Medical Expenses - Alan Lewis
Donation protected
THE PERFECT STORM
As many of you might know by now, on January 8th Alan went to the ER with symptoms of a stroke. A CT scan revealed a large mass on his brain. More testing and results indicated a diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor, late stage Glioma. Thankfully, our uniquely connected networks went into high gear on that day, finding the best Neuro Oncologists, Radiologists, and care for him at USCD.
On January 23rd, Alan experienced the perfect storm of issues relating to the tumor. He had a brain bleed from the biopsy and a dangerously low sodium level. The swelling in the tumor from this blocked off the cerebral fluid flow which in turn caused seizures. He was rushed to the ER, unresponsive, where the neurosurgeons performed a procedure to relieve the pressure in the brain. The next day when they woke him from his induced coma and he knew his name, we all knew then that Alan is a fighter. This very talented team of Dr’s then completed a procedure to place a permanent shunt in his brain so that this wouldn’t happen again. We are grateful that every day since the 23rd Alan has continued to gain strength and clarity. Traditional treatment, along with several cutting-edge targeted treatments are in the works.
He has completed 8 days of 15 for radiation and chemotherapy. Doctors, Alan, and all of us are hopeful that with the right treatments we can stop the growth of this tumor and he will go on
to live a healthy, normal life.
THE BLESSINGS
Through this journey, we have seen many blessings along the way. Family and friends have come around Alan and the family showing so much love and support. The prayers and messages have gotten us all through this. Alan says he feels the love. Through times like this you see the beauty of humanity. We thank you for the ongoing prayers, love, visits, and positive thoughts. We thank you for the food, the coffee runs, the rides to treatment, you name it.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Alan’s left side has weakened from the tumor, making it hard for him to walk and move around.
That is the main reason that he has been in the hospital, or in ICU at UCSD Medical Center for the last month. Doctors are confident that he can regain his strength on his left side with the proper Physical Therapy. Alan needs to be strong and self-sufficient in order to be considered for a clinical trial.
THE CHALLENGE
On February 13th, we are bringing Alan home with a plan that will continue to get him
stronger. It is critical that we get Alan walking on his own again in order to qualify for a clinical trial.
Here’s what we have lined up for his recovery for the future:
- 2 ICU Nurses alternating days to care for him 12 hours a day.
- A male caregiver 8 hours a day to help move him from place to place, or in and out of the car for transport to daily radiation treatments. (May we remind you that Alan is 6’8”?)
- A physical therapist 5 days a week to help him gain back strength in his left side.
- Medical transportation for each radiation appointment.
- Equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bars, ramps, etc.
- Supplies and Prescriptions
These are the main costs, totaling over $8,000 a week, much of which is not covered by insurance. You can imagine all of the other unforeseen medical costs. We are confident Alan will thrive in a restorative, safe, and comfortable environment at home. And, he would love to see many of you when possible.
THE ASK
When we set up the Alan Strong Facebook support group, it quickly grew to almost 500 members. This is tantamount to the impact Alan has had on not only his friends and family, but their extended friends and family as well. At one point, a thread was started titled “I Love Alan Because…” The responses in that thread are enough to inspire and encourage us all to live by his example. Shortly after, Emily asked Alan what he loved about himself. His response was that he felt so warmed by everyone’s comments, and they told him he’s viewed as the person he tries to be. So much so that they make him want to double down on being that person.
This is the reason we all love Alan so much.
As you would suspect, Alan is unable to work at this time. He is the CEO of a startup company that he co-founded. The company has been wonderful and are doing everything they can to support Alan. Emily has continued to work remotely at her job, conducting conference calls with clients in the hospital, doing presentations, all while communicating with 10 doctors, transports, and responding to daily issues with the medical establishment.
We would love to help Alan and Emily in any way we can. If you would consider giving what you can to help ease the stress of Alan’s care and recovery, we would be forever grateful.
We are hopeful for this tumor to be stopped and maintained so that Alan can live a full, healthy Life. Again, thank you for all of the ongoing prayers and support to the family, and especially our favorite, lovable, big guy, Alan.
xox
Team Alan Strong!
As many of you might know by now, on January 8th Alan went to the ER with symptoms of a stroke. A CT scan revealed a large mass on his brain. More testing and results indicated a diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor, late stage Glioma. Thankfully, our uniquely connected networks went into high gear on that day, finding the best Neuro Oncologists, Radiologists, and care for him at USCD.
On January 23rd, Alan experienced the perfect storm of issues relating to the tumor. He had a brain bleed from the biopsy and a dangerously low sodium level. The swelling in the tumor from this blocked off the cerebral fluid flow which in turn caused seizures. He was rushed to the ER, unresponsive, where the neurosurgeons performed a procedure to relieve the pressure in the brain. The next day when they woke him from his induced coma and he knew his name, we all knew then that Alan is a fighter. This very talented team of Dr’s then completed a procedure to place a permanent shunt in his brain so that this wouldn’t happen again. We are grateful that every day since the 23rd Alan has continued to gain strength and clarity. Traditional treatment, along with several cutting-edge targeted treatments are in the works.
He has completed 8 days of 15 for radiation and chemotherapy. Doctors, Alan, and all of us are hopeful that with the right treatments we can stop the growth of this tumor and he will go on
to live a healthy, normal life.
THE BLESSINGS
Through this journey, we have seen many blessings along the way. Family and friends have come around Alan and the family showing so much love and support. The prayers and messages have gotten us all through this. Alan says he feels the love. Through times like this you see the beauty of humanity. We thank you for the ongoing prayers, love, visits, and positive thoughts. We thank you for the food, the coffee runs, the rides to treatment, you name it.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Alan’s left side has weakened from the tumor, making it hard for him to walk and move around.
That is the main reason that he has been in the hospital, or in ICU at UCSD Medical Center for the last month. Doctors are confident that he can regain his strength on his left side with the proper Physical Therapy. Alan needs to be strong and self-sufficient in order to be considered for a clinical trial.
THE CHALLENGE
On February 13th, we are bringing Alan home with a plan that will continue to get him
stronger. It is critical that we get Alan walking on his own again in order to qualify for a clinical trial.
Here’s what we have lined up for his recovery for the future:
- 2 ICU Nurses alternating days to care for him 12 hours a day.
- A male caregiver 8 hours a day to help move him from place to place, or in and out of the car for transport to daily radiation treatments. (May we remind you that Alan is 6’8”?)
- A physical therapist 5 days a week to help him gain back strength in his left side.
- Medical transportation for each radiation appointment.
- Equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bars, ramps, etc.
- Supplies and Prescriptions
These are the main costs, totaling over $8,000 a week, much of which is not covered by insurance. You can imagine all of the other unforeseen medical costs. We are confident Alan will thrive in a restorative, safe, and comfortable environment at home. And, he would love to see many of you when possible.
THE ASK
When we set up the Alan Strong Facebook support group, it quickly grew to almost 500 members. This is tantamount to the impact Alan has had on not only his friends and family, but their extended friends and family as well. At one point, a thread was started titled “I Love Alan Because…” The responses in that thread are enough to inspire and encourage us all to live by his example. Shortly after, Emily asked Alan what he loved about himself. His response was that he felt so warmed by everyone’s comments, and they told him he’s viewed as the person he tries to be. So much so that they make him want to double down on being that person.
This is the reason we all love Alan so much.
As you would suspect, Alan is unable to work at this time. He is the CEO of a startup company that he co-founded. The company has been wonderful and are doing everything they can to support Alan. Emily has continued to work remotely at her job, conducting conference calls with clients in the hospital, doing presentations, all while communicating with 10 doctors, transports, and responding to daily issues with the medical establishment.
We would love to help Alan and Emily in any way we can. If you would consider giving what you can to help ease the stress of Alan’s care and recovery, we would be forever grateful.
We are hopeful for this tumor to be stopped and maintained so that Alan can live a full, healthy Life. Again, thank you for all of the ongoing prayers and support to the family, and especially our favorite, lovable, big guy, Alan.
xox
Team Alan Strong!
Organizer and beneficiary
Carlo Saggese
Organizer
Carlsbad, CA
Emily Constantini
Beneficiary
