Join Us in Making a Difference
in Tony Esteves' Battle Against Stage IV Glioblastoma
Join Us in Making a Difference
in Tony Esteves' Battle Against Stage IV Glioblastoma
The Journey of Tony & Robin Esteves
If you have ever met Tony Esteves and his sweet wife Robin, you know they are the most kind, thoughtful, generous people who are always willing to drop everything for everyone, and now is our time to give back! On August 18th, Tony started having symptoms of what he thought was a stroke. He was taken to University Hospital by ambulance, and the gamut of testing began. It was not a stroke, and his lab tests all came back perfect. After CT scans and MRIs, they found “spots” on Tony’s brain. On August 26th, Tony walked into the operating room to have a biopsy of one of the said spots. Unfortunately, while taking a biopsy of one lesion, another lesion in his brain began to bleed, causing a stroke. Tony woke up from that surgery with vision damage in his left eye and left-sided body paralysis. On September 6th, Tony was transferred to Touro Hospital for rehab to try to regain some use on the left side of his body. That day also turned out to be anyone’s biggest nightmare – the results of the biopsy were in. Tony was diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma. He stayed in rehab until September 20th when he was discharged so they could start the admission process to get him to MD Anderson. They will leave in a few weeks to go to Houston for further evaluation and to begin treatments at MD Anderson.
Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain cancer, or cancer that starts in the brain, with around 12,000 cases diagnosed in the United States each year. All glioblastomas are grade IV brain tumors, meaning they contain the most abnormal-looking cells and are the most aggressive.
Tony and Robin Esteves are going through an incredibly challenging time. With Tony's diagnosis of Stage IV Glioblastoma and the resulting complications, they are facing both emotional and financial burdens. As they prepare for treatment at MD Anderson and navigate the necessary adjustments at home, any support from friends and the community can make a significant difference.
UPDATE on 10/24/2024
This was not the update we had hoped to share. Last Wednesday, Tony's MRI at MD Anderson showed significant tumor growth since his initial diagnosis. The doctors determined that chemo and radiation would not slow the tumor's progression and would severely diminish his quality of life. He was discharged from MD Anderson on Saturday to receive hospice care at home. The prognosis from MD Anderson was a matter of weeks to a month or two.
As soon as Tony and Robin received this news, their family rushed to Houston to spend time with them. Despite his declining health, Tony made the most of his final days, exploring Houston, a Korean market and stopping by Buc-ee's on the way home. He was overjoyed to have their girls and his grandson Bennett by his side.
They returned home late Sunday night. Monday was a good day for Tony, but Monday night brought bouts of nausea and vomiting. Robin was able to get him comfortable Tuesday morning, and he peacefully passed away in his sleep at 3:30 pm that afternoon, surrounded by Robin, their children, family and friends.
Tony had been clear about his wishes, prioritizing Robin's well-being. We will honor those wishes by continuing the fundraising efforts until year-end. As per Tony's request, there will be a Celebration of Life, November 3rd at 2:00 pm at Buffalo's 3 Billiards 701 W Judge Perez Chalmette, rather than a traditional funeral service. The band Night Fall will play live at this event per Tony's wishes.
Please keep Robin, their children, and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers. We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support during this difficult time.
Join Team Up for Tony's Mission
Donations, thoughts, and prayers can help alleviate some of Tony & Robin's struggles during this difficult journey.
If you're considering contributing, even a small amount can help ease their burden.
If you would prefer to mail donations, please make checks payable to
Robin Esteves 202 Village Circle Suite 1, Slidell, LA 70458
* The links to the Team Up for Tony's Go Fund Me Account and Robin Esteves' Venmo Account are below.
Thank you in advance for your love, support and generosity.
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