Hi, My name is Andrea and I'm trying to fundraise to help my father, Anthony Nasca, pay for his chemo and radiation treatment copays, gas for transportation to the hospital for treatments, and to help keep the household running. My father has been a fairly healthy man with the exception of COPD, of which he became dependent on oxygen during COVID. In the last week of February 2024, Dad developed a cough and pneumonia and had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment because he couldn't breathe. The doctors found a large tumor in his esophagus that sits on his epiglottis and larynx and had to do an emergency tracheostomy and feeding tube. Dad has never even had his tonsils removed so this was a huge shock to need such a large procedure. The oncologist team tried to set him up for radiation and chemo, but due to a back issue and new trach, he was not able to tolerate laying flat and being bolted to the radiation table. He was then admitted for 5 days of induction chemo of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5FU until they could figure out another plan. He tolerated the chemo but shortly after he developed aspiration pneumonia and required another admission. Since then he has completed a total of 3 rounds of the chemo regimen with thankfully minimal side effects and had a second admission for aspiration pneumonia. The oncologists are now planning on starting 35 radiation treatments and weekly chemo over the next 7 weeks. Due to his back condition, he will need to be put under anesthesia daily for treatment so he can be positioned properly for the radiation. The doctors are hopeful he will recover, but not sure if he will be able to have use of his epiglottis which is the muscle flap at the top of the trachea and esophagus, and keeps food from entering your lungs. If that happens he may need the tracheostomy and feeding tube for the rest of his life. Mom is doing the best she can to manage everything, but I know it is taking a toll on her mentally and physically. If you are able we would appreciate any donation to help with his care and to keep the household running. Thank you!
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