Gabe Gonzales fight against Brain Cancer

This is Gabe Gonzalez: Loving father and partner, talented chef and music producer, incredible friend. He has a beautiful 2 year old daughter named Madison and a loving, dedicated partner, Ashley. On October 20th, 2020, Gabe was diagnosed with Brain Cancer. Since his diagnosis, Gabe has battled through countless treatments and has recently seen a great decline in his health. This has resulted in Ashley’s need for an unpaid leave from work to care for Gabe. He is now unable to walk or speak, but deep down he's still the Gabe we all know and love. With the support of family, we are able to help care for Madison and support Ashley while she spends most of her time feeding and caring for Gabe. It’s a full-time, challenging job, but Gabe is lucky to have Ashley by his side.

With some support from family and friends, you'll be able to alleviate some financial stress and allow Ashley to continue providing for her family and Gabe's medical needs. The time we have left with Gabe is unknown, but we are all holding onto hope. If you are unable to help financially, we ask you keep Gabe in your thoughts and prayers, and please help us share this important message.

Here is the (abbreviated) story of Gabe's journey:

2005: Gabe was diagnosed with Epilepsy

2013: A small tumor was found in his brain. The doctors said it was nothing to be concerned about.

Feb 2020: MRI taken, no changes in tumor

June-Sept 2020: Gabe started having tingly, weakening feeling in his left arm and weakness in his left leg. He continued to work at Eikos as a chef but it was becoming increasing difficult to manage.

Oct 8, 2020: Gabe suffers from a few seizures after being free of them for 6 years, an MRI was taken and he was immediately sent to the Emergency Room and hospitalized. The MRI showed his small tumor had grown to the size of a golf ball.

Oct 12, 2020: Surgical biopsy done

Oct 20, 2020: Cancer diagnoses- primary brain tumor. Glioblastoma multiforme (cancer name). We were told the biopsy was only as good as the sample taken. It came back as a grade 2 benign tumor. The neuro oncologist believes it’s a grade 4, cancerous tumor, due to the amount of growth from Feb to Oct. Gabe spent two weeks in a rehabilitation center, as Ashley spent all day, every day learning how to care for Gabe.

Oct 28, 2020: Gabe finally came home.

Nov-Dec 2020: Gabe completed radiation which was 5 days a week for 6 weeks, at the same time as a 42 day chemo pill treatment. During this time, he lost complete mobility in his left arm with having some in his left leg. Walking became challenging and he needed assistance to do so. Gabe was finally able to have a break during Christmas.

Jan-Aug 2021: Gabe started a 28 day chemo pill cycle, 5 days on, 23 days off. Gabe completed 8 rounds of chemo pill treatments in 8 months.

Aug 2021: MRI scan in August showed possible tumor progression, current chemotherapy was stopped.

Sept 2021: During the time between treatments, Gabe slowly lost his ability to walk, to verbally speak and to care for himself.

Oct 14, 2021: Gabe started a new chemo pill therapy, once every 6 weeks while also setting a date to start infusion chemo treatment.

Oct 20, 2021: Gabe had surgery to place an access port in upper right chest to start infusion chemo therapy.

Nov 1, 2021: Gabe starts his first round of infusion chemo therapy, which will be every 2 weeks.

Nov 15, 2021: Gabe Platelet levels were too low to undergo his second round.

After the initial diagnosis, Ashley spent 2 1/2 months away from work to be there for his rehabilitation and radiation treatments. Once treatment was completed, she returned to work part time until Gabe was able to care for himself, then she returned full time.

Since then, Gabe has had countless doctor visits, multiple MRIs, physical therapy and occupational therapy appointments, and is now seeing a great decline in his health.

Now, Gabe needs her more than ever. Ashley is taking a leave of absence from work, unpaid, to be with Gabe and care for him full-time.

A message from Ashley:

I just want it to be known, it is hard for me to ask for help. It’s hard for me to accept help. I have done everything in my power to work, be a caregiver, wife and mother. Everyone always tells me I'm a warrior, but it's Gabe who's the true warrior. I'm just here to help hold him up. We are thankful for all the love, help and support given so far and feel burdened to ask for more.