Sebastian's Cancer Treatment
Donation protected
I’ve always considered myself to be a healthy person, and every doctor I’ve ever seen has echoed my feelings: “Healthy as an ox” one says “healthy as a horse” says another, I’ve been compared to so many farm animals over the years that I’m surprised I haven’t sprouted hooves! Health-wise, I’ve been very fortunate in my life; however, when it comes to healthcare there is an unfortunate American reality that I’ve always been aware of, and, to the best of my abilities, I planned for it.
I just didn’t plan for this.
I turned 26 years old on August 30th, 2019. My health insurance, through my mother, was rescinded September 1st, 2019. I knew this would happen, and in the last year and a half I double checked every part of my health to make sure I was as healthy as I felt I was. And I was, fortunately, the spitting image of a horse… I mean, health.
In June, I moved away from Chicago. I spent the summer in New York state, and I was looking forward to making a permanent move when I received an offer from Indianapolis Opera. Ecstatic for a new adventure and a step forward in my career, I moved to Indiana for three months. I knew that I needed to secure healthcare soon, but I felt that, with all my moving, I wouldn’t qualify for any of the state marketplaces. Turns out, I was right.
Continuing the coverage from my mother’s plan was too expensive, private insurance was too expensive, and I was unqualified for the state marketplaces because where did I live, really? I couldn’t prove residency; I was in transition. But it was ok, I was healthy! I had time and could wait until I settled in somewhere after my contract.
It was around this time, in mid-October, that I felt my first symptoms of testicular cancer. Of course, it could’ve been any number of things, so I made a mental note of it. When the symptoms didn’t change after a month, I set up an appointment with my family doctor in Minnesota. It was probably nothing, but I should get it checked, to be sure.
On my first day back in Minnesota I saw a doctor who agreed something was off, but it probably wasn’t cancer. Still, he referred me to a radiologist who performed an ultrasound. Later that day, my doctor called me with news that the radiologist found a mass and urgently recommended I see a urologist as soon as possible. A few days later, the week of Thanksgiving, I visited a urologist, had blood tests taken, and was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I was told I must have a surgery immediately. One week later, I had the necessary surgery, and am currently recovering from that surgery.
Two weeks can really change things.
Pure Seminoma is the damn thing’s name, and, thankfully, we caught the sneaky bastard early. I’m currently in the process of scheduling a CT scan and then an appointment with an oncologist to see what my next steps are. Hopefully, this is the end of it, but there is a very small chance I’ll need chemotherapy.
Timing is a funny thing. All this is happening during the 3 month period of my life that I don’t have health insurance. But this is also happening during my longest visit home with family I’ve had in several years. I’m lucky to have gone through all this surrounded by their love. Seeing and feeling all of the support from loved ones has humbled me and made me incredibly thankful.
I’m fortunate in so many ways: this is the most treatable type of cancer, and we caught it early. I’m surrounded by love, family, and friends. However, in keeping track of the bills, I’m not too proud to say I need help.
I know it is the holidays, I know this economy is rough for working people everywhere, I know that fundraisers like these should never exist in a proper society. If you can spare anything, or share this story, I would be beyond grateful. This has been a stroke of very bad luck and terrible timing, but your support has made it easier than it has any right to be. Thank you for reading. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for giving. And thank you for filling my heart with so much love.
Below is a list of the appointments and procedures that add up to the current goal:
Doctor’s appt.
Radiologist appt.
Ultrasound
Urologist appt.
Blood tests
Surgeon Fees
Surgical Facilities
Anesthesiologist
Pathology
Follow-up appt
CT Scan
Oncologist appt
(Chemotherapy)
I just didn’t plan for this.
I turned 26 years old on August 30th, 2019. My health insurance, through my mother, was rescinded September 1st, 2019. I knew this would happen, and in the last year and a half I double checked every part of my health to make sure I was as healthy as I felt I was. And I was, fortunately, the spitting image of a horse… I mean, health.
In June, I moved away from Chicago. I spent the summer in New York state, and I was looking forward to making a permanent move when I received an offer from Indianapolis Opera. Ecstatic for a new adventure and a step forward in my career, I moved to Indiana for three months. I knew that I needed to secure healthcare soon, but I felt that, with all my moving, I wouldn’t qualify for any of the state marketplaces. Turns out, I was right.
Continuing the coverage from my mother’s plan was too expensive, private insurance was too expensive, and I was unqualified for the state marketplaces because where did I live, really? I couldn’t prove residency; I was in transition. But it was ok, I was healthy! I had time and could wait until I settled in somewhere after my contract.
It was around this time, in mid-October, that I felt my first symptoms of testicular cancer. Of course, it could’ve been any number of things, so I made a mental note of it. When the symptoms didn’t change after a month, I set up an appointment with my family doctor in Minnesota. It was probably nothing, but I should get it checked, to be sure.
On my first day back in Minnesota I saw a doctor who agreed something was off, but it probably wasn’t cancer. Still, he referred me to a radiologist who performed an ultrasound. Later that day, my doctor called me with news that the radiologist found a mass and urgently recommended I see a urologist as soon as possible. A few days later, the week of Thanksgiving, I visited a urologist, had blood tests taken, and was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I was told I must have a surgery immediately. One week later, I had the necessary surgery, and am currently recovering from that surgery.
Two weeks can really change things.
Pure Seminoma is the damn thing’s name, and, thankfully, we caught the sneaky bastard early. I’m currently in the process of scheduling a CT scan and then an appointment with an oncologist to see what my next steps are. Hopefully, this is the end of it, but there is a very small chance I’ll need chemotherapy.
Timing is a funny thing. All this is happening during the 3 month period of my life that I don’t have health insurance. But this is also happening during my longest visit home with family I’ve had in several years. I’m lucky to have gone through all this surrounded by their love. Seeing and feeling all of the support from loved ones has humbled me and made me incredibly thankful.
I’m fortunate in so many ways: this is the most treatable type of cancer, and we caught it early. I’m surrounded by love, family, and friends. However, in keeping track of the bills, I’m not too proud to say I need help.
I know it is the holidays, I know this economy is rough for working people everywhere, I know that fundraisers like these should never exist in a proper society. If you can spare anything, or share this story, I would be beyond grateful. This has been a stroke of very bad luck and terrible timing, but your support has made it easier than it has any right to be. Thank you for reading. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for giving. And thank you for filling my heart with so much love.
Below is a list of the appointments and procedures that add up to the current goal:
Doctor’s appt.
Radiologist appt.
Ultrasound
Urologist appt.
Blood tests
Surgeon Fees
Surgical Facilities
Anesthesiologist
Pathology
Follow-up appt
CT Scan
Oncologist appt
(Chemotherapy)
Organizer
Sebastian M. Armendariz
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN