Help Fund Eddie's Cancer Treatment Related Costs
Hello, Facebook friends and families.
I am Erin, who loves this family with all my heart.
Shannah and I have been sisters close for 30 years now. I was around when Eddie and Shannah started dating. I have watched them raise 3 beautiful strong young ladies over these years.
Nobody is ever prepared to get the call that a loved one has stage 4 cancer. I cannot even begin to try and wrap my heart around this if I was in her shoes.
Though, doing one of the MANY things she does best...was to tackle Eddie's diagnosis head-on with grace, strength, and LOVE.
They have kept this burden to themselves far too long. Now it's time to let US help them and show some love. This close family of 5 is grateful for whatever amount you could assist with... Seriously no amount is too small...it all adds up!
My wish for them is to help lighten the financial burden while Eddie continues to fight the fight.
Light n Love,
Erin
BACKGROUND STORY - as shared on Facebook
Facebook Friends and Family,
This is going to be a very difficult and long post, so please bear with me.
2020 was an especially hard year for our family. In early October some ongoing health issues landed Eddie in the emergency room. We were anticipating his symptoms were related to possible complications from a surgery in August to correct an incisional hernia as well as lab work run by his PCP showing that he was (unknown to us) a full-blown diabetic. After hours of tests and imaging, it was discovered that Eddie had stage 4 colon cancer. We were devastated.
Eddie was admitted to the hospital and after that point, things went both frighteningly fast and painfully slow. More imaging and a meeting with the oncologist confirmed that cancer had spread to his liver, peritoneum (the lining of his abdomen), lungs, and some lymph nodes as well. We were told that he was inoperable and without chemotherapy, he would have weeks to live.
He was released from the hospital on a Saturday afternoon after a four-day stay. Once home our little family huddled together and tried to process everything from the past four days. Everyone went to bed that night exhausted, but very grateful to have Eddie home. Unfortunately, in the early hours of Sunday, we received a call saying that Eddie's mom was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Eddie and I jumped in the car and headed there. His mom passed away shortly after we arrived. Although she had been dealing with health issues for many years, her passing was unexpected. More devastation.
Much has happened in the nearly 10 months since that initial ER trip. Mid-October Eddie began his treatment plan - which is considered "chemo for life". He had a port surgically placed on the right side of his chest, under the skin. This port allows direct access to the main artery that delivers the chemo cocktail to his liver, the area most affected by cancer. Of course, the chemo also attacks cancer cells in other parts of his body as well, but the focus is on his liver.
On October 26th Eddie received his first chemo treatment. Initially, the in-hospital part of the infusion consisted of three separate drugs and took about 7 hours total. He would then leave with a "take-home" device that slowly pumped the fourth drug into his system over 46 hours, after which he would return to have it disconnected. His treatments are every other week, typically with infusions on Mondays and disconnection on Wednesdays. Little has changed with this schedule with the exception of discontinuing one of the in-hospital drugs (reducing infusion time to three hours) - but he still has the 46 hours take-home device.
20 infusions, countless tests, imaging, and doctor consultations later and the cancer is still responding to chemotherapy. The lesions (tumors) are gone from his lungs and significantly smaller in other areas - which is amazing news and we are super grateful! However, Eddie is still considered inoperable at this time so he will continue with the current treatment plan, the goal is for the continued shrinking of the tumors and eventual surgery to remove the affected parts of the liver and colon.
So that's the medical breakdown. How are we doing as a family? We are hanging in here. Some days are harder than others. We've gained some amazing new friends, solidified existing friendships, and have the support of some wonderful family members...on the flip side, unfortunately, what they say is true - you find out who your true friends (and family) are when the going gets tough - and we are most definitely "in the tough".
As summer gets into full swing we hope to see many of you while out and about - if you know Eddie, you know he is a music-loving social butterfly - don't hesitate to say hi!
Love to all,
The Mignini's
Eddie, Shannah, Aleigha, Mandalyn and Kayleigh
HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED
All funds will go to the Mignini family to help reduce past medical-related expenses not covered by insurance as well as provide some relief for future treatments and care. Some of these things include; (some) medications, vitamins and supplements, nutritional meal drinks, medicinal marijuana (for pain, nausea and appetite stimulation) and parts of chemotherapy not covered by insurance. Funds will also be used to help off set monthly household expenses (groceries, utilities, doctor appointment related gas costs).
ABOUT THE MIGNINI FAMILY
As many of you know Eddie is a Realtor. After his diagnosis he was encouraged to put his career on hold and focus on treatments and recovery. Shannah retired from the Howard County School System to become Eddie's caregiver and run the family home. Aleigha will return to Towson University for her senior year, completing her bachelors degree in Family & Human Services and then pursue a masters in Counseling Psychology (Dr. Mignini!). Mandalyn will enter her sophomore year at Howard Community College with a major in her passion, early special education. Kayleigh will be a junior in high school and is hoping for another year of virtual learning. Furbabies, Macks and Zoey, will continue being the bestest doggo's ever and adore having all their humans home - they indulge in snuggles and lovins as often as possible!