Cadina Fund: Help Don Fight Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Donation protected
Here's a little back story on why we're here, asking for your support.
Donald Cadina, is husband to Vanessa, Dad of 5 boys, and Papa to 7 grandchildren. This journey started early this year with lower leg swelling, which he was seeing his cardiologist for. He was started on medication to help decrease the swelling and it would work, but then the swelling would return. I bought him compression socks, which he wore and they seemed to help, but again, the swelling would return.
Towards the end of June, Dad noticed a lump on his upper thigh, but initially dismissed it. The lump grew quickly so he finally made an appointment to see his doctor about it. He was then referred to a surgeon and was scheduled to have the lump removed in early August. Just a few days after meeting with the surgeon, he woke up and noticed that the left side of his neck was swollen. He was alarmed by this new symptom and immediately notified the surgeon's office. By the end of the day, the surgery to remove the swollen lymph nodes was moved up to that Friday.
The enlarged lymph nodes were removed and of course the concern was that it was lymphoma. We all were praying that the results would be negative; but on July 21, 2020, he got the call that it was in fact cancer.
Dad came home early that day, which wasn't totally unusual, however we all knew that he should be receiving the news any day now. He broke the news to me that it was cancer, a type of lymphoma. He was initially relieved because it wasn't Non-Hodkin's Lymphoma, but then we learned that it was Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. A quick google search and you will learn that it's pretty rare and although treatable, there isn't a "cure." MCL is known to come back, which requires different treatments to help get you back in to remission.
In the coming weeks, he met with his Oncologist and was advised that he needed to start chemotherapy ASAP. They also found out that in addition to chemotherapy, he would have to travel to Seattle to get a stem cell transplant.
The process started with appointments to have a implanted port placed, an echocardiogram to check on his heart, and a PET scan to determine the extent of the cancer. It is not uncommon for a person to be stage 4 when diagnosed due to the type of cancer that it is. This was the case for Dad; he has Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
Dad has started chemotherapy and goes in for 2 days of treatment of Bendamustine & Rituxan. October will be his 3rd and final round of this regiment. In November, he will be starting the first round of a new chemotherapy regiment that requires him to be hospitalized for 6 days to receive the treatments. This has required Dad to have to retire a little earlier than anticipated. As of November 1st, he will retire after 43 years with the City & County of Honolulu.
The goal of this is to help get Dad to Seattle for a stem cell transplant. The funds will be used to pay for housing costs and medical treatments not covered by insurance. The exact costs of this necessary treatment is not yet known, but what we do know, is that the housing recommended by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will cost approximately $2000 per month. Dad will have to be in Seattle for about 4 months for the entire process.
If you’d like to make a donation directly to Don & Vanessa, they have a Venmo account set up - @Vanessa-Cadina
We thank you for all of your prayers and support thus far. Please continue to pray for Dad's healing.
Love,
The Cadina Ohana
Donald Cadina, is husband to Vanessa, Dad of 5 boys, and Papa to 7 grandchildren. This journey started early this year with lower leg swelling, which he was seeing his cardiologist for. He was started on medication to help decrease the swelling and it would work, but then the swelling would return. I bought him compression socks, which he wore and they seemed to help, but again, the swelling would return.
Towards the end of June, Dad noticed a lump on his upper thigh, but initially dismissed it. The lump grew quickly so he finally made an appointment to see his doctor about it. He was then referred to a surgeon and was scheduled to have the lump removed in early August. Just a few days after meeting with the surgeon, he woke up and noticed that the left side of his neck was swollen. He was alarmed by this new symptom and immediately notified the surgeon's office. By the end of the day, the surgery to remove the swollen lymph nodes was moved up to that Friday.
The enlarged lymph nodes were removed and of course the concern was that it was lymphoma. We all were praying that the results would be negative; but on July 21, 2020, he got the call that it was in fact cancer.
Dad came home early that day, which wasn't totally unusual, however we all knew that he should be receiving the news any day now. He broke the news to me that it was cancer, a type of lymphoma. He was initially relieved because it wasn't Non-Hodkin's Lymphoma, but then we learned that it was Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. A quick google search and you will learn that it's pretty rare and although treatable, there isn't a "cure." MCL is known to come back, which requires different treatments to help get you back in to remission.
In the coming weeks, he met with his Oncologist and was advised that he needed to start chemotherapy ASAP. They also found out that in addition to chemotherapy, he would have to travel to Seattle to get a stem cell transplant.
The process started with appointments to have a implanted port placed, an echocardiogram to check on his heart, and a PET scan to determine the extent of the cancer. It is not uncommon for a person to be stage 4 when diagnosed due to the type of cancer that it is. This was the case for Dad; he has Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
Dad has started chemotherapy and goes in for 2 days of treatment of Bendamustine & Rituxan. October will be his 3rd and final round of this regiment. In November, he will be starting the first round of a new chemotherapy regiment that requires him to be hospitalized for 6 days to receive the treatments. This has required Dad to have to retire a little earlier than anticipated. As of November 1st, he will retire after 43 years with the City & County of Honolulu.
The goal of this is to help get Dad to Seattle for a stem cell transplant. The funds will be used to pay for housing costs and medical treatments not covered by insurance. The exact costs of this necessary treatment is not yet known, but what we do know, is that the housing recommended by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will cost approximately $2000 per month. Dad will have to be in Seattle for about 4 months for the entire process.
If you’d like to make a donation directly to Don & Vanessa, they have a Venmo account set up - @Vanessa-Cadina
We thank you for all of your prayers and support thus far. Please continue to pray for Dad's healing.
Love,
The Cadina Ohana
Organizer and beneficiary
FEORA CADINA
Organizer
Kahuku, HI
Vanessa Cadina
Beneficiary
