BY JOHN SNYDER
OF PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD, N.J.—Wishes of buona fortuna, buona salute, and heartfelt love are pouring in for Pompilio John Sambogna, owner of Pompilio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, who was diagnosed with an ocular melanoma—a cancerous tumor— behind the left eye.
Brittany Sambogna said her parents were told they face $25,000 in out-of-pocket medical costs as he undergoes treatment, which even if successful brings the risk of some vision loss.
Surgery is scheduled for April 17 but the specialist treating Sambogna doesn’t take insurance.
On a GoFundMe page, which has a goal of $15,000, Brittany explained that her dad contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome after his most recent spinal decompression surgery and that “our family needs your love, hope, and support more than ever.”
A short time later she posted an update that beamed with gratitude for “an incredible and immediate outpouring of support.”
“Our phones have been ringing, our door has been visited, and the support has been rising as well as our shock and awe. Our world has been full of many evils lately, but you all have shown us that good still absolutely exists,” she said.
Brittany describes her dad as a man of many titles: small business owner; husband to his loving wife; father to his three daughters; grandfather, a.k.a. Pop, to three granddaughters; and friend to all.
This past year Sambogna also underwent carpal tunnel surgery, had two pins put into his left ankle, and had rotator cuff surgery.
In Guillain-Barre syndrome, the immune system—which usually attacks only invading organisms—begins attacking the nerves. In AIDP, the most common form of Guillain-Barre syndrome in the United States, the nerves’ protective covering (myelin sheath) is damaged.
After symptoms affected his vision—he suffered from shadows or “floaters” and streaks of light—he sought a diagnosis.
First he was told he had cataracts. Then he was “flip-flopped from one doctor to the next, being poked and prodded,” Brittany explained.
Finally, she said, he was referred to the best eye specialist in New York City, who identified Guillain-Barre.
The tumor was a heartbreaking shock to the family, but, Brittany added, “Thankfully this specific tumor is treatable via a radiation patch that gets placed behind the eye for a week, then removed, followed by medications to stop the tumor from leaking fluid into the eye.
“As with any procedure, there are possible side effects such as radiation splash and sight loss, but we are hopeful with this incredible doctor’s success rate of 99.99 percent,” she added.
Brittany confirmed that a PET scan showed the cancer had neither come from nor spread anywhere else in his body.
“We got this! My dad, our rock, has GOT THIS!” Brittany said.
Sambogna is known in Westwood and the wider Pascack Valley for his warm welcoming smile and love of conversation.
On the fundraising page, Brittany also says he’s known for his cheerful fist bump and easy laughter.
“Always putting everyone’s health and happiness before his own, he would give the shirt off his back—or the very last meatball on his plate (much more important than the shirt to an Italian man)—to anyone who needs it,” she said.
She added initially, “Unfortunately, he may have given too much of himself and was left vulnerable. Our entire family came together to get him through all of this with all of the love and support we could muster, hoping that the new year would start us off on a healthier, less worrisome path.”
Brittany wrote, “I am creating this page to ask for anything from a dime you found on the sidewalk to the most gracious of donations to help keep my family whole.”
And indeed, wishes of love, and gifts of support, are piling up.
Karla Traficante wrote, “PJ, my thoughts are with you and hope that you get well soon. It sounds like you are in great hands. Lots of prayers coming your way.”
Colleen and Jim Benedetto wrote, “God bless you P.J. Get well soon. Col and Jimmy.”
Nancy Frankel wrote, “We all need to show up for each other. Paying it forward.”
One woman, Jeanne, wrote, “John, you were so good with my boys coaching them, hiring them to make deliveries, and extremely generous when Denis passed away. You are a very special man and will be in my prayers daily.”
Audrey Jeffas added, “John’s kindness stands out in my mind from a time I entered his business looking for donations for a church fundraiser. He gave to Trinity Reformed Church in Old Tappan with a joyful spirit. My husband and I would like to return the favor and join the efforts to support him in this time of need. Prayers for a quick and full recovery.”
For more information and to donate, visit http://bit.ly/2GblZQS.