Bryan Glick GQue Tumor Battle
Donation protected
After a few months of medical uncertainty and confusion I was diagnosed with a Ependymoma grade 2 intramedullary tumor inside the top of my spinal cord. The cancerous tumor stretched across several vertebra and I underwent emergency surgery May 27. There are no medical studies nor trials due to the rarity.
The good news is this was the best tumor we could have hoped for. It gives me roughly 80% 5 year survival odds.
Unfortunately there was no way to remove all of the tumor and there is permanent nerve damage and muscle weakness (left hand and across several body parts waist down on my left side). I have years of physical and occupational therapy ahead and will require mobility aides for the rest of my life. Some of this is covered by insurance and much of it is not. I started radiation in August and I will need over 30 MRIs in the next 5 years. As there is a high risk of the tumor returning....even if radiation therapy is a massive success. I will need MRIs every year until I go.
On top of this is I am now legally blind in my right eye (20/200) and am beyond the point of glasses helping. As a result I can no longer drive.
Despite having a gold plan medical insurance I already have over $30,000 in expenses, never mind an endless round of future tests. And we won't know for a year or two if there are complications from spinal surgery.
In 2020 I launched www.gquefilms.com . My dream of evolving the film sales landscape. Breaking down barriers as the only non-cis owned and operated (,qnd now diabled) film sales company in the world. And I intend to to continue that work and be a thriving member of the indie film scene but with far less travel.
I do not claim I am any more nor less worthy of aide than anyone else. But I am grateful to be alive and for any support you can provide. Whether that be in donations, sharing this, or donating your time to support LOCAL LGBTQIA+ youth and seniors in honor of most of my hospital stay taking place during pride month and this non-cis queer cancer survivor
PS. My experience in pcu (progressive care unit)
was fraught with transphobic and homophobia micro aggressions. My doctors were all great but I was misgendered daily, I
I was asked "if I was a crossdresser or just transitioning" had my requests for care when new muscle strains arise be ignored. I was forced to undergo my first physical therapy session with no pain nor nerve meds in my system. The pain was unfathomable. All of this was only addressed when straight Cis family and med teks spoke up. Each time I was right and and new injuries (to be expected) had happened.
As a Jew the first meal they served me had a giant plate of bacon. Wtf!? I met with administrators but they went silent and I am contemplating taking further action.
Sending you SO much love and heart in helping me through this
The good news is this was the best tumor we could have hoped for. It gives me roughly 80% 5 year survival odds.
Unfortunately there was no way to remove all of the tumor and there is permanent nerve damage and muscle weakness (left hand and across several body parts waist down on my left side). I have years of physical and occupational therapy ahead and will require mobility aides for the rest of my life. Some of this is covered by insurance and much of it is not. I started radiation in August and I will need over 30 MRIs in the next 5 years. As there is a high risk of the tumor returning....even if radiation therapy is a massive success. I will need MRIs every year until I go.
On top of this is I am now legally blind in my right eye (20/200) and am beyond the point of glasses helping. As a result I can no longer drive.
Despite having a gold plan medical insurance I already have over $30,000 in expenses, never mind an endless round of future tests. And we won't know for a year or two if there are complications from spinal surgery.
In 2020 I launched www.gquefilms.com . My dream of evolving the film sales landscape. Breaking down barriers as the only non-cis owned and operated (,qnd now diabled) film sales company in the world. And I intend to to continue that work and be a thriving member of the indie film scene but with far less travel.
I do not claim I am any more nor less worthy of aide than anyone else. But I am grateful to be alive and for any support you can provide. Whether that be in donations, sharing this, or donating your time to support LOCAL LGBTQIA+ youth and seniors in honor of most of my hospital stay taking place during pride month and this non-cis queer cancer survivor
PS. My experience in pcu (progressive care unit)
was fraught with transphobic and homophobia micro aggressions. My doctors were all great but I was misgendered daily, I
I was asked "if I was a crossdresser or just transitioning" had my requests for care when new muscle strains arise be ignored. I was forced to undergo my first physical therapy session with no pain nor nerve meds in my system. The pain was unfathomable. All of this was only addressed when straight Cis family and med teks spoke up. Each time I was right and and new injuries (to be expected) had happened.
As a Jew the first meal they served me had a giant plate of bacon. Wtf!? I met with administrators but they went silent and I am contemplating taking further action.
Sending you SO much love and heart in helping me through this
Organizer
Bryan Glick
Organizer
Summerfield, NC
