Hello everyone and Thank you for taking a few moments to read my story. .. My name is Michael Ortega,  Hispanic,  Miami, FL born and raised. I'm just shy of my 42 birthday and  despite the recent coronavirus pandemic and everything we have been dealing with in that regards to that matter, I've been diagnosed with stage 1B Testicular Cancer.  Apparently it was fairly aggressive and occured roughly with the last year or so with little to no warning, with my first confirmation on July 15, 2020.  After several more blood tests and scans, I had surgery to remove the affected testicle on Aug 6, 2020 and biopsy results on Aug 13, 2020 showed a mixed germ cell tumor mainly consisting of seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, and choriocarcinoma. Pathology showed lymphovascular invasion  as well therefore I'm in for a long road ahead of me with obvious fear of the unknown. 
Definitely not what I had in mind as a birthday present, but we're being optimistic and staying positive and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to beat this thing. Luckliy I have an amazing wife, great friends and family who are being supportive and strong by my side as we try to get thru this life changing situation. 

This being said, I have a very small family -most have their own health conditions and are elderly. We really do have additional means of income nor short term or supplemental benefits and not sure how much I will be in and out of work during this process. I work jn the medical field which places me more at risk especially if chemotherapy is the next step. I am not sure what my financial responsibilities will be during this process nor what my insurance company may or may not cover for the treatments to come., nor how my health and well being will be affected by this or by upcoming treatments. 

I know as a nation we are upon hard times as it is but I  am humbly and with a huge cloud of embarrasment over my head, asking for any kind of financial assistance, any kind of advice or suggestions on how to face this unforseen circumstance which I'm sure will not be a short road ahead of me and my loved ones. Any and all donations and suggestions, advice, recommendations, etc. will be greatly appreciated from the bottom of my heart. 

Thank you all in advance, God bless you and I appreciate you taking the time to read my story. 

Sincerely, 
Mike Ortega.