Tony Ramos Brain Cancer Battle
Raised:
USD $1,430
Campaign funds will be received by Janice Ramos
Tony Ramos Brain Cancer Battle
Tony was at work out of state as a locomotive engineer and on October 27 he began feeling anxious, shortly after he began having a seizure. He was taken to the local, small er where they found a tumor. He was lifeflighted him to UW Madison where it was discovered he had a glioma. He just underwent a craniotomy November 21. He has SMA (right sided weakness)and speech issues. They had to remove a part of his brain and were only able to get 95% of the tumor out. We do not know yet what grade cancer it is or the treatment protocol for it as of yet. Right now it is looking like he will be put in a rehab facility to help regain speech and better movement of his right side.
He was the wage earner in our family and unfortunately we do not have much put aside nor do we have a lot tucked away for our retirement. He spent his first 7 years working for the US Air Force, he loves being a veteran. He then spent the next 20 years working for the railroad while supporting his family of three adult children, one grandchild who lives with us, and his wife of 30 years. One of our children is serving in the US Army and is unable to be home to help at this time. Our oldest son has mental and learning disabilities. Our other adult child is independent but resides a distance away but assists every-time she can.
Tony is upset that he cannot provide for his family. It is highly unlikely that he will be allowed to return to work. His wife will not be able to return to work until his cancer treatments and rehab are completed and his driving privileges reinstated.
Our current hospital care has us 2.5 hours from home His future care will involve daily trips to Mayo Rochester as well as a few still to UW Madison Fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, hotels and meals are going to be costly as well as his medical bills.
We now have major medical expenses that we are responsible for and these expenses are accruing daily. This is a major life changing event that we were not prepared for as it blindsided us. Tony thought his job insurance included short term and long term disability but sadly it did not This confusion was most likely caused from his brain tumor.
We are running on our faith and prayers God is good, He knows what tomorrow holds, He will provide, and He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Recent Donations
Get well, Brother!
Get well soon brother.
Get well soon, miss you at work.
Updates
Update #3
December 8th, 2024
This week was filled with appointments and next week is much the same. Tony began OT, his right arm, especially shoulder is very weak. He is not happy with this hunk of clay they gave him, but he is doing the exercises daily, 3 times a day, 2 sets at a time.
OT, PT, and Speech therapy copays are $25 each. Monday he will see neurosurgery again and that copay is $40. Tuesday he goes back to the dentist for 3 fillings, and has 2 OT appointments as well as 1 PT appointment next week. The following week our cancer speciality appointments begin in Rochester.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. Please share with your colleagues and friends. Tony really misses his coworkers at the railroad, he misses his job a lot.
Our son and his wife will be home soon for HBL so we are hoping those few weeks our appointments can be to a minimum to keep us from being able to spend time with them before they return to their posts.
Still waiting on results from the tumor, they sent it for molecular testing, they are suspicious that it is a higher grade than originally thought. I will probably begin working on rr disability forms, they will old us it take 444 days to be processed. In 5 months sickness runs out so….
Funds that we receive from your help will go right now to pay the medical bills that are coming in from Genesis Health, life flight, ambulance, UW Madison, Mayo La Crosse and Rochester. Sad thing is January 1 is right around the corner.
He received his final paycheck from the railroad, (pay was from 10/27) after 600 in deductions he was paid $58. So tomorrow when I file RRSI I will have to figure out where that goes on those forms.
Pray for our stress levels, my calendar is filled with black and lots of to do lists.
Update #2
December 3rd, 2024
Today was the first outpatient speech appointment and to say I am happily surprised is an understatement. In one week the difference is so amazing to see. Last week when we left the hospital Tony had a very difficult time looking at an illustration and telling you anything about the scene. Today he pointed out everything in the scene and used complete sentences. He can recognize objects and describe them, can read and write, the only two things are getting thoughts out to spoken word and recalling what was read while reading.
His therapist understood our concerns about cost and making sure his cancer treatment appointments are priority, so she gave work to be done at home with biweekly check ins. We could not have asked for better help and understanding.
Friday will be just first outpatient OT appointment and we are hoping they will be just as understanding with needing to do as much work at home to help us with our financial burdens. PT is one week from this Friday.
We have heard from Mayo, the referrals are there and in 3 days should be able to see the appointment requests begin. Please pray we can do radiation treatments locally but we do understand if we must travel daily to. Rochester for treatments.
Pathology is not ready yet, the Dr. phoned yesterday asking for permission to do molecular testing. Of course we said yes. She did say it is definitely a cancer of the brain but as far as stage and subtype we are waiting still.
Thank you to everyone for the prayers, meals, donations, we are very humbled by the amount of support we are getting. Right now money collected will be going to pay the medical bills that are coming in.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God Bless You!!!
First 48 at home
November 27th, 2024
Tony is recovering, it will be a long process, but daily he is improving. We cannot thank everyone enough for providing meals, donations, getting items we need, the visits, the modifications to our home, and most importantly the prayers.
Tony is resting right now and I try to take the opportunity to clean, deal with forms/work stuff for him, or play with the little one.
I have learned his verbal cues for when he gives the wrong answer but mostly when he is tired. He likes to forget about his right hand so today I have had to remind him gently to use it. At one point I held his left hand to prevent him from using it.
We did get a recliner yesterday on a very good clearance price and the man loves his chair. It really is more comfortable than the outdoor couch we use.
Please keep praying for patience, endurance, strength, good sleep (for me too please), and healthy stress relief.
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