Help with stage 4 lymphoma cancer

Gio - Cancer - Go Fund Me

Hello Friends and Family:

My name is Giovanni Irizarry, and only son of Gloria Ruiz. Both me and my mom need your help and would appreciate it if you read this entire post completely and share with others as you see fit. I know everyone is going through things in this time of inflation and state of the economy. I feel bad and uncomfortable asking as it is neither my moms or my nature to ask for help or share our struggles. But we desperately need your help and every little bit helps no matter how small or big. I thank you ahead of time for taking the time to read this and anything you can do to contribute to our fund.

I started a Go Fund Me Account, but also giving everyone the option to send money to Cash App Bank Account. Especially due to the cost Go Fund Me charges, I have had many requests for the Cash App option so the funds go directly to bank account as their preferred option as we will get the money directly. Here are the 2 options you can choose:

- Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/b8552386

- Cash App Account: $dragonking716

I didn't want to do this, but the last 5 months has been really hard on me and my mom. The money I am asking for would not be only for me but also my mom. Especially since now both our savings have diminished to $0. I'm so sorry to have to share that the news that I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer that has spread throughout my upper body especially embedded in my kidney, back, bones and spine. My doctors reassure me this is curable, I have many more chemo treatments as of right now along with Dr Appointments, and all kinds of tests, ie. pet scans, chemo, cat scans, bloodwork, and physical therapy etc. in which you have to pay a co-pay every time, it is making it difficult without money to getting the help I need and not help my mom.

I was diagnosed at the end of May 2023 after being in hospital for back pain and they kept me in the hospital for further cancer testing because the found black spots in my kidneys. When finally getting all the results from pet scan and involving my mom, that same week she was laid off shorty after returning back from medical leave due to hip surgery from a fall that fractured her left hip. I'm not gonna lie it's been a struggle since my diagnosis and it weighs heavily on me knowing I am adding to my mom's stress and that I cannot help my mom financially nor physically. It's ironic that now we are taking care of each other. I see the stress in my mom as at that time she was also struggling but made lots of improvement to get well. Now the added stress has made it difficult on her and shows up in many different ways. She is currently going through painful process of job hunting. With no money coming in she is worried about not only paying for Cobra insurance in which she is trying to find money for Nov 1st payment along with necessary bills. She has to keep Cobra in order to keep her same Dr's and preexisting conditions. Along with food which she needs as she rently dropped down to 85 pounds and now finally back up to 100.5 pounds. She gets on the scale every day to maintain weight above 100 since food is her lifeline to stay alive.

I myself have to deal with severe pain every day throughout my body especially with having a narrow spine from birth that my mother was unaware of. The pain affects my back, spine, hips and legs. Pretty much the whole body along with constant nausea. I can only stay on my feet for so long and difficulties with handing outdoor heat which is a side effect from chemo. The lymph nodes are all throughout my upper body and kidneys that are enlarged and inflamed which I found out when I went to hospital for severe back pain. My mother asked me to have them check the grapefruit size ball under my armpit now that I had medical insurance for the 1st time and can have it checked. Which resulted in surprise diagnoses of cancer. The doctors have been giving me meds to manage the body pain and nausea. They work to an extent but not all the way. They are also giving me shots in spine to help with some relief. I have had many doctor appointments taking blood, MRIs, CAT scans, Pet Scans, biopsies, lumbar testng, bone marrow extracted, etc., etc.

It feels weird and hard for me to reach out to friends and family to ask for money, but it was absolutely necessary to get the deparate help needed not only for me but also my mom. Due to my cancer condition, I have been able to work some but can't do the physical work like I did before. I am a screen installer for both residential and businesses. I have been very blessed to have the boss I have who has helped me stay employed by going out in the field to provide customers with quotes. However the pay is not the same as the physical labor of screen installations pays lots more. I want to work more but when trying to test out doing an installation, by the end job I was sick with nausea and escruitiating pain. These limitations is why I'm asking for your help. I can barely pay for my expenses along with all the additional medical expenses. At times having to borrow from my mom knowing she is also struggling. Especially now with her having no funds coming in, being single, and head of household.

Those of you who know me, know that i have been watching over my mom for the past 2 years due to her medical conditions and at one point thought I was going to lose her to death of which she came close to twice which hasn't been easy on either of us. Though I am blessed to still still working, unfortunately not been able to work much because of the body pain, Dr appointments and chemo treatments, paying both personal and medical expenses is difficult and I am not making it. Chemo has now starting to show not only positive results but also additional longer lasting sickness, loss of appetite, so much more pain and down time. I can only be on my feet or in the sun for so long before I get really sick and have to sit down and rest to get air under Air Conditioner or a fan, which really sucks. Because of my mom's health, she's been out of work for the past few months and now looking for work. Both our bills and expenses are piling up.

The money you donate will go towards paying rent, bills, food, medication, and everyday living expenses. I will also be having to figure getting to my appointments for chemo and pain management due not having enough money to do repairs to my car. My health insurance only covers so much on top of the additional medicine expense cost for meds being prescribed. My insurance premiums and co-pays will be going up soon as well when they reevaluate my insurance. And who knows whatever other expenses will pop up along the way.

I know times are tough right now for everyone, but I'm asking from the bottom of my heart, any amount you can spare will really help me and my mom get through this next several months. I would also appreciate if you can share with your friends and family as well. Both me and mom will forever grateful. I am sending lots of love and hugs. We are truly greatfull and thank you for your help. I wish everyone love, health and prosperity and that you have a Happy and Safe Holidays.

Sincerely,

Gio