Ed Needs a Village to Kick Cancer!!
Donation protected
Reaching Out to a "Village" of Family, Friends, Acquaintances, and Caring Supporters
Ed Gonsalves is a straight shooter ... a man who plays by his own rules and decisions, a 30+-year self-employed real estate general contractor, dad, friend and spirited Elvis fan ... a warrior of sorts who marches to the beat of his own drum. All who know him have witnessed his convictions, free spirit, self-confidence and "joie de vivre".
On November 23, 2016, a diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Stage IV, stopped him in his tracks as he embarked on an unplanned journey that is putting everything he believes about himself to the test.
"I Have Cancer" ... The Discovery
On the week of Thanksgiving - Monday - Ed was having a coughing fit and thought he might have bronchitis. He went to Charter Oak walk-in clinic in East Lyme, CT and was immediately placed on a breathing machine to alleviate his shortness of breath. After a routine blood test uncovered abnormal blood counts, the doctors decided to retake the test; results then confirmed a white blood cell count of 112,000/microliter (a normal range is 4,500 and 10,000/mcL). An emergency referral was then made to the Hartford Medical Group in Waterford, CT.
The rest of that day was consumed by a series of tests, consultations, shock, and emotionally painful "I Have Cancer" calls to his two daughters, brother and others within his inner circle.
That Tuesday night, Ed checked in to Yale New Haven Cancer Center where, by the next day, Dr. Lee delivered Ed's diagnosis ... a definitive diagnosis of Stage IV Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Although common to undergo a Bone Marrow Aspiration procedure to arrive at a diagnosis, his lack of health insurance at that point, became a deciding factor to opting instead for an MRI. After discharge, Ed's condition was monitored on an outpatient basis, led by Dr. Ramos and her team at Hartford Medical Group. The "Discovery" phase of Ed's journey had racked up in excess of $15K of medical expenses and his Journey had only just begun.
Ed's Journey After His Diagnosis
After Thanksgiving, Ed's symptoms began to accelerate and, without health insurance, he was forced to deal with them using unconventional methods. They all proved ineffective in suppressing Ed's cancer and, to further complicate matters, his immune system grew weaker. A winter flu, severe sinus infection, and even dehydration ensued, wreaking havoc on his system. He has been battling this condition into 2017. His daughters and family who are not local to CT, have all been travelling to assist during these stressful and emotionally draining life events.
Ed feels strongly and sadly that our health care system has failed him as if it was implemented with patient care as the primary focus, Ed would have started receiving treatment the day he was discharged from Yale. Instead, he had to wait and suffer the severe progression of cancer until January 3, 2017 when the health insurance kicked in.
On January 9, 2017, Ed prepared for his upcoming chemotherapy with the implant of a vein port. His daughter and son in law travelled from Philadelphia to assist him through this difficult first week and he received his first chemotherapy treatment a few days later. To add to the stress of his diagnosis and treatment, Ed was shocked to be told of an additional $2,000 hospital deductible for the implant of the Port, even though he was undergoing this as an "outpatient". He also discovered that EACH follow-up chemotherapy requires a $200 co-pay and, at this point, he expects to have about 18-24 chemo treatments (not counting doctors' or other fees)!
Unbelievably, through all this, Ed has also been battling prostate issues for the past two years. However, as he faces these catapulting medical expenses, while being unable to work and still having to cover routine living expenses, he has expressed anxiety and concern for a post-cancer future ridden with debt. This is never a good scenario while attempting to focus on healing.
If ever there was a time to call upon his "village" of friends, family, relatives, acquaintances, clients and a caring community of love and support, this is IT! Whatever you can do will NEVER be forgotten by Ed and it will further awaken Ed's warrior spirit to kick and eradicate this unwelcome cancer forever!
Please feel free to share with your own "village" and reach out to Ed personally however you feel inspired to do so...
Ed Gonsalves is a straight shooter ... a man who plays by his own rules and decisions, a 30+-year self-employed real estate general contractor, dad, friend and spirited Elvis fan ... a warrior of sorts who marches to the beat of his own drum. All who know him have witnessed his convictions, free spirit, self-confidence and "joie de vivre".
On November 23, 2016, a diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Stage IV, stopped him in his tracks as he embarked on an unplanned journey that is putting everything he believes about himself to the test.
"I Have Cancer" ... The Discovery
On the week of Thanksgiving - Monday - Ed was having a coughing fit and thought he might have bronchitis. He went to Charter Oak walk-in clinic in East Lyme, CT and was immediately placed on a breathing machine to alleviate his shortness of breath. After a routine blood test uncovered abnormal blood counts, the doctors decided to retake the test; results then confirmed a white blood cell count of 112,000/microliter (a normal range is 4,500 and 10,000/mcL). An emergency referral was then made to the Hartford Medical Group in Waterford, CT.
The rest of that day was consumed by a series of tests, consultations, shock, and emotionally painful "I Have Cancer" calls to his two daughters, brother and others within his inner circle.
That Tuesday night, Ed checked in to Yale New Haven Cancer Center where, by the next day, Dr. Lee delivered Ed's diagnosis ... a definitive diagnosis of Stage IV Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Although common to undergo a Bone Marrow Aspiration procedure to arrive at a diagnosis, his lack of health insurance at that point, became a deciding factor to opting instead for an MRI. After discharge, Ed's condition was monitored on an outpatient basis, led by Dr. Ramos and her team at Hartford Medical Group. The "Discovery" phase of Ed's journey had racked up in excess of $15K of medical expenses and his Journey had only just begun.
Ed's Journey After His Diagnosis
After Thanksgiving, Ed's symptoms began to accelerate and, without health insurance, he was forced to deal with them using unconventional methods. They all proved ineffective in suppressing Ed's cancer and, to further complicate matters, his immune system grew weaker. A winter flu, severe sinus infection, and even dehydration ensued, wreaking havoc on his system. He has been battling this condition into 2017. His daughters and family who are not local to CT, have all been travelling to assist during these stressful and emotionally draining life events.
Ed feels strongly and sadly that our health care system has failed him as if it was implemented with patient care as the primary focus, Ed would have started receiving treatment the day he was discharged from Yale. Instead, he had to wait and suffer the severe progression of cancer until January 3, 2017 when the health insurance kicked in.
On January 9, 2017, Ed prepared for his upcoming chemotherapy with the implant of a vein port. His daughter and son in law travelled from Philadelphia to assist him through this difficult first week and he received his first chemotherapy treatment a few days later. To add to the stress of his diagnosis and treatment, Ed was shocked to be told of an additional $2,000 hospital deductible for the implant of the Port, even though he was undergoing this as an "outpatient". He also discovered that EACH follow-up chemotherapy requires a $200 co-pay and, at this point, he expects to have about 18-24 chemo treatments (not counting doctors' or other fees)!
Unbelievably, through all this, Ed has also been battling prostate issues for the past two years. However, as he faces these catapulting medical expenses, while being unable to work and still having to cover routine living expenses, he has expressed anxiety and concern for a post-cancer future ridden with debt. This is never a good scenario while attempting to focus on healing.If ever there was a time to call upon his "village" of friends, family, relatives, acquaintances, clients and a caring community of love and support, this is IT! Whatever you can do will NEVER be forgotten by Ed and it will further awaken Ed's warrior spirit to kick and eradicate this unwelcome cancer forever!
Please feel free to share with your own "village" and reach out to Ed personally however you feel inspired to do so...
Organizer and beneficiary
Estere du Boulay
Organizer
Waterford, CT
Edward Gonsalves
Beneficiary