Unexpected Cancer Surgery
Donation protected
After my battle with Testicular Cancer in 2012 with an Orchiectomy and 3 rounds of Chemotheraphy, I have been diagnosed with a teratoma tumor. It is growing in one of my lymph nodes.
The teratoma has to be removed via an RPLND (Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection), which is a procedure that will remove the abdominal lymph nodes. There will be an incision that extends from my sternum to below my belly button. The surgery itself is extremely complicated and will keep me in the hospital for 5 days, not to mention a total of a month and a half off of work, and only part time when I return. If left untreated, teratoma can turn into another type of cancer or grow and cause issues with my other organs. It is not treatable via Chemo or Radiation and comes with a list of side effects depending on how much nerve damage is done via the surgery.
I decided to create a GoFundMe page to call for a little help. I get no benefits for medical leave from work, which is an Afterschool Program at an Elementary School. I also have been having trouble getting financial help for medical benefits, but the type of insurance that I would need for the constant check ups and surgery is too costly. Any donations would help offset the month of medical leave I will have to take, pay for some of the medical bills and visits I will have to leading up to my RPLND in late October at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. All help is appreciated.
After returning to work from my recovery, I will make personalized Thank You cards with the children at my Afterschool Program and send them out to the donors who donate $100 or more. Thank you so much for taking the time to reading my GoFundMe page.
The teratoma has to be removed via an RPLND (Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection), which is a procedure that will remove the abdominal lymph nodes. There will be an incision that extends from my sternum to below my belly button. The surgery itself is extremely complicated and will keep me in the hospital for 5 days, not to mention a total of a month and a half off of work, and only part time when I return. If left untreated, teratoma can turn into another type of cancer or grow and cause issues with my other organs. It is not treatable via Chemo or Radiation and comes with a list of side effects depending on how much nerve damage is done via the surgery.
I decided to create a GoFundMe page to call for a little help. I get no benefits for medical leave from work, which is an Afterschool Program at an Elementary School. I also have been having trouble getting financial help for medical benefits, but the type of insurance that I would need for the constant check ups and surgery is too costly. Any donations would help offset the month of medical leave I will have to take, pay for some of the medical bills and visits I will have to leading up to my RPLND in late October at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. All help is appreciated.
After returning to work from my recovery, I will make personalized Thank You cards with the children at my Afterschool Program and send them out to the donors who donate $100 or more. Thank you so much for taking the time to reading my GoFundMe page.
Organizer
Alex Rodriguez
Organizer
Lake Villa, IL
