Support Carlo Pellegrini & Cindy Mendoza

Since mid-March, Carlo has been dealing with significant fatigue, headaches, short-term memory lapses, and brain fog that he and Cindy assumed were the effects of long COVID from his second mild COVID case in late February.

On April 23, Carlo had an MRI brain scan ordered by his primary care physician as a precaution. Unfortunately the MRI showed a 6.5 cm (tennis ball sized) brain tumor in his left temporal lobe.

Subsequent CT scans indicated that the tumor was isolated to his brain. He was started on steroids to reduce brain swelling and an anti-seizure medication. The estimated survival without any treatment is 2-3 months, so Carlo decided to pursue surgery.

On Friday, May 3, Carlo is scheduled for craniotomy surgery with neuromonitoring at the Kaiser Permanente Neuroscience Center in Redwood City. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. He is expected to recover at the hospital for 1-3 days post-surgery before returning home.

Craniotomy means a piece of skull is removed to access the brain. Neuromonitoring reduces risk of damage to sensitive areas like the brain’s language center. In the case of a high grade glioma, surgery is not curative.

If pathology, which is examination of the tumor tissue, confirms the diagnosis of high grade glioma, chemotherapy and radiation may be recommended 2-3 weeks after surgery. Specific treatment options will depend on the pathology.

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We are devastated by this recent news. As a community in loving support for Carlo and Cindy, this CaringBridge will allow us to update you on developments.

Please know that this is an overwhelming time for them so they likely cannot respond to many texts and emails. But they will certainly read messages on CaringBridge when time and health permits.

Here are a few ways you can help and support Carlo and Cindy.

1. Leave a message on CaringBridge! Share a favorite memory, story, well-wishes, photos, or anything you think will help Carlo and Cindy feel your love for them.

2. Contribute to the GoFundMe, which will support extended time away from work and other expenses related to healthcare and recovery that are not covered by Kaiser health insurance. They live in a small SF apartment so in lieu of sending gifts or flowers, please consider donating.

3. "Follow" the CaringBridge so you can be notified of updates & continue to post well wishes & messages to uplift Carlo and Cindy.

4. Participate in our MealTrain to bring food to support them in the coming months (you know how much they love food!)