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I am an otherwise healthy, 29 year-old, never-smoker...and I have metastatic lung cancer. I'm not quite sure how or why I do, but, as you can imagine, the discovery came as much of a surprise to me as I'm sure it does to you (even more so for those who know me best).
Allow me to take you down a trip on Memory Lane:
It all started last year in 2019, when, on a bright sunny day in June, I suffered a seizure while walking back to my office at work. I was immediately rushed to a local ER, whereupon I suffered another seizure, which resulted in an extended hospital stay of about 3 days until my team of doctors could figure out what was going on. It was after several subsequent tests that they discovered the acorn-sized tumor in my brain that had metastasized from the primary tumor site in the upper lobe of my right lung.
The culprit had been identified. Diagnosis: Metastatic Lung Cancer.
Since then, I've undergone a craniotomy to remove that pesky little cranial protuberance that cut my work day in half, gamma knife radiation to the area of my brain previously occupied by same protuberance, several rounds of chemotherapy/immunotherapy, and radiation to my right upper lobe and a few swollen lymph nodes along my mediastinum. Because standard, conventional treatments, in my opinion, are simply not enough when it comes to doing battle with such a wily foe as cancer, I've also integrated into my treatment regimen several other adjunctive therapeutic modalities, which, current research shows, are incredibly promising when it comes to treating and preventing cancer. These modalities include, among other things, high-dose intravenous Vitamin C infusions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and utilization of off-patent medications (e.g. Metformin, Mebendazole, etc), which, though not specifically designed to treat cancer, have been shown, either by themselves or in combination, to have potent anti-cancer properties.
Unfortunately, given the glacial pace at which advances in medicine are embraced in today's day-and-age, my insurance refuses to cover some of these other unconventional modalities, leaving me to foot the bills. And these, I must emphasize, come with pretty expensive price tags. Though I'm extremely diligent when it comes to keeping a close eye on my budget (I'm by no means a spendthrift), my medical bills and all other associated expenses continue to exert a heavy toll on my bank account.
Which is why I'm asking for your help, fellow life-traveler. Understandably, things are tight for everyone right now, and I don't expect anything close to a miraculous cash bonanza that will deliver me permanently from my financial troubles. However, if you could find it in your heart to help me out in whichever way you can, I would be eternally grateful. Again, I don't know how or why someone like me - an otherwise healthy, vibrant, never-smoker - got lung cancer, but what I do know is that, with your help, I'll be able to beat this thing FOR GOOD.
With Love,
Thomas DePalo
PS. For those interested in reading the article I recently authored and had published in Care Oncology's latest newsletter, you can find the link here: https://careoncology.com/i-am-29-and-i-have-lung-cancer-no-i-do-not-smoke/ref/2/.
UPDATE as of DECEMBER 28th, 2020:
Thomas has been enrolled in a very promising clinical trial at Emory Winship Cancer Institute located on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta, GA. The clinical trial involves the administration of a pharmaceutical that has been specifically designed to target the predominant type of mutation his cancer exhibits. However, he will be required to fly up to Atlanta weekly for the next month for recurrent diagnostic tests, screenings, and blood work to ensure that the treatment regimen is working safely and effectively. After the initial month of treatment, Thomas will be required to fly back up to Atlanta every 30 days for immunotherapy infusions. While enthusiastic to begin treatment, traveling back and forth from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Atlanta, GA won't be cheap for him. If you can find it in your heart to lend any financial assistance to help cover some of Thomas' travel expenses, we would be forever grateful. Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.
Wishing you all the best this Holiday Season!
Allow me to take you down a trip on Memory Lane:
It all started last year in 2019, when, on a bright sunny day in June, I suffered a seizure while walking back to my office at work. I was immediately rushed to a local ER, whereupon I suffered another seizure, which resulted in an extended hospital stay of about 3 days until my team of doctors could figure out what was going on. It was after several subsequent tests that they discovered the acorn-sized tumor in my brain that had metastasized from the primary tumor site in the upper lobe of my right lung.
The culprit had been identified. Diagnosis: Metastatic Lung Cancer.
Since then, I've undergone a craniotomy to remove that pesky little cranial protuberance that cut my work day in half, gamma knife radiation to the area of my brain previously occupied by same protuberance, several rounds of chemotherapy/immunotherapy, and radiation to my right upper lobe and a few swollen lymph nodes along my mediastinum. Because standard, conventional treatments, in my opinion, are simply not enough when it comes to doing battle with such a wily foe as cancer, I've also integrated into my treatment regimen several other adjunctive therapeutic modalities, which, current research shows, are incredibly promising when it comes to treating and preventing cancer. These modalities include, among other things, high-dose intravenous Vitamin C infusions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and utilization of off-patent medications (e.g. Metformin, Mebendazole, etc), which, though not specifically designed to treat cancer, have been shown, either by themselves or in combination, to have potent anti-cancer properties.
Unfortunately, given the glacial pace at which advances in medicine are embraced in today's day-and-age, my insurance refuses to cover some of these other unconventional modalities, leaving me to foot the bills. And these, I must emphasize, come with pretty expensive price tags. Though I'm extremely diligent when it comes to keeping a close eye on my budget (I'm by no means a spendthrift), my medical bills and all other associated expenses continue to exert a heavy toll on my bank account.
Which is why I'm asking for your help, fellow life-traveler. Understandably, things are tight for everyone right now, and I don't expect anything close to a miraculous cash bonanza that will deliver me permanently from my financial troubles. However, if you could find it in your heart to help me out in whichever way you can, I would be eternally grateful. Again, I don't know how or why someone like me - an otherwise healthy, vibrant, never-smoker - got lung cancer, but what I do know is that, with your help, I'll be able to beat this thing FOR GOOD.
With Love,
Thomas DePalo
PS. For those interested in reading the article I recently authored and had published in Care Oncology's latest newsletter, you can find the link here: https://careoncology.com/i-am-29-and-i-have-lung-cancer-no-i-do-not-smoke/ref/2/.
UPDATE as of DECEMBER 28th, 2020:
Thomas has been enrolled in a very promising clinical trial at Emory Winship Cancer Institute located on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta, GA. The clinical trial involves the administration of a pharmaceutical that has been specifically designed to target the predominant type of mutation his cancer exhibits. However, he will be required to fly up to Atlanta weekly for the next month for recurrent diagnostic tests, screenings, and blood work to ensure that the treatment regimen is working safely and effectively. After the initial month of treatment, Thomas will be required to fly back up to Atlanta every 30 days for immunotherapy infusions. While enthusiastic to begin treatment, traveling back and forth from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Atlanta, GA won't be cheap for him. If you can find it in your heart to lend any financial assistance to help cover some of Thomas' travel expenses, we would be forever grateful. Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.
Wishing you all the best this Holiday Season!
Organizer and beneficiary
Thomas DePalo
Beneficiary