Help Pedro Fight Grade 2 Meningioma

In January 2016, Pedro went to what he thought was a routine eye exam.  Little to his knowledge, his life would be changed forever after that appointment.  While the eye care practitioner was doing her routine check, she noticed there was something off.  Pedro was then rushed to the emergency room where he was informed that he had a large tumor on the frontal left lobe of his brain.  He underwent a 6+ hour surgery to have this tumor removed.  When he was informed of the size of this, the surgeon compared to it as being as large as a human fist.  They were unable to remove the entire tumor because it was so large that it was crossing over onto the frontal right lobe as well.  Exactly two months later, Pedro had his second brain surgery, which was over 3 ½ hours, to remove the remainder of the tumor.  

Pedro then underwent daily radiation for about 2 ½ months.  On his last day of radiation, his mother in law passed away, which was another shock and hardship to endure for him and his family.  Pedro then underwent a few MRI’s to check and be sure that the surgery and radiation has helped control the growth of the tumor, only to find out that the tumor has come back, but more aggressive.  With this happening, Pedro had to undergo a Gamma Knife procedure (very precise form of radiation therapy that focuses intense beams of gamma rays).  Typically, a Gamma Knife procedure works on majority of the patients that utilize it.  After this procedure, the MRI indicated that it appeared to be successful.  There was then another MRI approximately 6 months later and the tumor had reappeared.  Pedro has since undergone a total of 3 Gamma Knife procedures, and the tumor has again come back aggressively. 

Most recently, in September 2018, Pedro underwent another craniectomy because there was a tumor that was growing on the exterior of the skull.  This should have been something simple to remove, but during the surgery, the neurosurgeon found that this tumor was actually growing from underneath the skull.  The doctors have now exhausted all radiation options and has now referred Pedro to a medical oncologist, but due to this meningioma being so rare and aggressive, there are not many studies out there in how to treat this.  Pedro is now being referred to a hospital in Seattle in order to see how the doctors would recommend treating this tumor.  Unfortunately, with all of Pedro’s surgeries and appointments, he has been unable to work, but bills still continue to build up, and Pedro still has three children to care for. Through all this happening, Pedro has kept a kind spirit, and has tried to stay hopefull.  Any assistance given would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you for taking the time to read this!