#tealfortori
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Dear Friends and Family,
It is with deepest sadness that we announce that our beloved Tori passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2018.
We are forever grateful for each and everyone of you for supporting and loving Tori through this journey.
Memorial arrangements can be found at the link below:
http://www.ecnurre.com/obituaries/Victoria-N-Fonticiella?obId=2975741#/obituaryInfo
Sincerest Thanks and Appreciation,
Tori's family
Initial Story:
Tori is a vibrant and caring 24 year old battling a rare type of cancer called Primary Pericardial Synovial Sarcoma. Less than 30 cases have been recorded in the English literature. Her treatment at Cincinnati Children’s has included surgeries to remove tumors from her heart, and aggressive forms of chemotherapy and radiation. Since May 2015 Tori has endured 4 tumors, 7 surgeries/procedures, 6 rounds of chemo, 2 rounds of radiation, countless PETs, MRIs, CTs, Echos, EKGs, blood draws, transfusions, medications, and stays in the hospital.
The most recent occurance was last month in May. She had routine scans, as she does every 3 months. This time they revealed a rather large tumor on her diaphragm below her heart. The hope was that it had not invaded her heart and surgery was quickly scheduled for May 30th. Her team of Cardiothoracic and General Surgeons at Cincinnati Children’s, that had performed her first heart surgery, operated again to remove the tumor. Once they were in, they immediately saw that the tumor had indeed attached to her heart. During a 5 hour surgery, they removed about half of her diaphragm and scraped/trimmed as much of the right side of her heart as they could in order to get clean margins. A gortex mesh was used to replace the portion of her diaphragm they had to remove. She spent the next 5 days in the hospital determined to get better in spite of the often excruciating pain.
The next few weeks were spent waiting. On June 21st we met with the oncology team to find out the next steps in treatment. The team explained that the pathology report from the surgery showed that they were unable to get clean margins. What this means is while they were able to get the entire visible tumor plus additional tissue beyond the tumor (margins around the tumor), the margins of heart tissue showed microscopic disease under the microscope. Unfortunately they were unable to take larger margins of heart tissue during surgery without causing heart damage, due to the heart muscle being thin in that area (the right ventricle). They also explained that they had met with the radiation oncology team at University of Cincinnati and there had been much discussion as to whether radiation was an option since she had already been radiated in that area of her chest previously. They explained that the risk for heart damage was certain. However, after being tested for any clinical (or research) trials they could find for this type of cancer (searching even the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland), they explained that she did not qualify for any experimental trials, and radiation would likely be the best option. Tori agreed to the plan and will now meet with the radiation oncology team to find out which type of radiation as well as the frequency and length of treatment.
As you can imagine this has been extremely difficult – devastating. She had just finished school for her BS in Geology. Many of you know that she was recently married to her best friend, Nelson, on May 7th. At a time when she should be celebrating a new life with the man she loves, graduation from college, and the prospect of a new career, she instead had to put life on hold to undergo another heart surgery, as well as radiation treatment. At this point Tori cannot work and must focus on treatment and healing.
Many people have asked what they can do for Tori. We are asking you to consider donating to the GoFundMe started by her family nearly 2 years ago. The goal then was to help her financially so that she could focus as much as possible on healing. The goal today is the same. Please help us to ease the financial burden so that she can once again direct her energy toward treatment and healing. Please also consider sharing this on social media or any other outlets. We are also asking for everyone to add her to any prayer lists.
As her family, we want to thank everyone for all their support and prayers. Through it all Tori has continued to shine with strength and laughter. She is an inspiration to us, giving continually of her love and laughter. Please help us to give to her as well.
In the words of Tori, “It’s a beautiful day to be alive!”
Please click on the "updates" tab for the most up to date information on Tori's journey.
#tealfortori
It is with deepest sadness that we announce that our beloved Tori passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2018.
We are forever grateful for each and everyone of you for supporting and loving Tori through this journey.
Memorial arrangements can be found at the link below:
http://www.ecnurre.com/obituaries/Victoria-N-Fonticiella?obId=2975741#/obituaryInfo
Sincerest Thanks and Appreciation,
Tori's family
Initial Story:
Tori is a vibrant and caring 24 year old battling a rare type of cancer called Primary Pericardial Synovial Sarcoma. Less than 30 cases have been recorded in the English literature. Her treatment at Cincinnati Children’s has included surgeries to remove tumors from her heart, and aggressive forms of chemotherapy and radiation. Since May 2015 Tori has endured 4 tumors, 7 surgeries/procedures, 6 rounds of chemo, 2 rounds of radiation, countless PETs, MRIs, CTs, Echos, EKGs, blood draws, transfusions, medications, and stays in the hospital.
The most recent occurance was last month in May. She had routine scans, as she does every 3 months. This time they revealed a rather large tumor on her diaphragm below her heart. The hope was that it had not invaded her heart and surgery was quickly scheduled for May 30th. Her team of Cardiothoracic and General Surgeons at Cincinnati Children’s, that had performed her first heart surgery, operated again to remove the tumor. Once they were in, they immediately saw that the tumor had indeed attached to her heart. During a 5 hour surgery, they removed about half of her diaphragm and scraped/trimmed as much of the right side of her heart as they could in order to get clean margins. A gortex mesh was used to replace the portion of her diaphragm they had to remove. She spent the next 5 days in the hospital determined to get better in spite of the often excruciating pain.
The next few weeks were spent waiting. On June 21st we met with the oncology team to find out the next steps in treatment. The team explained that the pathology report from the surgery showed that they were unable to get clean margins. What this means is while they were able to get the entire visible tumor plus additional tissue beyond the tumor (margins around the tumor), the margins of heart tissue showed microscopic disease under the microscope. Unfortunately they were unable to take larger margins of heart tissue during surgery without causing heart damage, due to the heart muscle being thin in that area (the right ventricle). They also explained that they had met with the radiation oncology team at University of Cincinnati and there had been much discussion as to whether radiation was an option since she had already been radiated in that area of her chest previously. They explained that the risk for heart damage was certain. However, after being tested for any clinical (or research) trials they could find for this type of cancer (searching even the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland), they explained that she did not qualify for any experimental trials, and radiation would likely be the best option. Tori agreed to the plan and will now meet with the radiation oncology team to find out which type of radiation as well as the frequency and length of treatment.
As you can imagine this has been extremely difficult – devastating. She had just finished school for her BS in Geology. Many of you know that she was recently married to her best friend, Nelson, on May 7th. At a time when she should be celebrating a new life with the man she loves, graduation from college, and the prospect of a new career, she instead had to put life on hold to undergo another heart surgery, as well as radiation treatment. At this point Tori cannot work and must focus on treatment and healing.
Many people have asked what they can do for Tori. We are asking you to consider donating to the GoFundMe started by her family nearly 2 years ago. The goal then was to help her financially so that she could focus as much as possible on healing. The goal today is the same. Please help us to ease the financial burden so that she can once again direct her energy toward treatment and healing. Please also consider sharing this on social media or any other outlets. We are also asking for everyone to add her to any prayer lists.
As her family, we want to thank everyone for all their support and prayers. Through it all Tori has continued to shine with strength and laughter. She is an inspiration to us, giving continually of her love and laughter. Please help us to give to her as well.
In the words of Tori, “It’s a beautiful day to be alive!”
Please click on the "updates" tab for the most up to date information on Tori's journey.
#tealfortori
Organizer and beneficiary
Melissa Mays Caldwell
Organizer
Batavia, OH
Victoria Thomas
Beneficiary
