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Forums > Home› Starfleet Media Corps

Help needed - Podcaster's Medical Recovery Fund

midniteshadow7midniteshadow7 Member Posts: 787 Arc User
edited October 2015 in Starfleet Media Corps
Mav_STOkedRadio.png

Thomas Cruz who is best known in the STO community as Mav from STOked Radio has been reaching out to the community for help to keep a roof over his family's head and to assist in covering living expenses that would normally be covered by my work income that has fallen short due to multiple hospitalizations.

He has a family of 5 to support. His spouse is a disabled epileptic and they have 3 children. With multiple hospitalizations and stays in the hospital critical care unit it is unknown when he will be able to return to work, if he is able to return to work.

Tom, until earlier this year, was been a very active media coorespondant for Trekradio.net and an avid podcaster on the shows called STOked and STOked Radio.

Beginning this past February his health took a turn that no one saw coming. First he was diagnosed hypothyroid which was masking the discovery of impending kidney failure. Once discovered the condition worsened quickly. He has been hospitalized multiple times so far since mid June. The amount of work missed has been mounting and he no longer has any reserve as it has already been used up already after the initial hospitalization.

Mav is starting some treatments but all options are long term treatment options that are still being tested. It is unknown when the medical team will be able to come up with a solution to allow him to return to a somewhat normal life.

Tom needs help to take care of his family and be there for them and which he's struggling to do from a hospital bed.

Please, if you can, help him get through this rough time. You can help by donating to his Go Fund Me campaign here: https://www.gofundme.com/tomsrecovery. If you are unable to donate anything at this time, please share the link.

I thank you for your time and any assistance you are able to give a fellow member of the STO community and fellow podcaster.

LLAP, MidNite
Post edited by midniteshadow7 on

Comments

  • midniteshadow7midniteshadow7 Member Posts: 787 Arc User
    This is the most recent update from Tom:
    Emergency Medical Update :
    Do to unforeseen medical complications, today's medicine infusion failed. I had a severe allergic reaction to the new medication, and ended up having them call a code blue on me again. I am currently admitted for 24 hour observation. Once again the metrohealth team has pulled me through again. I will update again when I return home.
    LLAP

    Please help Mav if you can: https://www.gofundme.com/tomsrecovery
  • thetaninethetanine Member Posts: 1,367 Arc User
    edited October 2015
    Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I don't know all the facts.​​
    Post edited by thetanine on
    STAR TREK
    lD8xc9e.png
  • tacofangstacofangs Member Posts: 2,951 Cryptic Developer
    Get well soon, Mav!
    Only YOU can prevent forum fires!
    19843299196_235e44bcf6_o.jpg
  • midniteshadow7midniteshadow7 Member Posts: 787 Arc User
    Hi,

    Mav has given another update:
    Things have gone from bad to worse. I need help, they just turned off my electricity. Any help is appreciated. I dont know what else to start as ive used up all other resources. Please help.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    edited November 2015
    New Update from Mav,
    Nov week 1 update:

    First off many thanks to everyone who answered my call for help last week. Things are stable here for now. Thank you.

    On to the excitement of the week. Tonight I will be starting my second attempt treating my kidney disease with yet another new medication. This one I can take at home but there are concerns of new side effects and other issues but we are taking them as they may appear if they happen. I'm staying positive and hoping for no complications.
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    New update this week
    Nov. Week 2 update:

    Its slow going but no major relapses or issues this week. Its great not to be in serious pain and im grateful for each day of peace. New treatment started last week, no reactions or side effects yet. Its too soon to know if its working to fix me but its not hurting me so im hopeful.

    I have so much to be thankful for, my family, my parents, my friends, our trek community, my medical team, just to keep it short. Thank you all. The journey is not over yet, and any and all help is appreciated.

    LLAP
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    New update
    November week 4 update:

    First off I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you all had good eats and good times with the ones you love.

    I was fortunate this thanksgiving as I once again found myself back in the hospital ER with some kind of stomach viral infection. Thankfully I was out in time for the Thanksgiving meal with my family.

    Life is precious and short. Be thankful for your health, your family, and for the friends you meet along the way.

    A medical update will be posted next week.

    LLAP
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • mayito2009mayito2009 Member Posts: 643 Arc User
    Dear Lord of Mercy and Father of Comfort,

    You are the One I turn to for help in moments of weakness and times of need. I ask you to be with your servant in this illness. Psalm 107:20 says that you send out your Word and heal. So then, please send your healing Word to your servant. In the name of Jesus, drive out all infirmity and sickness from his body.

    Dear Lord, I ask you to turn this weakness into strength, suffering into compassion, sorrow into joy, and pain into comfort for others. May your servant trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness, even in the middle of this suffering.

    Let him be filled with patience and joy in your presence as he waits for your healing touch.

    Please restore your servant to full health, dear Father. Remove all fear and doubt from his heart by the power of your Holy Spirit, and may you, Lord, be glorified through his life.

    As you heal and renew your servant, Lord, may he bless and praise you.

    All of this I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
    Seek and ye shall find. Ask and ye shall receive. Rabboni
    Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" (Benjamin Franklin).

    Most unexpectedly, this turned into a flame-fest! Closed it goes!. /sigh What flamefestery is this? pwlaughingtrendy
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    New update
    December 2015 week 3 update:

    Last week was not without its surprise challenges. Just when you think all is going well something new comes along.

    Last weekend i noticed i was starting to have vision problems. Went in Monday to see my primary doc & to drop labs. Next morning i woke to multiple messages from the primary doc and specialists concerning sharp rise in my A1C and glucose tests.

    Apparently a known side effect of the kidney treatment med ciclosporine is an artificial inflation of blood glucose. Apparently i started to build up too much reserve glucose and became hyperglycemic & developed type 2 diabetes.

    My nephrologist and endocrinologist jumped on it quickly and are working to keep it under control. There is debate that the condition may be temporary and go away after i get off ciclosporine, or may be permanent.

    In a funnier side of this discovery, the member of my care team from the nutrition & diabetes control team helped me conquer one of my deepest fears. I have been given insulin pens for treatment to witch i have to give myself injections. I'm ok with letting doctors stick me but doing it myself was unthinkable. Thanks to them i conquered that fear. It was a hilariously frightening moment. Thankfully so far the treatments seem to be working and my visual acuity is returning.

    Have a happy and safe holiday however you spend it.

    Live long and prosper & May the force be with you.

    Tom.
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    edited January 2016
    Another Update:
    Happy new year everyone. From my family to yours, we wish you all a safe, healthy, and successful 2016. Thank you all for your continued help and support and hope all your 2016 wishes, dreams, and aspirations come true.

    Live long and prosper.

    Tom Cruz
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    Quick update,

    I plan on posting this weekend what's been going on. This next one will be a big one. Thanks again for all your support thus far. Please help out if you can.
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    February Update:

    Ok i will try to keep this one on track, here we go....

    Medical update:

    Just met with my nephrologist this week and the news was good. Good enough that he wants to run full battery of tests just to make sure its trending properly. The recent blood work from earlier this month indicates that im now recovering faster than expected. My GFR or glomerular filtration rate, the general percentage of kidney function had increased from what i knew in January at 32 % to 48%.

    That is an excellent recovery jump. Other labs confirm trends are pointing to positive recovery and trending as well. The doc does not want to make any mistakes or take any chances so hes asked me for a full workup of labs next week to confirm. Then hes planning to start taking me off certian meds and continue to monitor me over the next 3 months. Its not over yet but its a major step in the right direction.

    Disability appeal:

    This is moving slowly, but still proceeding. However im not really feeling optomistic about how its going to end up but its still early.

    General update:

    This is been a long emotionally draining process. Signs that it is it has affected my family are starting to show. I have had my good days and I have had my bad days mentally and in January I really started to break down when the healing process should very little to no change. Yesterday's news comes at a great time as my birthday is this weekend and I am excited to be able to enjoy it without being in the hospital. There were times that I didn't know if I would see my 39th or 40th birthday. That in and of itself has taken a toll on me.

    I am so grateful for all the friends and family that have kept up with my story and my condition and let their support whether it be emotionally or financially I am blessed to have so many people who care. I know that I still have a long road ahead of me before I can say that I am in remission and that I have fully recovered, & I am aware that there is a possibility that a relapse can occur and that this condition can come back or worsen as there is still no cure. But I can't focus on that right now, or on what the future may hold as far as my condition goes.

    My next step is to continue to focus on my recovery and the steps I need to take to continue to protect my family and provide the best future I can. I'm hoping to return to work soon, I keep applying for jobs but I've had very little success in getting responses. A lot of the complication right now is the number of doctors appointments that I must keep up in order to focus on my recovery. My next major step is to begin a regiment of physical rehabilitation to get my body back into shape.

    Again thank you everyone for you continued support and well wishes and I hope that my next update will be an even better one.
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    March Week 2 Update:

    Well, where do i start.... Kidney function is up to 52%. Last reading on Feb 10th was 48% so we are making more progress. My nephrologist is increasing my kidney treatment meds and was almost ready to discontinue some others but the numbers are not quite there yet. a retest is scheduled for Monday.

    On top of that, my old job called last Friday and offered me a new position. They understand my condition and the new position is far less risky to my body. I was greeted happily and with general concern from the management staff who surprised me when i was told by one of them that they were following my posts regarding my condition. I knew when I chose to work at Dave & Busters it felt like a family not just a team and i'm glad to be coming back.

    Its gonna take a lot more work to recover from all the loss of work and downtime since August of 2015, but with help and support from family, friends, and my coworkers i'm sure to recover and bounce back safely.

    Thanks again for all your help and support thus far, the light at the end of this tunnel is getting closer.
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    edited April 2016
    Emergency Update....
    Just as I think things are going to finally straighten out and get better, now that i have my job back, the setbacks start to come in. 
    He posted a photo of a doorknob disconnect notice

    I wont get paid till the 14th so any help with this crisis would be appreciated. I paid some of it with what i had but they of course want the balance within 24 hrs.

    Please help if you can.

    4,210 of 5k reached.​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    Updated 21 hours ago, 4/14/2016 - US Time
    April update:

    Well after returning to work for Dave & Busters at the end of March, things have not all been smooth sailing but its getting better now.

    First week back and i had a major relapse in kidney functions. I pushed myself a little too hard and the kidneys reminded me to take it a little slower. Kidney functions fell to around 35 % from 52%. I was in the hospital for a few days and released.

    Second and Third weeks back and I was still feeling effects of the relapse and had to miss a day each week. I started to get worried that maybe i was pushing myself too hard, but i have a family to take care of and disability is still fighting my attorneys so nothing is happening there. I felt ok for week 4 but ended up with strep throat so of course i had to miss another day.

    Throughout all of this I almost had my electric cut. Through the grace of you all here who donated and my parents contribution we managed to pay some to the electric company and granted me more time.

    My work hours are limited as im only working part time by design to assist in my recovery efforts. In no small part I want to express my thanks to the management and staff at Dave & Busters in Westlake, Ohio for being understanding and showing concern and compassion for my condition. I am truly grateful for them hiring me back and giving me the opportunity to work for such a great company again.

    I am always humbled to have and to know so many caring, compassionate, giving people in my life. My family and I thank you for all you have done. This recovery campaign will be ending soon as things begin to stabilize and I continue to recover and work more. I want to thank everyone who has donated and thank those who may donate in the future to help hit the goal.

    May peace, happiness and long life be granted to you all.

    Live Long and Prosper
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    edited April 2016
    Updated 11 PM EDT, 4/18/2016
    Mid April post:

    Ill keep this update short and to the point. A few weeks ago I was facing electric disconnection. Many of you helped me make a minimum payment arrangement and keep the electric on.

    I just received my bill today in the mail, and i was first confused at what I saw. One of you out there in trek land went all sneaky and made a direct contribution to the bill that has me very emotional. It has has cleared that concern of disconnection from my list, and I don't know what to say but Thank You to John P.

    As things begin to stabilize here, I'm hoping to get more work hours so I can take care of things myself. I will be closing my gofundme within the next month or so or when the current funding goal is hit.

    I don't know how to thank all of you for your help and support since August. It's crazy that I'm coming up on what I'm now calling my one year anniversary since all this started in june. Its been my own personal "Year of Hell" (you trekkies will get the Voyager reference).

    All joking aside, I'm hoping to hit the goal soon to cover the last back expenses and past due bills. Thank you all again and I hope you all continue to Live Long And Prosper

    Tom C.
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    Updated 5/9/2016
    May week 2 quick update:

    Lab results from week one are coming in and things are looking good so far. Kidney functions are up to 56%. Sodium & Potassium are on the low end good range but not below. Blood sugar is still elevated but not in the critical levels. First time i've seen bun and creatinine within range.

    I received a call from my nephrologists scheduling nurse, and they are requesting to see me next Tuesday which is moved up from next month's appointment, this could be good or bad depending on what he sees in the labs.

    Here's to hoping its good news.

    Live long and prosper,
    Tom Cruz
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
  • sunseahlsunseahl Member Posts: 827 Arc User
    Updated 5/27/2016
    Today i find myself at Metrohealth West Park Urgent Care. Having difficulty with breathing and chronic coughing with mild chest pain.

    Chest x-ray was done and now a breathing treatment. I hope its not something that serious.

    [Image of Mav in a respirator mask]
    ​​
    Member of the "Disenchanted"
    drowrulesupreme wrote: »
    We don't want what the Feds have. We want the equivalent. We want fairer treatment. Concern, desire, greed to some extent, and passionate belief that the enough people would buy KDF items to make it worth Cryptic's while.
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