Howard's Cancer Battle Continues
Donation protected
Hello!
As most of you know we did a very successful gofund for Howard in 2015. That was to help get Howard and Ale moved to Boston where Howard could receive better care at a top rated hospital. You were all extremely generous and we raised enough funds to help Howard and Ale move to Boston where they have endured a year full of many ups and downs.
Unfortunately, Howard's battle with stage 4 colon cancer recently became more difficult when he was hospitalized and operated on for a tumor in his brain. As a result, Ale hasn't been able to work and has been been taking care of Howard around the clock. Howard is also in the midst of being medically retired from the Diplomatic Security Service. Howard and Ale are two great friends of ours that have been dealt a horrible hand but have persevered with incredibly positive attitudes and shown us all the true meaning of hope and love. Please join us by coming together again and donating to Howard and Ale. No amount is too small and all donations are greatly appreciated. Please see below note from Howard and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. -Rosa
A letter from Howard:
Hi all, first of all thank you so much for your support and assistance these last few years. Most recently I had to go to the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department (MGH ED) for a 'brain bleed' from my cancer. There was no warning and it came on like I was drunk, I totally lost balance. I just wanted to vomit and fall back asleep - that would have been a bad idea since it ended up being a brain bleed.
Fortunately Ale was on the case and as clear-headed as one can be at 4:30am. She managed to call 911 for an ambulance to the ED that's really 2 blocks away - thank God! Boston EMS came and didn't take any chances. When I got to the ED they observed me for more than 5 hours and after some tests and two CAT scans they rushed me to emergency surgery. I was completely useless.
Ale came in, they explained the case, and that they wanted to do surgery immediately. She wanted to talk to our Oncologist because this was never discussed as a possibility. They told her there was no time. During the 4 hour surgery they removed a tumor and the excess blood. I didn't remember anything for 3-4 days after that. When I did, and when they explained it to me I was kind of terrified. They removed a tumor and found another one which was left alone. Later I received radiation to treat the site of the tumors.
After a week in urgent care I was moved to a neurological floor for radiation for a week. I was then transferred to a full time physical therapy facility to regain functions that I lost due to the brain surgery.
So here I am the second time, hat in hand, which I thought would never come, but it's here. Fortunately, Ale has been making a lot of headway with my disability retirement.
Basically I thought maybe a little less money would come in and at the same time the bills would be lower. That's not remotely the case, we've been whacked with medical bills, cost of living bills, etc at a time when my income has dropped substantially! I'm sure it will all even out in the long run, but in the meantime we're barely treading water. I hate to ask my friends again but if you guys can spare anything as we make the transition from United States Government employee to unemployed cancer patient - it's much appreciated.
As always, thanks for thinking of us and we're in your debt just for you responding! Love,
Howie
As most of you know we did a very successful gofund for Howard in 2015. That was to help get Howard and Ale moved to Boston where Howard could receive better care at a top rated hospital. You were all extremely generous and we raised enough funds to help Howard and Ale move to Boston where they have endured a year full of many ups and downs.
Unfortunately, Howard's battle with stage 4 colon cancer recently became more difficult when he was hospitalized and operated on for a tumor in his brain. As a result, Ale hasn't been able to work and has been been taking care of Howard around the clock. Howard is also in the midst of being medically retired from the Diplomatic Security Service. Howard and Ale are two great friends of ours that have been dealt a horrible hand but have persevered with incredibly positive attitudes and shown us all the true meaning of hope and love. Please join us by coming together again and donating to Howard and Ale. No amount is too small and all donations are greatly appreciated. Please see below note from Howard and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. -Rosa
A letter from Howard:
Hi all, first of all thank you so much for your support and assistance these last few years. Most recently I had to go to the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department (MGH ED) for a 'brain bleed' from my cancer. There was no warning and it came on like I was drunk, I totally lost balance. I just wanted to vomit and fall back asleep - that would have been a bad idea since it ended up being a brain bleed.
Fortunately Ale was on the case and as clear-headed as one can be at 4:30am. She managed to call 911 for an ambulance to the ED that's really 2 blocks away - thank God! Boston EMS came and didn't take any chances. When I got to the ED they observed me for more than 5 hours and after some tests and two CAT scans they rushed me to emergency surgery. I was completely useless.
Ale came in, they explained the case, and that they wanted to do surgery immediately. She wanted to talk to our Oncologist because this was never discussed as a possibility. They told her there was no time. During the 4 hour surgery they removed a tumor and the excess blood. I didn't remember anything for 3-4 days after that. When I did, and when they explained it to me I was kind of terrified. They removed a tumor and found another one which was left alone. Later I received radiation to treat the site of the tumors.
After a week in urgent care I was moved to a neurological floor for radiation for a week. I was then transferred to a full time physical therapy facility to regain functions that I lost due to the brain surgery.
So here I am the second time, hat in hand, which I thought would never come, but it's here. Fortunately, Ale has been making a lot of headway with my disability retirement.
Basically I thought maybe a little less money would come in and at the same time the bills would be lower. That's not remotely the case, we've been whacked with medical bills, cost of living bills, etc at a time when my income has dropped substantially! I'm sure it will all even out in the long run, but in the meantime we're barely treading water. I hate to ask my friends again but if you guys can spare anything as we make the transition from United States Government employee to unemployed cancer patient - it's much appreciated.
As always, thanks for thinking of us and we're in your debt just for you responding! Love,
Howie
Organizer and beneficiary
Rosa Lea
Organizer
Melrose, MA
Alejandra DePietri
Beneficiary
