A Devastating Diagnosis
Bernardo, a 27-year-old father of two from Câmara de Lobos, is facing the battle of his life. Six months ago, doctors diagnosed him with advanced testicular cancer that had already spread to his lymph nodes, spine, abdomen, and lungs. The journey to this diagnosis was fraught with delays, as he initially sought care through public healthcare services but experienced significant setbacks in receiving timely treatment.
At the beginning of the illness, during the diagnostic process, the public hospital caused significant delays. As my condition worsened day by day, to the point where I was taking an absurd amount of medication to relieve the pain without success, I was forced to take out loans to go to private healthcare, where I immediately spent a huge amount of money.
Bernardo
Mounting Medical Costs and Struggles
In his pursuit of urgent medical care, Bernardo turned to private healthcare services, quickly accumulating significant expenses for consultations, imaging tests, and surgery to remove the affected testicle. This was only the beginning. As his condition worsened, he required chemotherapy and pain relief medication, some of which were only partially covered by insurance, leaving him to bear the brunt of the costs.
Additionally, he struggled to obtain government assistance. Despite submitting the necessary paperwork, his requests for disability support were denied twice by social services. During this time, Bernardo was unable to work and provide for his family, leading to growing debts and financial strain on his household.
Therefore, I appeal to all kind-hearted people out there who can help me during the worst phase of my life. I will be eternally grateful to anyone who can assist. A big thank you to everyone who can help.
Bernardo
The Toll on Family Life
Bernardo is not only struggling with his health but also the pressure of supporting his young family. With two children, one still a baby, the household faces ongoing monthly expenses. His inability to work has created a financial crisis, leaving the family reliant on loans and unable to cover the basic costs of daily life.
Around 1 in 3 people with testicular cancer have some spread at the time they are diagnosed.
Testicular cancer most commonly spreads to the nearby lymph nodes and lungs, and less commonly to other parts of the body. In most cases, it’s still very treatable.
A Call for Compassion
In a heartfelt public appeal, Bernardo has reached out to his community for help, saying this was a step he never imagined taking. “I didn’t want to ask for help; I was ashamed and didn’t want to bother anyone,” he shared. “But now, I have no choice.”
He is currently completing chemotherapy and awaiting further tests to assess his progress. If all goes well, he is scheduled for additional surgery at the Porto Oncology Institute. However, the road to recovery is long, and the financial burden remains overwhelming.
Bernardo’s story is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by those battling severe illnesses, particularly when financial and systemic barriers compound their struggles. He is hoping that the kindness of others will help him and his family through this extremely difficult time.
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