Therea Durso graduated from west Islip High School in 2006. She loved bring in the music department, especially the marching band, also participating in high school softball and basketball. Theresa attended Dowling College after high school and has a very successful semester in 2006. At the very end of that semester, Theresa was diagnosed with a brain tumor; she has her first surgery Christmas Eve 2006. She proceeded to have one surgery a month for the next 3 months. Theresa had radiation in March of 2007, for the entire month of March. She has a 5th surgery in April of 2008. She has 3 forms of chemo during this time.
During this time period, if you did not know Theresa had all this done to her, you would not know anything was wrong. She remained spirited, bubbly and happy go lucky as ever, never once giving in to the idea that this tumor would win. Theresa remained symptom free for 3 year. Doing what she loved to do: go to school, work at the YMCA, work for the LI Ducks, and just being herself.
In December of 2009, symptoms began to take their toll on Theresa. She first lost the use of her right leg, then in January, the loss of her right arm. She was now in a wheelchair and could not go back to school for the spring 2010 semester. In February, symptoms worsened, a Theresa required a blood transfusion and a screen placed in her abdomen, to prevent blood clots. Theresa's immune system has been compromised. In the regular monthly meeting with her Oncologist (Dr. Rosenthal)at Columbia, he informed Theresa and her family that she can no longer be given chemo because her body can not take it.
Now Theresa's family is looking at other natural options, such as Burzynski clinic in Texas, but insurance doesn't always pay for the medical expenses associated with this type of cure. Right now, help is needed to try to pay for these types of medical and associated expenses. Any help afforded Theresa will be greatly appreciated by the family, Please see information below.
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