Join the Fight: Supporting Carlos Against Sarcoma

The summer of 2022. I remember it like it was yesterday. The warmth of the sun couldn't quite reach the chill that settled in my bones when I heard the words: synovial cell sarcoma. A diagnosis so rare, they said I was one in a two million. It felt isolating, like standing on a deserted island in a vast ocean. The first wave of this battle brought surgery, a resection that took not just the tumor, but a piece of me – a finger and part of my left hand. It was a difficult loss, a constant reminder of the unwelcome guest in my body. Yet, even in that physical subtraction, a seed of hope was planted. The doctors had more time, and maybe, just maybe, they would find a way to conquer this. I held onto that hope, trusting in the Lord's plan, even when it was shrouded in uncertainty.

For over two years, life found a new rhythm. I learned to navigate the world with a changed hand, grateful for the everyday moments, the laughter with my family, the simple blessings that still surrounded me. I prayed, I lived, I hoped. I believed that the Lord had a purpose in all of this, a reason for this unexpected journey.

Then, last Christmas, the news came like a thief in the night. The sarcoma was back, more aggressive, more determined. The familiar fear returned, but this time, it was accompanied by a deeper weariness. The treatment so far –intensive radiotherapy – has been grueling. My body, especially my hand, feels like it's been through a war, and in many ways, it has.

But beyond the physical struggle, the financial burden has become a crushing weight, especially now with another surgery looming. Insurance offers a degree of support, but it simply isn't enough to cover the ever-increasing expenses. The upcoming resection surgery is a crucial step, a chance to fight back with renewed vigor. But the costs associated with it – the surgery itself, the anesthesia, the hospital stay, the potential for unforeseen complications – are substantial. And beyond the surgery, there's the follow-up care: more appointments, more potential therapies, the constant need for gas to travel, specialized medical supplies to aid in my recovery, and the ongoing cost of prescriptions.

This financial strain impacts not just me, but my entire family. The worry of how to meet these mounting expenses adds another layer of stress to an already challenging situation. It makes it harder to focus on healing, harder to maintain hope when the practical realities feel so overwhelming.

This journey has tested my faith in ways I never imagined, but it has also deepened it. I see God's hand in the love of my family, the dedication of my medical team, and the small acts of kindness that have come my way from many people. I believe He is with me in this, guiding me, strengthening me.

Asking for help isn't easy, but I know I can't navigate this next chapter alone. This battle is bigger than me, bigger than my family's resources. Your support, any contribution, big or small, will be a tangible blessing; a testament to the power of community and the goodness of the human heart. It would be a reminder that even in the midst of a rare and aggressive cancer, I am not forgotten, that there are people who care and are willing to stand with me in this fight. It would directly alleviate the financial burden associated with the upcoming surgery and the crucial follow-up care. Allowing me to focus more fully on healing and on regaining my strength to continue fighting for a cure alongside my medical team.

Please consider supporting me in this battle. Your generosity would not only ease a significant financial burden but would also provide a much-needed boost of hope and encouragement as I face this next surgery and the road to recovery. Your support would be an answer to prayer, a testament to His love working through you.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for opening your heart, and for considering how you might be a part of God's healing plan in my life. Please pray for me and know of my prayers for you.

God bless you!