Life saving medical help for Tony

A Marine is down. Our brother, Anthony Douglas is dying with a CURABLE disease. Anthony has suffered several years of unexplained health decline. Having seen a multitude of physicians and hospitals, Anthony has spent all of his savings and credit trying to get to a diagnosis and proper treatment. He has had dozens of trips to the emergency room. The ravages of this disease have caused him to lose his successful Crescent City, CA HVAC business. He is now destitute and living, in Florida, with his mother. This disease, is often very difficult to diagnose. It is known as one of the “great mimics” to the medical profession. The disease has widespread effects on health, and the ability to function. It is so difficult to diagnose, given the multitude of seeming unrelated complaints, it is often dismissed as psychogenic. 

Anthony's decline began about five years ago, when he began to have unexplained anxiety attacks, bone cysts, hypertension, and the inability to eat and digest a sustainable diet. It has advanced to a 50 lb weight loss. With this disease comes severe bone pain, advanced bone loss, severe muscle spasms and cognitive decline. This disease is hyperparathyroidism- secondary to a parathyroid tumor. This tumor secretes a hormone that releases excess calcium from the bones, and elevates calcium levels in the blood stream, muscles and other organs. Anthony, at 51 years old, due to progressive osteoporosis, now has the bone structure of an 80 year old.

Anthony, after endless begging and pleading with his VA doctors, finally received the appropriate diagnostic testing to determine that his health decline was, in fact, due to this tumor behind his thyroid gland. Unfortunately, due to VA protocols, they will not perform the necessary surgery until his blood calcium is at a 12 (he is now at 11.5, and he has been in the 10s for several years)-despite the fact that he is virtually incapacitated. Fortunately, Anthony was able to have a consultation with a top parathyroid surgeon, who happens to practice right in Anthony's area. Seeing Anthony's desperate circumstances, the surgeon has agreed to do the surgery pro-bono. Unfortunately, Anthony will still have to cover the anesthesia and surgical suite expenses. These services total $7200.00. Anthony has no money, and no assets. He has no credit. He survives on food stamps.  He has not been able to work for the past 2 years and even though he's applied for aide, has not been granted disability payments thus far.

We are pleading with family, friends, acquaintances, old Marine Corps buddies, and anyone else with a little soft spot in their heart for our brother. Please help this good man recover his health, so he can get back to work, life and his family. Anthony has a tentative surgical date of January 31. He must come up with the $7200.00 prior to the procedure. Anything you can contribute would be a Godsend. Thank you, and please share this. 

Note:  Neil Winteregg, Anthony's brother-in-law has been designated to collect the donations and disburse them to Tampa General Hospital.  He has been instrumental in setting up the financing arrangements for Anthony's surgery between Anthony, the surgeon and the hospital.