Help support Ed’s journey with cancer.

Hi, my name is Ed, father of 3, aged 22, 12, and 7. My story is long; it started in 2020 when I began taking Otezla, which caused an upset stomach to a whole new degree of stomach sickness. With every bite, I would have to use the restroom within 5-15 minutes. L

In January 2021, after being tired of the side effects of Otezla, I quit taking it, hoping the cha cha cha would stop. It did not. After almost a year, in Oct 2021, my PCP finally gave me a stomach ultrasound, which showed a mass on my liver. I was sent to my first specialist, which took way too long to get things scheduled. I decided after a month to call what was CTCA, and before even getting off the phone, I had scans scheduled and approved within 45 minutes. I was astonished. On November 16th, I had a biopsy done: non-malignant adenoma of section 8 of the right lobe, 8.4x9.3x7.2 if I remember correctly. Upon removal of the adenoma on Feb 8, 2022, it was removed with clear margins and sent to Mayo Clinic for pathology. After a few weeks, it was determined my adenoma had turned into an HCC, almost doubled in size, and they removed my gallbladder. It was a long road to recovery, and I suffer from chronic pain due to the surgery.

In August 2022, I went for a routine eye doctor visit. Upon doing the visit, they found what they thought was a torn retina. I was sent to another specialist, at which time I was diagnosed with choroidal melanoma, which has no cure, and I’m in the higher end of metastasis probability at 2-5 years, with a 72% metastasis probability. I went through brachytherapy on my right eye from Sep 14-21, 2022. It took me almost 2 years to get to a point where I could start working again, but I was not allowed to go back to my job due to constant doctor appointments, as well as the constant pain and nausea. I made a choice to work for myself so I wouldn't have to worry about missing doctors appointment and to be able to take care of my health as needed. I struggle daily my morning usually starts with nausea followed by throwing up. Then constant salivating waiting to throw up or the feeling leaves. This has caused or is exasperating gastro issues that include gerd, bus and my doctor wanting to do another colonoscopy and endoscopy to check the damage by the constant bile coming up in the morning and at night. Once that feeling is gone I take my morning pills hoping not to lose those to the porcelain gods. Most days are spent on the couch just trying to maintain a healthy mindfulness as this disease has been eating me up inside. The thoughts of not being here for my kids, watching them grow into successful adults. Feeling like my fun times are for the most part gone is hard as I want to make them memories with my family, they mean the world to me. We as parents spend our lives trying to teach our children to do there best. My kids see me struggle when they are hear it breaks my heart. Not knowing the future of my life and not knowing that I will be here to watch my babies grow causes so much anguish and stress. Life throws us challenges and it’s on us to make the best of it, I am struggling with all of this journey with cancer. I always figured I would live to be 86 as that was my goal still my goal but life’s changed its path and now I’m fighting just to be here mentally on a daily basis. I struggle with mood swings as the stress does get to me it causes me to break down and feel meek, lost and alone and confused. What did I do to deserve these 2 rare cancers.

Fast forward to November 2023, I started getting nauseous and throwing up daily, multiple times a day. We switched my medication; it didn’t stop, but I felt better. For the last almost year now, it has steadily gotten worse to the point of throwing up multiple times a day nauseas and light headed for most of the day somedays. I struggle getting up and motivation because of the nausea. Then, when I do work, I get sick from the sun or bending over. I applied for Social Security Disability, which was denied and is currently being appealed. Work has been tough as I have not been able to commit the time I need to make enough to pay my bills due to feeling sick. I recently had a brain scan due to the nausea, light-headedness, throwing up, space cadet feeling, and fainting. They have determined that it’s one of a few things, small vessel ischemia, migraines, and or a small right mastoid effusion. All of which explain a lot of how I am feeling. They are all treatable so I am beyond happy it was not cancer, as that was a thought. I’m just waiting to hear from the doctor as to what the plan is.

I don’t like asking for help, so this is hard for me to do. I’m beyond grateful for any little bit that can be given. I am trying to raise enough money to see a neuropathy clinic that my insurance doesn’t cover, as well as getting caught up on my bills so I don’t lose what I’ve worked so hard to get to. I am beyond grateful for everything that you’re able to donate to help me reach my goal I am beyond blessed for your help.