Kōkua 4 Kaleo’s Fight against cancer!

On the evening of June 26th I came home to find Kaleo on the couch, and in pain. Initially we thought it was just constipation, so I purchased over the counter medication and jokingly told him to take it and call me in the morning. The next day, however, the pain persisted, and he hadn’t been able to go to the bathroom despite the medication he has previously taken. Suspecting a kidney stone, I decided to take him to the Emergency Room.

At 8:37 AM, our lives were turned upside down. The Doctor explained that they had found two masses on my son’s abdomen, 7cm and 5cm in size. It looked like cancer, but more tests were needed to determine the type and extent. I held my son close and reassured him, “Don’t worry, kiddo. We’ve got this, and we’ll fight it together.” The news was eerily reminiscent of a painful time 15 years ago when my nephew was diagnosed with cancer after a similar situation. Tragically, he is no longer with us.

As the tests continued, I made calls to our family, seeking their support. The confirmation came: my son had Stage 3 Cancer, which had spread to his lungs, spine (T12), and abdomen. That same day, he underwent major surgery to remove the primary tumor and have a chemo port placed. When he finally came out of surgery, his first words were, “That was the best sleep of my life.” At that moment, all that mattered was that he was okay.

I knew time was of the essence, and there were many things that needed to be arranged. My son, who dreams of having children one day, needed a plan to preserve his future. We worked tirelessly to secure a primary care physician and coordinate his ongoing treatment. On July 9th, we met with our Urologist to begin planning his next steps. By July 15th, we were flying to Honolulu for consultations and appointments with various specialists to prepare for chemotherapy.

On July 22nd, my son celebrated his 24th birthday and on July 29th, Kaleo began chemo. He has now completed his first round of chemotherapy, with three more to go prior to surgery.

This surgery will be a significant undertaking, likely requiring travel to the mainland, possibly California. We are told the operation will be extensive, and his recovery may necessitate an extended stay on the mainland until he is well enough to return home.

We are humbly asking for your support for Kaleo to receives the best possible care. Your generosity will help us to focus on his fight, healing and recovery without the added stress of financial strain. Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference as we navigate this challenging time. Your kindness will enable us to prioritize Kaleo's well-being, ensuring he receives the necessary medical attention and treatment to overcome his current health obstacles. Thank you for considering a donation to support Kaleo's journey towards recovery.

please add #kokua4kaleo and https://linktr.ee/kokua_for_kaleo while sharing our story to help us spread the word. Mahalo!