Peter's Fight Against Cancer
Donation protected
Dear Potential Donor,
If I may ask for a moment of your time, I would like to share my story with you;
My name is Peter Carvalho, I am 27 years old, and I have an aggressive, cancerous brain tumor.
In the Summer of 2013, I had my first seizure while driving and was rushed to a nearby university hospital by emergency responders, whereupon doing an MRI, doctors found a tumor the size of my fist -- one I had been born with -- in the left frontal lobe of my brain.
It was operated on and removed, as an emergency.
The biopsy came back; and the doctor informed me that it was a hereditary tumor and a very aggressive one, with a very high chance of growing back cancerous.
This news did not register fully, as the surgery had affected me in many ways. I found that I was not myself and had lost part of what makes me, me. I could not work for a year; I felt useless. This tragic, life-changing event, sent me into a depression that still lingers today. Part of me was missing, and I felt as if no one understood.
I moved in the Winter of 2014 to be closer to my mother, and in the Winter of 2015 -- while working -- I had my second major seizure and was rushed to a hospital. Where, upon doing a CAT scan, the doctors found that the tumor had indeed grown back, and was doing so at an alarming rate. Not wanting to have another dangerous, invasive and expensive surgery, I continued to monitor it, as my will to live slowly diminished over time. I was diagnosed with epilepsy and deemed unfit to work. I am unqualified for any state or federal aid due to being a legal permanent resident, not residing in the state I am currently in for at least five years. The reality of it all has sent me into a spiral of debt and depression, making me feel more like a burden to my mother, who is struggling to support me, than a son.
I felt like less of a man, barely a person, I was completely hopeless, having lost my sense of self and will to live.
On May 4th, 2017 -- my birthday -- I finally had enough and attempted to commit suicide.
On the note I was to leave behind, I apologized to my mother and a message left to my friends stating I would no longer be a burden to them.
While I thankfully failed;
I had a mental breakdown that lasted many weeks and finally resolved to change my mindset, to turn my life around, to fight, to survive. I realized this is not what I want to be remembered for, as the son and friend that gave up, that took the easy way out, that failed them. I began to disciple myself for greatness, started reading books on happiness, self-disciple and healthy habits. I quit cigarettes and started exercising. I set up a daily routine and rituals for both morning and evening; I was finally feeling good about myself.
I made myself a 2-year plan to make it to Japan to teach English and start a YouTube channel to share my story and the lessons I learned along the way; my life mission, my purpose, and my ultimate goal, to make a difference.
That is, until my last MRI -- on August 8th, my mother's birthday -- showed the tumor had doubled in size in less than 10 months.
The doctors have concluded that it is indeed cancerous, and I have been given two years until it reaches maturity, and eventually, kills me.
My 2-year plan for Japan suddenly turned in a 2-year death sentence.
I was devastated and began to consider giving up on my dreams. My mission to teach in Japan includes getting a degree, which we cannot afford as is, but now has to include an expensive surgery and treatment that will not be fully covered by insurance. Something I must pay or risk being further in debt.
This cold reality leads me to why this cause is so important.
I had a Thermal Ablation; First of its kind in the State- On December 12th of 2017 The Story
The procedure was minimally invasive and I awoke feeling reborn. The tumor had caused personality changes that I only noticed after they were gone. Once the surgery heals, I will undergo six weeks of radiation followed by five doses of chemo over five weeks. The estimated payment of $89,000 (costs not covered by insurance) is due in late by July and an extension can be applied for December.
If there is one thing willpower and self-discipline alone can't solve, it is lack of immediate funds to do the bare minimum required to reach one's goals.
The goal of $50,000 will barely cover the medical expenses not covered by insurance, and the college fees (which total at roughly $10k).
This fundraiser is my last chance to do something with my life, to live, to become something greater than the sum of my parts. I wish to tell my story, to encourage and empower others that are in similar situations, through the power of YouTube. I want to teach, to learn, to live and to inspire.
Please help me achieve this simple dream by sharing this campaign, by telling your friends and communities about my story and by donating to my cause.
I would like to thank you for your time, from the bottom of my heart.
I appreciate everyone that has read this and shared it.
Thank You,
Peter H. Carvalho
Follow, Like and Share My Facebook Page For Daily Updates
U of M Article on My Surgery
!!!NOTE!!!
Rony Franca is my mother.
She is set up as the beneficiary because I have no bank account of my own
If I may ask for a moment of your time, I would like to share my story with you;
My name is Peter Carvalho, I am 27 years old, and I have an aggressive, cancerous brain tumor.
In the Summer of 2013, I had my first seizure while driving and was rushed to a nearby university hospital by emergency responders, whereupon doing an MRI, doctors found a tumor the size of my fist -- one I had been born with -- in the left frontal lobe of my brain.
It was operated on and removed, as an emergency.
The biopsy came back; and the doctor informed me that it was a hereditary tumor and a very aggressive one, with a very high chance of growing back cancerous.
This news did not register fully, as the surgery had affected me in many ways. I found that I was not myself and had lost part of what makes me, me. I could not work for a year; I felt useless. This tragic, life-changing event, sent me into a depression that still lingers today. Part of me was missing, and I felt as if no one understood.
I moved in the Winter of 2014 to be closer to my mother, and in the Winter of 2015 -- while working -- I had my second major seizure and was rushed to a hospital. Where, upon doing a CAT scan, the doctors found that the tumor had indeed grown back, and was doing so at an alarming rate. Not wanting to have another dangerous, invasive and expensive surgery, I continued to monitor it, as my will to live slowly diminished over time. I was diagnosed with epilepsy and deemed unfit to work. I am unqualified for any state or federal aid due to being a legal permanent resident, not residing in the state I am currently in for at least five years. The reality of it all has sent me into a spiral of debt and depression, making me feel more like a burden to my mother, who is struggling to support me, than a son.
I felt like less of a man, barely a person, I was completely hopeless, having lost my sense of self and will to live.
On May 4th, 2017 -- my birthday -- I finally had enough and attempted to commit suicide.
On the note I was to leave behind, I apologized to my mother and a message left to my friends stating I would no longer be a burden to them.
While I thankfully failed;
I had a mental breakdown that lasted many weeks and finally resolved to change my mindset, to turn my life around, to fight, to survive. I realized this is not what I want to be remembered for, as the son and friend that gave up, that took the easy way out, that failed them. I began to disciple myself for greatness, started reading books on happiness, self-disciple and healthy habits. I quit cigarettes and started exercising. I set up a daily routine and rituals for both morning and evening; I was finally feeling good about myself.
I made myself a 2-year plan to make it to Japan to teach English and start a YouTube channel to share my story and the lessons I learned along the way; my life mission, my purpose, and my ultimate goal, to make a difference.
That is, until my last MRI -- on August 8th, my mother's birthday -- showed the tumor had doubled in size in less than 10 months.
The doctors have concluded that it is indeed cancerous, and I have been given two years until it reaches maturity, and eventually, kills me.
My 2-year plan for Japan suddenly turned in a 2-year death sentence.
I was devastated and began to consider giving up on my dreams. My mission to teach in Japan includes getting a degree, which we cannot afford as is, but now has to include an expensive surgery and treatment that will not be fully covered by insurance. Something I must pay or risk being further in debt.
This cold reality leads me to why this cause is so important.
I had a Thermal Ablation; First of its kind in the State- On December 12th of 2017 The Story
The procedure was minimally invasive and I awoke feeling reborn. The tumor had caused personality changes that I only noticed after they were gone. Once the surgery heals, I will undergo six weeks of radiation followed by five doses of chemo over five weeks. The estimated payment of $89,000 (costs not covered by insurance) is due in late by July and an extension can be applied for December.
If there is one thing willpower and self-discipline alone can't solve, it is lack of immediate funds to do the bare minimum required to reach one's goals.
The goal of $50,000 will barely cover the medical expenses not covered by insurance, and the college fees (which total at roughly $10k).
This fundraiser is my last chance to do something with my life, to live, to become something greater than the sum of my parts. I wish to tell my story, to encourage and empower others that are in similar situations, through the power of YouTube. I want to teach, to learn, to live and to inspire.
Please help me achieve this simple dream by sharing this campaign, by telling your friends and communities about my story and by donating to my cause.
I would like to thank you for your time, from the bottom of my heart.
I appreciate everyone that has read this and shared it.
Thank You,
Peter H. Carvalho
Follow, Like and Share My Facebook Page For Daily Updates
U of M Article on My Surgery
!!!NOTE!!!
Rony Franca is my mother.
She is set up as the beneficiary because I have no bank account of my own
Organizer and beneficiary
Peter Carvalho
Organizer
Hibbing, MN
Rony Franca
Beneficiary
