A young families Brain cancer fight.

Hi, my name is Marco Riedel. I'm a 32 year old passionate cabinetmaker , a proud husband, and father to our 14 month old son, Theo.

I have been working extremely hard to build a comfortable future for my family. I started my own cabinetry business earlier this year and have spent most of last year framing up a house for us.

Late in March of this year while installing a costum office desk for a client, I noticed some changes in my vision.

I was in a pretty stressful situation during that time,having multiple jobs on the go trying to get money together to continue progressing on the house. Also my father went through an extremerly difficult second operation on a benign tumor in his brain and was in a critical condition due to some complications.

So, I told myself that my vision must be affected by the stress or I might need glasses.

I monitored my vision for a couple days and it deteriorated so drastically that I decided to go get checked out at the Emergancy Room.

They have done a CT scan of my head and after a surprisingly short wait the doctor called me to the room. I could tell from her look that something serious is going on.

She said there are multiple tumors showing up on the scan and her main concern is cancer.

She immidiately submitted me into the QEII for further testing and surgery.

I spent a week there to do multiple MRI scans and a biopsy.

After a long week, we finally received the results and it was the most devistating news a young family could ever receive.

I have Astrocytoma tumors inside my optic nerves and leisions quite widespread in the right side of my brain. The cancer is atleast grade 3 possibly grade 4 which is still being worked out.

I was told that My vision can't be saved and the tumors are

too deep, difficult, and large to operate or even do radiation on.

This is what they told me: "we will try chemo-therapy and keep you comfortable for as long as we can."

With this terrifying diagnosis my family immediately started reaching out to a specialist university clinics in Germany for second opinions and potentialy additional treatment options.

Being freshly self- employed we are barely eligible for social benifits. All I can receive is a small disability payment and my wife started picking up working night shifts again while taking care of our 14 month old Son and myself being visualy impared and on chemo-therapy.

WE are currently getting rid of all our stuff to get ready to go to Germany for some potential treament options.

All the money we would get will go towards basic living expenses for our family, medication and possible treatment, and travel expenses to Germany.

Since my diagnosis, it has been quiet around me. I encourage everyone who feels comfortable to reach out. I feel strong physically and mentally and other than my vision and some minor seizures I have no symptoms.

I can use all the support in the world right now and I am happy to talk to anyone who is up for it.

I am very determined to beat this and be here for my son.

Thanks,

Marco, Theo and Tara