Determined to Thrive: Brain Tumor Surgery

Help Deb’s Family Pay for Her Unexpected Brain Tumor Surgery.

 

Husband Steve and Son Niko are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Wife and Mother Deborah D’Onofrio.

 

Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.

-John Lennon

 

While we had hopes of getting back to a semblance of “normal” this summer: beach outings, picnics, woodland hikes-quality time with family and friends -

Life had other plans.

On Thursday, July 22, 2021 my wife Deb started having problems with her eyesight. She described it as if you turned the brightness on your computer screen up too high and she also was losing visibility in her lower left eye.

On Friday, July 23rd she was admitted to Lawrence General Hospital. The results of an MRI showed Deb had a large brain tumor (approx. 4cm). She was transferred by ambulance to Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Tufts Medical did their own battery of tests which included blood samples as well as CT scan and MRI with contrast which would provide more detail. We learned that she had a rare hybrid pituitary tumor.  The tumor had wrapped itself around her pituitary gland and carotid arteries with compression to her optic nerves. It had grown so large that she ran the risk of losing her eyesight completely as well as other neurological complications and was advised to have surgery immediately.



Within hours we were introduced to our Neurosurgeon, Dr. Safain, who performed the surgery on Sunday, July 25th. Fortunately, he was able to work noninvasively which meant he did not have to go in through the skull and also meant a quicker recovery. Unfortunately, due to the tumors size and location he would not be able to remove it all.

Niko, an Eagle Scout and Outdoor Education graduate - Summa Cum Laude, from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, was working the summer as a Ranger at Philmont, a Boy Scout High Adventure base in New Mexico which sees over 30,000 campers over the course of the summer.

The team at Philmont was extremely empathetic in allowing Niko to return home to be with his Mother post-opp.

(Proud Father & new Graduate)

 

(Ranger Niko on training trek – Crater Lake – Philmont)

 

Operation:

From a Friday diagnosis to a Sunday surgery made for an extremely quick turnaround, only made possible by the incredible professionalism of Dr. Safain, his team, and all the nurses and the organization at Tufts Medical Center. Even better news is the fact that Deb’s eyesight returned well enough that the next evening she was able to read and send texts if she felt up to it.

2020 is a year that we will all look forward to forgetting. As a self-employed free-lance videographer, I’ve been the cameraman for the This Old House television series for over 20 years, but the pandemic even shut production down for five months.

The pandemic also decimated all of the professional sports coverage that  we relied on.

Deb was a self-employed meditation teacher, women’s life mentor and mixed media artist. The pandemic also dramatically reduced her business.

(Some of Deb’s photography ©2021)

 

(Steve, on set with Tom Silva & Kevin O’Connor, This Old House 2021)

It’s one thing to be able to prepare for such events and it’s another when a pandemic or a doctor’s diagnosis tells you that a loved one has a brain tumor. I’m not sure how anyone prepares for any of these things but as we all know that’s not how life works. I’m ecstatic to say that Deb is at home recovering, and we hope the worst of it is behind us. Niko is back now after finishing up a successful season at Philmont. Having him here is a huge emotional plus and he is the best right-hand man anyone could ever ask for.  

Like many in the gig economy, health insurance coverage is basic at best. This medical emergency means that we’ll be facing a second and even more significant setback with uncovered medical expense coverage and ongoing checkups in the future.    In addition, there is the potential for a future need to treat the remaining tumor with radiation, drug therapy, or a repeat of this procedure.  Deborah will need to be monitored with regular blood testing, MRI’s as well as other additional testing as the need arises. 

Your donation will help us pay for these unexpected costs. No amount is too small, and your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

Our Goal is to raise $50,000 which will pay for our deductible and uncovered medical expenses.