Please support my fundraising efforts for the Melanoma Research Foundation!
Hi, my name is Rita Sullivan, and roughly three years ago, I was lucky enough to meet the LOVE of my life. You see, I have always been considered lucky, but never when it came to love. With a little encouragement from my sister, Tara Nechev, I figured I would give on-line dating one last shot.
When we met...our lives changed.
Pat and I have been inseparable for over two years now. Throughout our time together, I have been most impressed with his passion for dog training. After surviving a traumatic brain injury at the age of 21 (learning to walk, talk, and eat again), Pat jumped at the opportunity to go to school, in North Carolina, to become a Master Dog Trainer. Pat was able to learn all types of methods of working with dogs. Such as basic obedience, behavior modification, service dogs, decoy work, and detection. He continues his passion working for New England Dog Training Company.
To put it simply, Pat changed my outlook on love. We dance when nobody is watching, we laugh and enjoy each other's presence, and we take on life's adventures together. When you find the one you want to be with for the rest of your life, you can only imagine a beautiful life together.
However, on March 17th, 2023, our lives changed, again.
Pat had a large tumor forming under his armpit. My sister, Dr. Erin Barthel, encouraged us to head to Boston (Brigham & Women's Emergency Room) to have it checked out. After waiting countless hours, Pat received an ultrasound and a CT-Scan to check out the tumor. The doctors were concerned when the results came back. They found 5-6 enlarged lymph nodes in just that area. They confirmed that day that Pat had cancer. The biggest mystery was the type of cancer he had. Countless phone calls were made with doctors and insurance companies. Finding a hospital that we could trust to give Pat the best care and in network, was to say the least, difficult. We were determined to not give up.
Finally, we were able to get his biopsy with Beth Israel. Pat needed 6 biopsies taken from his mass, which at this point 6 cm in size. These biopsies confirmed that Pat has Melanoma. At this point, we were able to make an appointment at Dana Farber (the BEST Cancer Institute in Boston) for a second opinion.
Our biggest fear was confirmed! Pat's cancer had metastasized and he is now battling Stage IV Melanoma. His cancer is not only in his armpit, it is also in his neck, thigh, and small intestine. This was confirmed by a PET scan at Dana Farber. Our world has been turned upside down!!
For the last year, Pat received Immunotherapy at Dana Farber. We've traveled to and from Boston to complete his treatment. During this time, Pat experienced a lot of side effects from the immunotherapy. In August of 2023, he was hospitalized due to the rise of his liver numbers (with the fear that his liver would fail). In January of 2024, Pat was put on hydro-cortisol because his pituitary gland was damaged due to the immunotherapy, and could no longer send out messages to his body that he needed cortisol.
These side effects continue to effect Pat's life and as we continue immunotherapy, we recognize that more side effects may present themselves.
Currently, his scans continue to show NO SIGNS OF MELANOMA!!!!!!! We are forever grateful to our team at Dana Farber and for the research for the deadliest skin cancer known to date. Please donate so that more families can experience the same success.
Achievements
$250 Milestone
I've raised $250!
Personal Progress:
of Goal
$455
Raised
$500.00
Fundraising Honor Roll
Amy Carey
Anonymous
Go Joan
Julie Withers
Melissa Earls
Mom & Dad
Nick, Nikki, Wesson & Veda Wolak
Rita Sullivan
Samantha Barry-Menkhaus
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