Help with Ramos Family’s Cancer Journey

July 2021, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, that summer installed a port in my chest and did 12 weeks of FOLFOX (Chemo cocktail), followed by a month of daily radiation to a wide area of my chest and esophagus (effectively melting the esophagus).

After resting a bit, December 2, 2021 had an esophagectomy. The thoracic surgeons whom performed these are a category of people I’ve never met before. People of extraordinary talent and intelligence. In the US, per year, less than 5,000 esophagectomies are performed.

It’s where they removed, in my case, 75% of my esophagus and 25% of my stomach, shaped the remaining stomach into a fat, hot dog like shape pulling everything through my neck to where my now stomach is in middle of my chest. I was in hospital for almost 4 weeks before they would let me go home, just in time for Christmas.

Unfortunately, five months later, cancer came back. That summer (2022) a different cocktail of chemo in conjunction with 26 more days of daily radiation, this time using photon radiation quite amazing technology only 90 of these machines exist in the US.

Sadly,February 2023 had a 2nd reoccurrence. Now not on a curative path would be on perpetual chemo (palliative) until the end, until treatments stops working and or the toxicity levels in my body becomes too much for it to bear.

Went back on FOLFOX, this time, every two weeks with new immunotherapies (Keytruda and Herceptin) targeting certain protons of my particular cancer. This treatment kept the cancer stable until December 2023 where it began to show signs of growth.

Continued with treatment where end of April had developed serious complications where eventually had to be hospitalized for almost 6 weeks. Combination of having almost 3 years of chemo, two rounds of radiation my body, my blood sensing the cancer started developing multiple clots. Had 5 procedures or surgeries since May (2024) adding stents and removing the blockages, but they keep coming back. I joke with the surgeon calling him my plumber .

In addition to worrying about having a sudden heart attack. These clots have caused other complications…

Being on blood thinners had to be hospitalized twice because of hematomas developing.

Lost much of my mobility I can only walk very short distances.

Speaking it’s now very difficult. I basically can talk louder than a whisper.

Fortunately, I develop several collateral blood vessels, but because the blood isn’t getting to my heart with air efficiently, my breathing is greatly impacted

Plural space outside of my lungs fill with liquid. To treat this, I have a PleurX catheter between my left ribs, every night it’s tapped draining the fluid from the pleural space.

I’m not looking for a pity party it’s easier sharing what’s going on instead of telling people individually all the time, it gets exhausting.

Reason for this post and this update is because last week (DEC 2024) received the news that I’ve exhausted all of my treatments options the cancer has grown now in several spots, my lungs, thyroid, liver, adrenal gland, pelvis area, and I’m sure a few other spots I’m forgetting.

Had the conversation with my oncologist where he said no one has an expiration date, no one knows when it’s their time to go but he did share; It’s very unlikely, I’ll die within three months but also very unlikely I’ll live past nine.

This said, I haven’t given up. I will be seeing other oncologists and cancer centers and may get on a trial so I haven’t stopped. I also have found some alternative treatments not quite sure if they’re scams or not, many of them cost 50K or more.

I don’t share this for sympathy. Nor to bring anyone down, I’ve had a magnificent and wonderful life. I have a beautiful family (both immediate and extended, not many can say this ). Heck, I’ve loved every job I’ve had, one of the biggest things I miss, is working.

I have so many things to be happy for. I’ve been given so much which I do not deserve. I still find joy every day. In my wife, I have been given a great treasure, she’s so strong and magnificent. I marvel when I see her.

The costs of cancer has been extraordinary. In addition, to the out-of-pocket costs of treatments, of me not working also the future cost of my family losing 20 to 30 years of my future income. Needless to say, the financial hit has been huge

So, biting my pride, I’ve created a GoFundMe account.

Whatever funds collected, will be used for future education costs for our children and after I have passed, especially over the next 3-5 years, help

with living expenses. My wife has a wonderful job but will need some financial help over the next 3 to 5 years, especially.