It started with a cough:
My sweet nephew Alex started his cancer journey on January 15, 2021.
Alex had a persistent cough for a few weeks and then began coughing up blood. He took himself to the nearest emergency care and was promptly told he needed to go to the hospital. Once at Huntington hospital, he was put into a covid waiting tent and soon after he was moved to an emergency bed, eventually being admitted.  After a series of tests were completed he was told that he was very sick and it was not Covid.  He had a rare germ cell cancer. 

Diagnosis and treatment plan:

The official diagnoses:
1: Mediastinal mass
2: Nonseminomatous germ cell neoplasm.

The treatment plan:
4 rounds of chemotherapy which consisted of 5, 8 hours days and then 2 weeks to recover before the next round started.

Alex began chemotherapy on January 25th almost immediately after being diagnosed. The mass in his chest was 9 inches so the doctors wanted to try and shrink it with the chemotherapy before surgery.
Chemotherapy was grueling and hard on Alex. He was nauseous and sick everyday through the process. 

After completing  chemotherapy and his immune system was strong enough, Alex was scheduled for thoracic surgery to remove the mass with the possibility of additional chemotherapy after.
During the weeks leading up to surgery, Alex started to complain of headaches, nausea and problems with his vision.

On Wednesday May 19th, Alex under went thoracic surgery in which the doctors were able to remove 90% of the mass in his lung. Alex was on the road to recovery, so we thought. 

On May 20th & 21st,   Alex suffered from seizures while recovering from surgery. The doctors ordered a MRI and CT scan which revealed that Alex had  3 masses in his brain.

On June 1st, Alex under went emergency brain surgery to remove a 8cm mass. This was to relieve the pressure on his brain and to prevent further seizure from occurring. The doctors were not sure if he would continue to have vision issues moving forward but only time will tell.  Alex was admitted to the ICU after the successful brain surgery. 

On June 3rd, Alex was moved from the ICU to the thoracic floor where his 3 year old son, Milo was able to visit for an hour.

Alex's wife, Chelly  has been steadfast and his rock during  this challenging process.
They were married January 27, 2021 after 10 years of dating and have been raising their 3 year old son, Milo. 
Chelly and Alex know he still has a long journey ahead of him and believe in God's plan for his treatment. 
Alex will have to undergo additional chemotherapy and radiation for the brain tumor but he is determined to beat this so he can watch his son grow up and grow old with Chelly.
As many of you know insurance does not cover all the medical expenses, Alex and his family have incurred. We started this fund to help elevate the stress of the expenses.
Alex is unaware of this fund because he would never ask for help. Any support is a blessing and will go toward their expenses and medical bills. We also appreciate your continued prayers. Alex is a warrior and we believe in faith, hope and God's plan. 

Exodus 14:14. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future
Milo's visit

Alex after he shaved his head

Chelly and Alex on their wedding day

Alex & Chelly Girotti his rock and love of his life