering well for a person who has colon cancer.
After performing a biopsy, the doctors said this will be an on going battle until the cancer is all gone, with endless chemo and medication. He may have "4-5 years to live" if this does not get better. Between doctor visits, hospital stay, medication, surgery, chemo, possibly holistic alternatives, Sandro may not be able to work for who knows how long. Costs are adding up very quickly, but we all believe he has a fighting chance. His resolve is strong: this morning he told me, "It's not a fight when you're going to win."
To everyone that has a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a friend, a significant other, or anyone with an open heart who can imagine what a battle this -- your prayers can help our love to secure this fighting chance to live a full life. If you would like to and are able to contribute financial support, this is the most direct want to do so. We all appreciate your love, support, and optimism.
Organizer
Sandro Martinez
Organizer
Richmond, CA
