Help Jonathan's Recovery from Cancer

Aloha, I usually don't post much, but this has been a very significant change in my life and feel the need to share.

I had an MRI in February this year and they found a mass behind my rectum. March tests included cat scans and then a biopsy. Tests confirmed pelvic Chordoma - a very rare form of bone cancer that affects one in one million people with a slow growing tumor wrapped around my cocyx. It was too complicated for the doctors in Hawaii to work on it, so they transported me from Maui to LA on June 9th.

Kaiser Hawaii paid for airfare and hotel room only. My wife Bonny came with me and has been an incredible help.

My surgery was on June 19th with four doctors plus an anesthesia doctor. The doctors said this was possibly the most extensive surgery they have ever done and it lasted over 11 hours. They took out a six inch tumor by operating through my abdomen and then lifting out the tumor by turning me over and cutting through my rear. The plastic surgeons had to fill the cavity by pulling my gluteal muscles together and sewing up the top two inches of my butt. I now have a colostomy for 3 to 6 months and will be using a folio catheter for several weeks. Kaiser doctors and hospital here were exceptional with their care and compassion. Kaiser Hawaii said they were paying for flight and room as a "courtesy" but we are responsible for the balance. Southern California Kaiser paid for most of the surgery but there are co-pays.

We've had to pay for transportation back-and-forth from the hotel room to the hospital many times running up a large Uber bill. Other items causing financial stress besides the co-pays, include food bills, home health care nursing and physical therapy, medication and recovery necessities - wheelchairs and walkers. My FMLA only covered the first weeks and will expire in August and I'm not sure when they will give me medical clearance to return to work meaning much lost work income.That could be a couple more months. We will have to pay fees for medical transportation when we return to Maui because I cannot sit up straight and Kaiser pays nothing for that.

I was in the hospital for 7 days after the operation and am now back at the hotel with Bonny. I'm bedridden and having excruciating pain. We will be here for at least a couple more weeks while they do follow-up testing and eventually give me clearance to fly back to Maui.

We will have to have home health care and physical therapy when we return. Bonny Villa Strong and our family have been very gracious with support, but we are feeling very overwhelmed by all of this.

Looks like I have a very long road ahead with very extensive recovery. We really miss Maui and can't wait to get Home. Thank you for all the kind words, prayers and support!