Get Well Soon, Dearest Ka
Donation protected
My dearest family and friends,
On the morning of July 25th, I started experiencing muscle spasms and chest pains. When my partner, Cameron (or Cam), took me to the ER, they found a 6-inch tumor sitting between my left lung and heart, and also two smaller ones that have metastasized into the right lung. The diagnosis is a rare type of Primary Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumor in my chest.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve been checked in at UCSF Parnassus Medical Center getting treatment from an amazing and caring team of doctors and nurses. To help alleviate the pressure around my heart, I’ve also gone through a minor surgery installing pulmonary and mediastinal pipes that have drained over half a liter of liquids around my heart. They've already drained about a liter from around my lungs. Additionally, I’m doing physical therapy to help with my breathing and reduce the muscle spasms.
My first round of chemo started on July 31st. Eventually, I will need to do several more chemotherapy and radiation treatments to shrink the tumor before they can safely remove it surgically.
For the next three months, Cam and my family could really use your support to help with our costs. I’ve started this GoFundMe page to help with my out-of-pocket medical expenses, and our transportation costs between home and the hospital. This fund will also help offset our household costs, such as our monthly bills, rent, and food.
When I recover, I cannot wait to reunite with my friends and catch-up, get back with the San Francisco’s Gay Men’s Chorus - an exciting year ahead with a festival in the Midwest, get into the swing of things professionally with my team at Zendesk, and getting involved in the Tenderloin community helping seniors and distributing food to those in need.
Thank you so much for being there for me and my family during this difficult time. Any little bit helps as I embark on my road to being cured. I’m truly blessed and grateful for any care you have shown to Cam and my mom, and those close around me (who are often affected the hardest). I appreciate the love and concern -- and we love you <3
Love,
Ka
On the morning of July 25th, I started experiencing muscle spasms and chest pains. When my partner, Cameron (or Cam), took me to the ER, they found a 6-inch tumor sitting between my left lung and heart, and also two smaller ones that have metastasized into the right lung. The diagnosis is a rare type of Primary Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumor in my chest.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve been checked in at UCSF Parnassus Medical Center getting treatment from an amazing and caring team of doctors and nurses. To help alleviate the pressure around my heart, I’ve also gone through a minor surgery installing pulmonary and mediastinal pipes that have drained over half a liter of liquids around my heart. They've already drained about a liter from around my lungs. Additionally, I’m doing physical therapy to help with my breathing and reduce the muscle spasms.
My first round of chemo started on July 31st. Eventually, I will need to do several more chemotherapy and radiation treatments to shrink the tumor before they can safely remove it surgically.
For the next three months, Cam and my family could really use your support to help with our costs. I’ve started this GoFundMe page to help with my out-of-pocket medical expenses, and our transportation costs between home and the hospital. This fund will also help offset our household costs, such as our monthly bills, rent, and food.
When I recover, I cannot wait to reunite with my friends and catch-up, get back with the San Francisco’s Gay Men’s Chorus - an exciting year ahead with a festival in the Midwest, get into the swing of things professionally with my team at Zendesk, and getting involved in the Tenderloin community helping seniors and distributing food to those in need.
Thank you so much for being there for me and my family during this difficult time. Any little bit helps as I embark on my road to being cured. I’m truly blessed and grateful for any care you have shown to Cam and my mom, and those close around me (who are often affected the hardest). I appreciate the love and concern -- and we love you <3
Love,
Ka
Fundraising team: Team Ka (4)
Cameron Gerhold
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Antonio Guzman
Team member
Cameron Gerhold
Team member
Luke Salinas
Team member
