Homeward Bound for Cancer Treatment

Dear friends, acquaintances, and fellows of Facebook,

On July 30th, I was presented with some unexpected life changing news. I was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer of my immune system. Nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; Stage 2B, to be precise. The resulting tumor was also causing pesky problems such as Superior Vena Cava Syndrome, blood clots, hypothyroidism, and several other related issues.

Since August I have had three chemotherapy infusions and been hospitalized three times for infection, fevers, low blood pressure and other complications arising from treatment. As a result, I have had to forgo the travel and work for which I had been scheduled. The side effects and blood clots currently limit my work capacity. In addition, one of my biopsy surgeries did not heal properly, leaving my arm painful and lacking its former strength and flexibility.

When I first embarked on my trip to Oregon, I knew something grand was in store for me. Would I fall in Love? Secure a career? Possibly make an appearance on American Idol? I was hopeful. As it were, I wouldn’t land in the Northwest for nearly three years. By that time, Love had become Whatever, America rediscovered Justin Bieber, and my McJob refused to cover travel to their Portland market. So, in May 2022, I decided to foot the bill, drive up to spend the summer working, and sleep in my car. I would exercise and shower at Planet Fitness, occasionally camp or stay in hostels, and hopefully crash with a friend once in a while.

Though I had expected and been well-prepared for it as a healthy person, not having stable housing, a private restroom, or consistent access to nutritious/affordable food has been one of the biggest challenges in protecting my now vulnerable immune system. Don’t get me wrong, I never go hungry, but the lack of a kitchen/fridge/toaster oven makes meal planning tricky sometimes. I am fortunate enough to have 1-2 friends who share their space with me when they can.

Cancer is a bitch that requires nutrition, hygiene, good sleep, and social and emotional support to heal from it effectively. I have been handling my regiment very well thus far, but I do not expect this blessing to last forever. With this in mind, my best options for the remainder of the current 6-month treatment plan are:

1) Stay in Oregon through winter and find stable housing/lodging

2) Move back to New Jersey, where my primary support system is, and find treatment and receive Stabile housing (see what I did there)

3) A blend of the first two which would require a lot of cross-country travel.

It has become apparent that I am in a bit of a pickle. I used to be the kind of person who would go to three different stores to find the best price on peaches or eggplant to make a meal. However, I can’t afford that stress right now, nor the energy of finding places to cook/store food, and since organic peaches are $4.00/lb here, I can’t afford them either.

So, at this point, I ask you, my dear friends, to please consider donating to my cancer recovery fund. Your donation will be used towards food and rent or lodging. Or, for the cross-country travel/vehicle costs and storage depending on how my treatment goes. And gasoline, am I right? Or one of the many other exciting and unique bills I never thought I’d be paying, yet are presenting themselves at this time.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I will greatly appreciate any contributions, and I intend to post updates along the way and some songs and other things to show my gratitude.

Thank you and much Love,

Yours truly,

Beltane, Frank Stabile

P.S.

Non-monetary contributions are welcomed and encouraged. I Love flowers, cards, meals, gas/gift cards, chocolate, etc., but I don’t have an address at the moment. If you are considering a monetary donation and want to avoid the processing fees, you can donate to my Venmo or Cashapp. Thank you.

Venmo: @BeltaneFS

Cashapp: $BeltaneFS