Daniel's battle toward recovery
Donation protected
Daniel was diagnosed with a grade 3 oligodendroglioma brain cancer. It's non-sensitive to chemotherapy and he is to undergo 6 weeks of radiotherapy and 12 months of chemo. He doesn't expect help from others so I've made this fundraiser on his behalf.
Please read his story below...
Last year in September 2017, a friend of mine Daniel Massacci, received some tragic news after experiencing a seizure one day in his driveway.
An ambulance trip to the hospital and some scans later, it was revealed that he had a tumour larger than a golf ball inside his brain. As appointments went on, it was understood the tumour was non-cancerous and could be removed via brain surgery.
The waiting list for this surgery was about 5 months long. In this time, Daniel's driver's license was revoked due to risk of seizure and he was prescribed multiple medications that affected his mood and functioning every day.
Unfortunately due to the unpredictable date for the surgery and recovery, Daniel had to put his University teaching degree on hold. He continued to attend work in retail and performed as many tasks as he was able (often with a smile on his face). Toward the end of the 5 month wait for surgery, minor seizures became frequent for Daniel to the point he'd freeze mid conversation, unable to process thoughts or respond due to the tumour affecting his brain.
Despite the daily battles, Daniel maintained as much of his lifestyle as possible. He continued to hit the gym and remain active, not giving up on his passion for sports and fitness.
When the tumour was finally removed, he recovered like a champion and was so brave throughout such a scary experience. Again, he returned to any activity that was within, or tested his limits.
Sadly, lab tests of the removed tumour showed that it was in fact cancerous and would continue to grow. Further surgery would not be able to remove the remaining tumour tissue... and so Daniel headed down the road of radio/chemotherapy to fight the cancer. These therapies, whilst helpful, come with their own side effects that Daniel is now facing and will continue to face. He catches public transport alone to-and-from the hospital most days for his exhausting therapy procedures.
His attitude throughout the majority of this process has been extremely positive and honourable. He's seen bad days no doubt, but not once did he expect the world to stop for him. Daniel held his head high and used his sense of humour and optimism to lighten the darkness of such unfortunate circumstances.
Daniel is passionate, determined, intelligent, kind, sensitive and a loyal, caring friend. Even with his own major difficulties to face, he has still been more considerate and understanding toward others than most people I know.
Along with this, Daniel's workplace of 3 years has recently closed down unexpectedly and he is left with no income whilst Centrelink's lack of service has failed to provide adequate support.
His fiancé Steph has accompanied him through this journey and as you can imagine, she has faced her own set of challenges along the way. Daniel and Steph have several goals in their life together, such as their careers, traveling and hopes to become married. The events of Daniel's medical condition and recent loss of employment have begun to put a financial strain on them, especially after using what money they had to enjoy a previously booked holiday together before Daniel began the year-long therapy that would impact on his daily life and health.
Any donations to support them in this difficult time would be a great help.
Please read his story below...
Last year in September 2017, a friend of mine Daniel Massacci, received some tragic news after experiencing a seizure one day in his driveway.
An ambulance trip to the hospital and some scans later, it was revealed that he had a tumour larger than a golf ball inside his brain. As appointments went on, it was understood the tumour was non-cancerous and could be removed via brain surgery.
The waiting list for this surgery was about 5 months long. In this time, Daniel's driver's license was revoked due to risk of seizure and he was prescribed multiple medications that affected his mood and functioning every day.
Unfortunately due to the unpredictable date for the surgery and recovery, Daniel had to put his University teaching degree on hold. He continued to attend work in retail and performed as many tasks as he was able (often with a smile on his face). Toward the end of the 5 month wait for surgery, minor seizures became frequent for Daniel to the point he'd freeze mid conversation, unable to process thoughts or respond due to the tumour affecting his brain.
Despite the daily battles, Daniel maintained as much of his lifestyle as possible. He continued to hit the gym and remain active, not giving up on his passion for sports and fitness.
When the tumour was finally removed, he recovered like a champion and was so brave throughout such a scary experience. Again, he returned to any activity that was within, or tested his limits.
Sadly, lab tests of the removed tumour showed that it was in fact cancerous and would continue to grow. Further surgery would not be able to remove the remaining tumour tissue... and so Daniel headed down the road of radio/chemotherapy to fight the cancer. These therapies, whilst helpful, come with their own side effects that Daniel is now facing and will continue to face. He catches public transport alone to-and-from the hospital most days for his exhausting therapy procedures.
His attitude throughout the majority of this process has been extremely positive and honourable. He's seen bad days no doubt, but not once did he expect the world to stop for him. Daniel held his head high and used his sense of humour and optimism to lighten the darkness of such unfortunate circumstances.
Daniel is passionate, determined, intelligent, kind, sensitive and a loyal, caring friend. Even with his own major difficulties to face, he has still been more considerate and understanding toward others than most people I know.
Along with this, Daniel's workplace of 3 years has recently closed down unexpectedly and he is left with no income whilst Centrelink's lack of service has failed to provide adequate support.
His fiancé Steph has accompanied him through this journey and as you can imagine, she has faced her own set of challenges along the way. Daniel and Steph have several goals in their life together, such as their careers, traveling and hopes to become married. The events of Daniel's medical condition and recent loss of employment have begun to put a financial strain on them, especially after using what money they had to enjoy a previously booked holiday together before Daniel began the year-long therapy that would impact on his daily life and health.
Any donations to support them in this difficult time would be a great help.
Organizer
Tess Adam
Organizer
Redwood Park, SA