Donation protected
My name is Danielle and I am starting this GoFundMe page with my sister Brittany for our cousin Antonio Barroso. To begin with, Tony has fought a long battle under the diagnosis of Oligoastrocytoma since 2005. After years of research and Tony’s 1st recurrence in 2013, we learned that his pathology would classify his type of brain cancer as an Oligodendroglioma (WHO grade II). His most recent recurrence (2nd) was discovered during a follow up MRI in September 2019. As a result, Tony had his 5th brain surgery (3rd craniotomy) on November 5, 2019. Pathology came back a grade higher and the diagnosis changed to an Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma (WHO grade III). This is a rare, malignant primary brain tumor that has no known cure.
After the brain surgeries and a year of chemotherapy, Tony now experiences memory loss (short and long term), visual field cut on left, problems with balance, chronic joint pain, chronic (debilitating) headaches, severe fatigue, mood changes, and chronic panic attacks. During his most recent surgery, we learned that (about) 5% of the tumor could not be removed due to the high risk of damage to his motor strip, which controls his movement on the left. Currently Tony is receiving 33 radiation treatments at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. This has required them to move 2.5 hours away from their home, children, pets, and family support. Tony’s radiation schedule is Monday-Friday and began on March 11-April 24. Four weeks post radiation, Tony will have an MRI at NIH in Maryland. His chemotherapy treatment plan will be determined depending on the MRI results.
Tony as well as his wife Laurien, daughter Kasadie and son Wyatt have felt the duress of this awful health diagnosis by loss of income and added expenses. Some of these financial hardships include not only the piling of medical bills but everyday needs; pet needs, travel expenses to appointments, childcare, food, gas, the added expense of maintaining a home (rental contract) while paying for lodging in Tampa and monthly bills while being restricted to keep up with minimal access to income. Covid-19 has furthered this financial burden as Laurien’s job at the hospital would require her to travel back and forth from Tampa to Brevard and would put Tony at a higher risk of exposure to the virus. Wyatt is also no longer in school due to Covid-19 so Laurien is also unable to work for that reason.
Tony and Laurien have a special place in their heart for WI, and they were planning to move “Up North” following their marriage in FL. Unfortunately when Tony was re-diagnosed with this heartbreaking news they had to put these plans on hold. We have had the pleasure of seeing Tony become a father to the beautiful soul of a daughter Kasadie, and once more with the adventurous, full of life Wyatt, and we intend to have the privilege of honoring his wish to be the best father and role model to his children anyone could ever imagine.
Tony is the kind of man who has and would take the heart from his chest to see his children flourish, the sight from his eyes to have his wife see the end to this very dark tunnel, and the shirt off of his back to help another in need. He is hard working and has the steadfast calm of someone who would never complain of his pain or his current situation and for that reason on his and his family’s behalf we are asking that you may donate any monetary help that can be offered. We understand that amongst Covid-19 times are tough for everyone, so if you cannot donate please help us share our cousin’s story!
For more information on Tony’s journey please visit: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/antoniotonybarroso
We would also like to extend a very gracious thank you to Nicole Rowland Photography for providing a family session for Laurien, Tony and their children to cherish.
We ask that the only donations made are to this specific GoFundMe page as the caringbridge.org link does not provide any monetary alieviation to our family.
Thank you for the kindness throughout this time.
After the brain surgeries and a year of chemotherapy, Tony now experiences memory loss (short and long term), visual field cut on left, problems with balance, chronic joint pain, chronic (debilitating) headaches, severe fatigue, mood changes, and chronic panic attacks. During his most recent surgery, we learned that (about) 5% of the tumor could not be removed due to the high risk of damage to his motor strip, which controls his movement on the left. Currently Tony is receiving 33 radiation treatments at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. This has required them to move 2.5 hours away from their home, children, pets, and family support. Tony’s radiation schedule is Monday-Friday and began on March 11-April 24. Four weeks post radiation, Tony will have an MRI at NIH in Maryland. His chemotherapy treatment plan will be determined depending on the MRI results.
Tony as well as his wife Laurien, daughter Kasadie and son Wyatt have felt the duress of this awful health diagnosis by loss of income and added expenses. Some of these financial hardships include not only the piling of medical bills but everyday needs; pet needs, travel expenses to appointments, childcare, food, gas, the added expense of maintaining a home (rental contract) while paying for lodging in Tampa and monthly bills while being restricted to keep up with minimal access to income. Covid-19 has furthered this financial burden as Laurien’s job at the hospital would require her to travel back and forth from Tampa to Brevard and would put Tony at a higher risk of exposure to the virus. Wyatt is also no longer in school due to Covid-19 so Laurien is also unable to work for that reason.
Tony and Laurien have a special place in their heart for WI, and they were planning to move “Up North” following their marriage in FL. Unfortunately when Tony was re-diagnosed with this heartbreaking news they had to put these plans on hold. We have had the pleasure of seeing Tony become a father to the beautiful soul of a daughter Kasadie, and once more with the adventurous, full of life Wyatt, and we intend to have the privilege of honoring his wish to be the best father and role model to his children anyone could ever imagine.
Tony is the kind of man who has and would take the heart from his chest to see his children flourish, the sight from his eyes to have his wife see the end to this very dark tunnel, and the shirt off of his back to help another in need. He is hard working and has the steadfast calm of someone who would never complain of his pain or his current situation and for that reason on his and his family’s behalf we are asking that you may donate any monetary help that can be offered. We understand that amongst Covid-19 times are tough for everyone, so if you cannot donate please help us share our cousin’s story!
For more information on Tony’s journey please visit: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/antoniotonybarroso
We would also like to extend a very gracious thank you to Nicole Rowland Photography for providing a family session for Laurien, Tony and their children to cherish.
We ask that the only donations made are to this specific GoFundMe page as the caringbridge.org link does not provide any monetary alieviation to our family.
Thank you for the kindness throughout this time.
Organizer
Danielle Hazelquist
Organizer
Palm Bay, FL