Sorry for the lack of updates in a while, I have a good reason! For the past month, my start-up Porch has been gearing up for our big launch which is happening today. It’s been over a year in the works and I’m incredibly excited to introduce the product to the public today. Porch is a home improvement network that lets you see the projects that have happened in your neighborhood including photos, cost information and more. Check it out, it’s pretty cool. The experience is unlike anything else online today.
We all got to the office today at 5am in preparation for the big launch. Lots of Porch t-shirts being worn. Leave me a comment if you want one.
Building a company isn’t easy, and it sure doesn’t get easier with brain cancer and a newborn. The past month has really been fantastic though for many reasons and I have lots of stuff to share.
Kelsey will be doing another blog post. I loved reading everything from her point of view and I know others did too. So the post is coming, stay tuned.
The other big news is that I started treatment yesterday. After all my friends pulled together an amazing donation effort, it was an easy decision to move forward with my treatment. We’ll be paying out of all of our pockets since my jackass insurance company Lifewise won’t foot the bill. And there’s a few surprises for them coming that I can’t write about yet.
The giveforward fund was really fun to watch. I checked it every day and it was so cool to see when it would spread to different networks of mine and Kels. We have been pretty lucky to have had different experiences around the world… Buenos Aires, India, the Bay Area, Seattle, Sydney, Brazil, Google, Expedia, Stanford, JBHS. It was absolutely a turning point in my state of mind. All of you are now part of the cure for cancer.
I’ll talk more about the specific treatment after my first week but here’s some quick info. It’s radiation, not chemo. I don’t feel a thing. If you’ve seen the Man in the Iron Mask, that’s a little what it’s like.
It’s hard to believe everything happens for a reason when you have a terminal disease, but it’s hard not to also.
Freshman year at Stanford I’m matched with my future best friend, who happens to live in Seattle, which in 10 years will become a center for brain cancer research and cutting edge technology.
March, 2013. A month before the big C gets dropped on me, Seattle opens a Proton Therapy Center. It’s only the 12th one in the US.
1983, my family moves to the US from Cuba. Does the tumor get caught in Cuba? I don’t know. But I bet the guy doing surgery there isn’t as good as my guy.
Last year, we move from the east side to the west side of Seattle and change doctors to UW. Scheduling an MRI for a guy that can pass physicals no problem isn’t a given.
2004, Kelsey and I get married. Yes, we’ve almost been married 10 years! Every day she gives me reasons to live unlike what any other person would be able to. And our two children are the sweetest kids in the world and that’s all her.
Months before my diagnosis, my wife and I write a will and I get life insurance. I qualify at the elite level, which is basically the highest health segment. If I don’t make it, it’s likely the medical bills will be high but knowing my family is covered is a weight off my shoulders.
I don’t think I cursed once in this post, things must be looking up!
As always, thanks for following.
Julie Yip-Williams said:
A wonderful post! I love it!
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Dana Magalska said:
You didn’t curse in the post so I’ll do it for you – Ronnie, you fucking rock, and so does your family! 🙂
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Ronnie Castro said:
And it was so PG for a while 🙂
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Thomas Summerfield said:
Congrats Mate, I’m back at the end of next month so prepare for the sushi! Also share me a shirt for when I get there.
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Ronnie Castro said:
Sushi Maru is calling my name!
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Darre Hojjati said:
It’s great news to hear that you are feeling a lot better Ronnie. Remember if there is a will, there is a way. I wish you the best of health from here forward. I also wish your start-up much success. Hopefully one day I will have the opportunity to purchase shares from Porch’s IPO…Wishful thinking. lol. Any who, take care Ronnie. I hope to read more positive news from your future updates.
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Kyle Munson said:
Wonderful news, Ronnie. Very excited to check out Porch! Good luck with the proton therapy, we are all pulling for you and won’t ever stop.
(If you have an extra Porch t-shirt I would happily rock it around town.)
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Ronnie Castro said:
For sure on the shirts! I think I missed your message about boating but let’s do something with the families soon!
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TLee said:
Reading and rooting for you, Ronnie. You and your beautiful family are in my thoughts daily. (Would be honored to rock a Porch T-shirt if you have an extra!) xoxo
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Ronnie Castro said:
Tlee! Thanks 🙂
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Lindsay Barr said:
Awesome post Ron! Things are looking up! And yes — things do happen for a reason. Love you guys!
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Paul P. said:
You’re a f**king rock star! Congrats on the big launch and keep on kicking the Big C’s ass!
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Matt Bowers said:
An inspiring post, Ronnie, but I’m disappointed by the lack of profanity; you do it so well! 😉 We’ll try to make it back up to Seattle sometime soon, and congrats on Porch.
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Ronnie Castro said:
hey, at least your kids can read this one!
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Stephanie Trimble said:
Congrats Ronnie on the launch and and your strength to continue to fight back against cancer. My sister Stacey keeps me up to date on you and your family and I knkw how proud she is to be a part of this company!
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Ronnie Castro said:
Thanks Stephanie! Big day for Porch today. Almost as big as the Seahawks win this last Sunday 🙂
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Tracy Hess said:
Thanks to you and Kelsey for sharing your journey- ups, downs and in betweens. Even though I didn’t get to spend much time with you and the time I hung out with Kelsey in the Bay Area was limited, I have always really liked you both (Maybe sharing a birthday with her is what makes me feel like we are especially similar). So thanks to Facebook, I have been happy for you both when you got married, excited for you both when you had your first and second beautiful baby, and now inspired by your incredible strength to fight brain cancer (with or without profanity). I will continue to follow your posts and for what it is worth keep you in my thoughts. If anybody can beat this and live to be older than 100, it is you, especially with Kelsey by your side!
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Leslie Sim said:
Hi Ronnie.. I’m Lindsay Hyatt Barr’s neighbor.
She posted your latest update on facebook.
I have wriiten before & made every effort to
constantly send you healing atoms into the universe
& have asked my angels to look out for you
As well.. This C thing takes a village that’s for
Sure!! So far for me I have survived & am Sooo
Happy to be here!! My stage 4 uterine cancer
was diagnosed & treated ( surgery, radiation &chemo)
In Nov. 2010..it jumped my uterous & spread around
Including to my pelvic bone where it was growing
Into the bone.. It was gone for about 14 mo after
Treatment then had the NERVE to return
Last Oct. !! I Am 7 1/2 mo out of chemo & my hair
Is about 3 inches long !! Finally!! Am feeling great
Working..& Working out a lot & have lots of energy..
Definately planning on it NOT coming back
But my great Drs say I gave the kind that can
Move around… In my unscientific research it
Does seem that the longer we live after diagnosis
The better our odds are.. Many C patients
Get a diagnosis & are gone in a couple of months!!
So great news for US.. WE are still here!!
Yay!! Now I focus on today & the “moment ” .. You have a great support
Group.. Friends Family co workers.. Which I have too..
Think it makes a huge difference to be around Happy, Fun
Interesting people .. & let the cranky ones slip out
Of your life.. I am so happy to hear your latest update..
I do believe that their are miracles… & that a positve outlook helps! My chemo Dr. Told
Me after my 1st scan in 2011showed cancer gone that he & my Radiation Dr
Thought I was a miracle! I told him I thought they were because they figured out what to do!!
New research & treatments come out every day.. Another thing to be greatful for..
We got cancer now.. Not 5 yrs ago!! All the best to you .. & your new launch!! I am a RE agent
In Roseville, CA.. For Lyon RE.. If you have anything to send me that i could
Present at our office meeting about your company let me know.. My husband is
A general contractor in the Truckee area.. But
We know a lot of trades people here in Placer Sac counties
Too!! Keep on Keepin’ on Ronnie!! It’s all a journey!!
Love, Leslie
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Juney Ham said:
Hey Ronnie,
I’m constantly inspired and humbled by what you’re going through, and how you and your family and facing it in a positive and optimistic way.
Love and prayers.
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Michelle DeVan-Biag said:
Hi Ronnie,
We don’t know each other, but that is insignificant… This is not totally random since I am acquainted with your brother and his family and your folks through my son. I just wanted to let you know that I read your blogs with fervent interest… I pray for you often. I know The One True God knows you infinitely. I do not pretend to have an inkling what it is to live in your shoes… I am not impressive and I do not know much about anything too lofty in this world… Nevertheless, I do KNOW that GOD does know every fiber of your being. I am grateful that you are receiving the treatment you need. I am grateful that your wife and children are a blessing to you. I am grateful that your business is a rewarding grace to you and to others. HE has made and continues to make quite a remarkable impression of Himself through you to all of us out here on the sidelines who are cheering for you to live life and who are praying for you to live LIFE..
“Grace is the voice that calls us to great tasks and then gives us the power to pull it off” M.L.
By the grace of Jesus Christ,
for the glory of Jesus Christ…
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin,
2 Cor. 5;21 “For our sake he made HIM to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Thank you for sharing your blog posts…
Prayerfully,
Michelle
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Susan Bowers said:
Wonderful news all around Ronnie! We continue to pray for you and Kelsey. We pray for complete healing! Bless those little beams of radiation, may they do their work well.
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Jackie Vasen Riddick said:
Hi Ronnie,
I’m Dave Vasen’s sister and our family friend Danny Schauffer works at Porch so we have a few connections. Dave brought your blog to my attention and I have been following and thinking of you and your family often. Thanks for sharing your experience so candidly.
In June of this year, when our daughter was 11 months old, I discovered that I have breast cancer. Had surgery in July, started chemo in August, and radiation will likely start in January. As with you, it’s not what we expected to be dealing with at this stage of our lives. We also have 2 young children and are both working full time jobs (well, right now my full time job is to get healthy).
Just wanted you to know that there are people who you’ve never even met who are supporting you and can relate as well! My husband and I got a collection of “Fuck Cancer” hats to wear the day of my surgery. We have extras if you and Kelsey want them…
All the best to you,
Jackie
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Ronnie Castro said:
Hi Jackie, it’s always surprising to me how supportive some people can be that have never met me. Especially those going through enough serious shit of their own. The “Fuck Cancer” hats sound awesome, we almost made tshirts. If you have a few extra, and don’t mind mailing them, here is our work address: 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102.
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Katherine said:
Rejoicing with you at all the good things happening for you and your family! God does orchestrate things in mysterious ways. He has already planned everything that will happen for the rest of our lives. I think that is one thing that gives me such great comfort.
I checked out your website and it is awesome! Totally helpful for people that need work done on their homes.
I leave you with a Bible verse that has also given me much comfort during hard times:
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
I give praise to God for the way He is holding you up during this season. Praying for the treatment to totally eradicate any malignant cells and for complete healing.
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