Welcome to our CaringBridge website for Davey. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your prayers, support and words of hope and encouragement.
How we got here:
At the beginning of February, Dave started experiencing issues with his speech. He describes these instances as spells where he was “unable to vocalize what he wanted to say”. Dave scheduled a visit with his primary doctor to discover what was going on. Dave’s primary doctor concluded this speech impediment was a result of Anxiety. He continued to live as normal but tried to manage the “anxiety” as best as possible. (Spoiler: it wasn’t anxiety). The CT requested by the doctor (just to be safe) was declined by Dave's insurance.
On 2/25, Dave suffered a set of seizures. The first seizure, Dave was asleep and unconscious. Dave’s girlfriend, Marissa Raimonde, saved his life. Marissa, a blessing to the family and to Dave, was there to call paramedics and perform 10 minutes of chest compressions until paramedics showed up. Dave hadn’t gained consciousness until the time the paramedics showed up. Immediately, Dave was rushed to the nearest hospital, Saint Joseph’s in Lincoln Park. There, he was given anti-seizure medication which he is still on. They held Dave in ICU for three days, knowing they do not have the medical equipment that Dave needs. From Saint Joseph, Dave was transported by ambulance to Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village. Dave’s 3D MRI showed a brain tumor on his left frontal lobe which had caused the seizures. Dave then had a brain biopsy of the tumor on 3/2.
Diagnosis:
The initial diagnosis was a Grade II astrocytoma, a Glioma tumor. Through further imaging, pathology and appointments with doctors the tumor was much bigger and aggressive than initially anticipated, more of a Grade III. The majority of the tumor was on the left side of his brain but it does cross through the corpus callosum infiltrating the right ride of his brain as well. The tumor is intertwined and up against primary motor and speech functions of the brain.
Where we are now:
By the grace of God, after 2.5 long months of appointments, waiting and efforts to switch Dave's insurance, we have made it to MD Anderson in Houston, TX - the #1 ranked hospital in the nation for cancer care. Dr. Fredrick Lang, the Chair of Neurosurgery at MD Anderson, successfully completed Dave's Awake Craniotomy on 5/10, resecting 90% of the tumor on the left side which was 8 cm deep. Looking ahead, on May 25th, we have our next appointment with the doctor to determine Dave's next steps of treatment.
Hi everyone! We have some really great news to share coming out of Dave’s 6-month MRI & follow-up appointment today. The appointment was nice and ‘boring’, just the way we like it. Scan showed that everything is stable, and Dave has been doing incredibly well!
As we come up on the 2-year anniversary of Dave’s diagnosis, we are so very blessed that he is continuing to conquer his battle with faith, humor, resilience & so much support. Thank you all for keeping Dave in your prayers and for sending all the good vibes our way. It means the world.
Looking ahead, Dave’s next routine scan will be in August. Until then, we’ll be saying lots of prayers, planning our beautiful wedding & enjoying each and every day to the fullest. God is good, and it’s a great day to be alive!
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