Richard Tuszynski

Rich is a family man and since having grandchildren and becoming a Pap has spent about 20 years driving all over Southern California with his wife to his grandchildren's plays, musicals, dance recitals, Christmas shows, Grandparents Days, Graduations, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey and Soccer Games and tournaments.  The sporting events were probably his favorites, but he has always been there supporting his children and grandchildren and maybe giving some advice along the way.  
 
Rich had been having some knee pain and in January 2018 went to the doctor.  After numerous appointments, tests and referrals to different doctors they found on March 26th that he had a very rare form of Stage 4 Kidney cancer that only 1% of the population gets called Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma that had spread to his knee, lungs, clavicle and hip.  Two days later he had the tumor from his knee removed and then was referred to a Renal Oncologist.  After 2 1/2 months of dealing with insurance company red tape, he has finally started chemotherapy.  He and his family were shocked to learn that their portion of the chemotherapy would be $3000/month and $150/month for his nausea medication.  After applying for grants and being denied Pam reached out to the drug company to see if there was anything they could do.  God answered his family's prayers when Novartis said they would cover the first three months, but the bills are starting to come in from his surgery, second opinions, numerous doctors appointments, tests and emerfency room visits.  His family is doing their best to stay ahead of the bills, but the costs are overwhelming. 


The chemotherapy will not cure his cancer, but will hopefully prolong his life.  Two of his grandsons will be starting their senior year of high school in August one as the starting Catcher of his Varsity baseball team and the other playing goalie on his school's new Lacrosse team. Pap is excited to be able to continue watching his grandchildren play and hopes to make three of his grandsons graduations next May (2 from high school and one from middle school). With everything he is going through he still managed to make it to his first grandchild's college graduation and his grandson's High School section championship game at Dodgers Stadium all in the same day.  There is nowhere else he'd rather be than supporting his family with his wife.
 
Anything you can contribute is greatly appreciated and if you are unable to contribute financially please keep Rich and his family in your prayers.  They are a family of great faith and trust that God will do what is best for Rich.