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Get well Shaquille

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Hello everyone,

My name is Shaquille, I am twenty-eight years old and a father of two little girls, ages seven and two. One day, I noticed some changes in my body. I noticed I was extremely tired and in a lot of pain, however; I didn't really think anything of it since I was working 10 hour shifts 4am-2pm and taking care of a five-year-old daughter and expecting a little one on the way. After weeks of dismissing and working through the changes in my body, I noticed blood in my urine. I immediately made an appointment with my family Dr. and was asked to come in several days later. During my visit, I provided blood samples and urinalysis and was told to go home and watch for signs of a blood clot or Kidney Stones passing through my urine. My Dr. didn't feel the need to send me to the Emergency room at that time and I went home as instructed. Later that evening, I noticed changes to my urine. This time, the blood became increasingly heavier and more frequently. I immediately went to Urgent Care. 

During my visit to Urgent Care, the PA ordered a CT Scan and repeated the uranalysis and blood work. As a result, I was told that the CT Scan, my urine and blood work looked fine and was immediately sent home. This time, I was told that if I noticed a blood clot or changes to my urine expulsion, I should immediately go to the Emergency room. After my visit to Urgent Care, I contacted my Primary Care Dr. To let him know what’s been going on he scheduled an appt to see A Nephrologists (Dr. who specializes in conditions that affect the Kidney). However, this appt was months away. Later that night, I was awoken to a sharp pain on the left side of my abdomen. This was the worse pain I ever felt; it felt like someone was stabbing me. I was unable to stand or walk I could not wait on the ambulance my pregnant girlfriend and 5 year old daughter had to help me into the car and rushed me to the Emergency Room. 

During the emergency room visit, the Drs. ordered an MRI and recommended that I get surgery ASAP to have my left kidney removed to stop the blood and to do more testing. They removed my left kidney and did some testing, after several hours of waiting on results, I was given devastating news that would change my life forever! The doctors diagnosed me with Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC) and was told I had 18-20 months left to live. RMC is a rare and aggressive form of Kidney Cancer that is mostly found in African American males with the sickle cell trait but also affects some people who come from Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern or Asian and Indian backgrounds .There are only a few hundred cases each year.    


As you can imagine this is not an easy time for me I am asking everyone to help donate during this difficult time proceeds will go towards 

Transportation to and from treatments chemotherapy
radiation 
blood labs 

Also dietary changes recommended by a nutritionist and any other unexpected expenses all donations will be appreciated during these challenging times. Thank you 


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Donations 

  • Timothy and Pearl Griffin
    • $100
    • 2 yrs
  • Mary Jane Milano
    • $40
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $140
    • 2 yrs
  • Roderic Coombs
    • $100
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $50
    • 2 yrs
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Organizer

Shaquille Patterson
Organizer
Rochester, NY

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