Robert Espejo - CNS lymphoma - Brain Cancer Fund

My name is Tamara Rasberry - Harris, and I want to tell you about my sister from another mister and her husband, Robert Espejo, Sr.

Robert and Paula Espejo met in 2018 and were married on September 14, 2019. The couple described themselves as soul mates despite the cliche in the expression.

In the first few months of 2020, Robert Espejo began experiencing a series of illnesses that began with repeated vomiting and the inability to eat. After going back and forth to the Kaiser Vallejo ER about three times and receiving quick fixes, his wife demanded he be admitted for further test. The hospital was initially resistant, but Lord knows there is no power greater than an individual intent on securing care for a spouse, parent or child.

The first few days in the hospital were mind-numbing. They could not figure out what was wrong with Robert. They eventually determined that he had H-Pylori, a bacterial infection in his stomach. He spent a few more days in the hospital and then went home.

About a month later, he began feeling ill again, and the vomiting started again, accompanied by a fever. He was diagnosed with walking pneumonia and admitted to the hospital. After a few days, he was released, and we assumed he would recover, and his illness would be behind us.

Soon after recovering from walking pneumonia, he woke up with red splotches all over his face. Upon returning to ER it was determined he had shingles.

Luckily, the shingles were considered mild, and he recovered after a couple of weeks. Soon after, Robert woke up to drooping on the left side of his face. Robert and Paula immediately went to the ER and were diagnosed with Bell's Palsy.

Finally, one morning in October of 2021, Robert woke up and could not walk correctly. He called the advice nurse and was advised to go to the ER. A CT scan determined a mass in his brain, and he was immediately admitted to the hospital.

Several days later, after a CT scan, an MRI, and a brain biopsy, Robert was diagnosed with CNS lymphoma (Central Nervous System Cancer). The MRI showed that he had a large mass (lesion/tumor) on the left side of his brain that was affecting his right side.

Unfortunately, the first phase of therapy caused a series of problems for Robert. Within the first 24 hours of his infusion, his pancreas was affected and bleeding internally. The MTR therapy was immediately discontinued, focusing on stopping the bleeding. He underwent an emergency embolization to stop the bleeding. Due to the condition of his pancreas, he has been prescribed a regiment of oral medication to battle the cancer.

Over the next few months, he encountered several issues, which included contracting MRSA and sores over the lower part of his legs.

Eventually, Robert went into remission from the oral medication, and the family looked forward to a healthier future.

Less than two months later, the cancer was back and incredibly aggressive. In the weeks leading up to the new diagnosis, Robert could not follow some conversations and repeated the exact words repeatedly, which were all a result of new tumors pressing on the brain. He is now battling four (4) tumors and undergoing the original MTR therapy for eight (8) cycles at Oakland Kaiser. Due to the most recent diagnosis, Robert has decided to retire early. He is currently on cycle five (5), and Robert and Paula have remained optimistic by relying on their faith

Luckily, his wife has a great job with great benefits, but the co-pays for medical and bills are well over a million dollars. Health insurance has covered the majority of the bill; however, every time Robert goes into the hospital, insurance requires a $500 payment for the first three days, after that, insurance covers the remainder. Over the last two years, Robert has been at the hospital over 28 times.

Anyone who has experienced catastrophic illness understands the complexities of the American health care system still allows those with great insurance to incur astonomical and unexpected costs.

Since Robert was forced into early retirement due to illness, he and Paula are carrying the cost of healthcare on a single income The Lord continues to provide so after month of going back and forth with Paula and Robert, they agreed to me opening this Go Fund Me account.

Many of you have asked me how you can help Robert and Paula so here is my response: please donate to their fund. We will keep it open for several weeks. I hope you find it in your hearts to share what you can. Honestly, every dollar means so much and will truly help.

As proud people, it is hard for Robert and Paula to reach out, but they are thankful and leave whatever happens to God's will.

Much Love,

Tamara Rasberry Harris