After 12 Years Cancer-Free, VIPoma Returned — I Need Help Reaching My $5,000 Goal
My name is Shawn, and after 12 years of being free from VIPoma, I am now facing this rare neuroendocrine tumor for the second time. Over the past several months, my health has declined rapidly. I’ve been experiencing extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and an unintentional weight loss of 38 pounds. No matter how much I rest, it never feels like enough. These symptoms have made it difficult to work, keep up with daily responsibilities, and maintain any sense of normalcy.
VIPoma is a very rare neuroendocrine tumor that causes the body to produce extremely high levels of a hormone called VIP. When VIP levels rise, the body loses large amounts of fluid and electrolytes, leading to severe diarrhea, dehydration, rapid weight loss, and dangerous imbalances. Treatment usually requires long-term monthly injections to suppress the hormone and control symptoms.
Recent testing showed that VIP levels in my blood are extremely high, which is a sign that the disease is active again. To suppress these levels and control the symptoms, I need to begin monthly octreotide injections right away. My doctor believes I will likely need this treatment long-term, which means I will be facing these costs every year when insurance resets.
The financial burden of all this has become overwhelming. The medication I need — Octreotide — costs around $24,000 per injection before insurance. Even with insurance, I am responsible for a $1,000 out-of-pocket amount (which I have already paid), a $5,000 out-of-pocket maximum, and $1,400 per treatment every month until that maximum is met. Once I reach the $5,000 out-of-pocket maximum, but getting to that point is financially impossible for me on my own.
Living in San Diego makes this even harder. Rent and cost of living here are among the highest in the country, and with my health declining and my work hours affected, it’s becoming impossible to keep up. I’m doing everything I can to stay afloat, but the financial strain is becoming too much to handle alone.
I’m not someone who asks for help easily, but I’m at a point where I truly need support. My goal is to raise at least $5,000 — enough to cover my out-of-pocket maximum so I can continue receiving the treatments I need without falling further behind. Any donation, no matter the amount, will help me stay on my treatment plan and keep up with essential medical care.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting me during one of the hardest moments of my life. I’m staying hopeful, and I’m grateful for every person who stands with me as I fight this again.