Help Alex Way Fight against Brain Cancer
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Introduction
Alex Way, of Binghamton NY, was diagnosed with brain cancer called Anaplastic Astrocytoma, grade 3, at the age of 24 in 2011. He was successfully treated and remained in remission for a record-breaking 8 years.
After a sudden onset of seizures, in February 2019, an MRI showed tumor regrowth. The diagnosis was bleak: glioblastoma, grade 4. This form of cancer is incurable. His doctors in the local area recommended immediate treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute, in New York City, as the best option.
Alex will begin targeted intensive chemotherapy in NYC and will be needing funds as soon as possible for travel, housing, food, and expenses not covered by insurance. This is the reason for this Go-Fund-Me page. At this time, the goal is $10,000 for immediate need.
The Backstory
Hi, my name is Andrea Linder. I'm Alex’s life partner. We have been together for several years. Life with MRI's and CT scans had become routine. We simply just worked around it. Alex completed his Master's in Psychology and became a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I am a RN in behavioral health. We began living together 3 years ago. We enjoy many activities together. Music is a common theme. Alex is in the band called Bad Kung Fu. He plays most instruments known to man, and is especially great at harmonica and guitar. He writes and preforms original music. Here's a picture of us from last summer enjoying a concert in Niagara Falls.
In the February, Alex experienced violent seizures which was to begin the worst nightmare possible: the tumor had grown back and now spread into other parts of Alex’s brain.
This was devastating. His parents were heartbroken. I was numb.
The ball was rolling … and rolling very fast. Within days of confirmed tumor, Alex was told he had to go to the best cancer treatment center: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Treatment Center in New York, NY. Time was --- and IS--- of the essence. He had initial appointments in the beginning of March. The surgeon who met with Alex said that surgery might NOT be an option. The case was brought before the Sloan Kettering Tumor board to review. Thank God, it was decided to go forth.
Surgery!!!
March 25, 2019, Alex underwent MRI-intraoperative brain tumor removal surgery. That means that Alex was awake for much of the surgery. The tumor was located near the parts that control movement and speech. The surgeon had to be sure his scalpel wasn’t injuring critical areas. Alex has clear memories of talking about music with the surgeon. Stopping at one point to listen to Alex play the harmonica on You Tube.
Alex spent 3 days in the neuro critical care unit. Day 1:
He progressed rapidly! The surgery had been VERY successful in removing much more of the tumor than the surgeon thought!
By Day 3, Alex was sitting up in a chair!
Discharge:
He has been discharged & recovering at home, taking steroidal treatment to reduce swelling. He was tapered off the steroid just a day ago. Ales has been spending time with his wonderful family and many friends.
Here's Alex with his mom:
And his whole family:
The Now
We had hope to get the ALL CLEAR from the surgeon and begin talk about the future on April 10, 2019.
Instead, on April 8, Alex received a call from Sloan Kettering: the tumor biopsy indeed was a glioblastoma, grade 4, and it was URGENT that he begin intensive therapy at Sloan Kettering in New York City as early as next week. We hadn’t expected to hear this news before the appointments set up for April 10, 2019.
In one phone call, we were set up with about 8 more appointments back to back on April 10.
We certainly hadn't expected the ball to start rolling again at break-neck speed. But here we are.
Expected Next Steps
As much as a grade 4 diagnosis is terrible, it opens doors to other treatments besides chemo and radiation, such as clinical trials and immune therapy. Much is unclear right now. I will post updates as regularly as possible.
One thing I know for sure: I am confident that Alex is in the best medical care at Sloan-Kettering.
But we urgently need your help.
All together the costs, uncovered by insurance, are estimated to be thousands of dollars. If you would like to contribute in another way: prayers and positive thoughts are especially meaningful. Please share this page and spread the word for this.
Thank you so much!
Alex Way, of Binghamton NY, was diagnosed with brain cancer called Anaplastic Astrocytoma, grade 3, at the age of 24 in 2011. He was successfully treated and remained in remission for a record-breaking 8 years.
After a sudden onset of seizures, in February 2019, an MRI showed tumor regrowth. The diagnosis was bleak: glioblastoma, grade 4. This form of cancer is incurable. His doctors in the local area recommended immediate treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute, in New York City, as the best option.
Alex will begin targeted intensive chemotherapy in NYC and will be needing funds as soon as possible for travel, housing, food, and expenses not covered by insurance. This is the reason for this Go-Fund-Me page. At this time, the goal is $10,000 for immediate need.
The Backstory
Hi, my name is Andrea Linder. I'm Alex’s life partner. We have been together for several years. Life with MRI's and CT scans had become routine. We simply just worked around it. Alex completed his Master's in Psychology and became a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I am a RN in behavioral health. We began living together 3 years ago. We enjoy many activities together. Music is a common theme. Alex is in the band called Bad Kung Fu. He plays most instruments known to man, and is especially great at harmonica and guitar. He writes and preforms original music. Here's a picture of us from last summer enjoying a concert in Niagara Falls.
In the February, Alex experienced violent seizures which was to begin the worst nightmare possible: the tumor had grown back and now spread into other parts of Alex’s brain.
This was devastating. His parents were heartbroken. I was numb.
The ball was rolling … and rolling very fast. Within days of confirmed tumor, Alex was told he had to go to the best cancer treatment center: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Treatment Center in New York, NY. Time was --- and IS--- of the essence. He had initial appointments in the beginning of March. The surgeon who met with Alex said that surgery might NOT be an option. The case was brought before the Sloan Kettering Tumor board to review. Thank God, it was decided to go forth.
Surgery!!!
March 25, 2019, Alex underwent MRI-intraoperative brain tumor removal surgery. That means that Alex was awake for much of the surgery. The tumor was located near the parts that control movement and speech. The surgeon had to be sure his scalpel wasn’t injuring critical areas. Alex has clear memories of talking about music with the surgeon. Stopping at one point to listen to Alex play the harmonica on You Tube.
Alex spent 3 days in the neuro critical care unit. Day 1:
He progressed rapidly! The surgery had been VERY successful in removing much more of the tumor than the surgeon thought!
By Day 3, Alex was sitting up in a chair!
Discharge:
He has been discharged & recovering at home, taking steroidal treatment to reduce swelling. He was tapered off the steroid just a day ago. Ales has been spending time with his wonderful family and many friends.
Here's Alex with his mom:
And his whole family:
The Now
We had hope to get the ALL CLEAR from the surgeon and begin talk about the future on April 10, 2019.
Instead, on April 8, Alex received a call from Sloan Kettering: the tumor biopsy indeed was a glioblastoma, grade 4, and it was URGENT that he begin intensive therapy at Sloan Kettering in New York City as early as next week. We hadn’t expected to hear this news before the appointments set up for April 10, 2019.
In one phone call, we were set up with about 8 more appointments back to back on April 10.
We certainly hadn't expected the ball to start rolling again at break-neck speed. But here we are.
Expected Next Steps
As much as a grade 4 diagnosis is terrible, it opens doors to other treatments besides chemo and radiation, such as clinical trials and immune therapy. Much is unclear right now. I will post updates as regularly as possible.
One thing I know for sure: I am confident that Alex is in the best medical care at Sloan-Kettering.
But we urgently need your help.
All together the costs, uncovered by insurance, are estimated to be thousands of dollars. If you would like to contribute in another way: prayers and positive thoughts are especially meaningful. Please share this page and spread the word for this.
Thank you so much!
Organizer
Andrea Scott Linder
Organizer
Binghamton, NY
