A bit of background, for those who do not know me. My name is Steven Muchnick. I am 68 years old, born and raised in The Bronx, and have been a NY Yankee and NY Giants fan since I could talk. Just like most boomers, I love listening to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, and Elton John. I was an OB-GYN nurse for almost 10 years before transitioning to sales and Call Center Management, until I retired in 2021.
Two weeks ago, I received the news that no one wants to hear—I have been diagnosed with Stage III Epigastric Junction Adenocarcinoma. Now my life is about to change drastically. What used to be normal 3 months ago, eating, working, exercising, traveling, and laughing with my wife, has been replaced by fear, uncertainty, and incomprehensible financial challenges. My cancer has made it almost impossible to hold food down, and the journey to treatment and recovery will not be easy.
I have a few lymph nodes in my esophagus but the tumor has NOT spread (Metastasized) to any other organs, and we would like to keep it that way.
Early next week, I will begin FLOT chemotherapy. It will be 4 cycles, with each cycle being done every 2 weeks. I will need to be confined for 2-3 days for each of those cycles. Another CT scan will be done after 4 cycles to check my response to the treatment. If the tumor and other lymph nodes shrink, they will consider surgical removal. That’s as far as the doctor has discussed with us for now. Chemotherapy and probable surgery down the road are both physically and financially overwhelming. Unfortunately, the medical costs have already started piling up, and I am struggling to cover everything.
I’m humbly asking for your support, whether through a donation, sharing this campaign with others, or sending a message of encouragement. Every single gesture means the world to me.
I am not just fighting cancer—I am fighting to live a full life again; To spend more time with the people I love; To make memories; To give back someday when I am strong again.
I firmly believe what Elton John sings about in The Lion King, “You should never take more than you give.” I have given to others my whole life in the form of teaching, training, nurturing, and sharing my faith, and now I need help from you.
Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you for helping me find hope in the darkest of times.
With love and gratitude,
Steve Muchnick
