Keep hope alive as Robert battles cancer

WHY AM I RAISING FUNDS? 

I’m starting this campaign on behalf of my brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Barbara.  They are struggling with financial hardship while Robert battles cancer.  He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on December 29, 2018, and all of their hopes and dreams were shattered in that moment.  This nightmare began while we were visiting them in December.  Robert was rushed to the emergency room with severe lower abdominal pain and fever.  He was immediately admitted into the hospital with sepsis, and an abscess in his colon.  After testing and surgery, he was diagnosed with cancer.  They discharged him with an IV consisting of three different antibiotics, to be administered for two weeks, and told him to seek further medical care.  He went to Moffitt Cancer Center for a second opinion and they concurred with the diagnosis.  They created a treatment plan consisting of chemo, then chemo and radiation, and finally, surgery.   This illness caused him to lose his job in January.  He could not afford the COBRA insurance, which was offered for triple the cost of what he had been paying, so the chemo treatments were delayed until March of 2019.  That was when his family learned about what was going on and paid for the insurance. 

After his second chemo treatment, he contracted a life-threatening infection, and had to be hospitalized in the ICU unit for nine days.

Once again, he is currently in the ICU unit because he needed blood transfusions, platelets and another surgery.  It has been ten days so far.  We are all praying he gains his strength to resume the chemo treatments, and then return home. 

WHAT WILL THE FUNDS BE USED FOR?

Due to the loss of income, they have gone through their savings trying to keep up with monthly expenses.   All of this medical care has caused unforeseen expenses as a result of deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.  Robert has not worked since December, but does not qualify for unemployment because he cannot physically work.  He has applied for Social Security Disability and awaits a response.  Barbara receives income from her part-time job at Disney World, but they are reducing their staff’s hours.  She did apply for full-time work, but truth be told, she needs to take care of Robert and couldn’t work more hours.  Right now, their only other source of income is $353 in food stamps and Medicaid for health insurance.  The Medicaid will help to cover medical costs going forward.  

The goal is to raise enough money to pay off their outstanding mortgage of $26,000, plus the additional monthly Lot fee of $700, and the outstanding medical bills.  Their plan of working for ten years to pay off the mortgage will be impossible now without assistance.  This is an attempt to prevent that for as long as possible.

WHO ARE ROBERT AND BARBARA?

Right out of high school, Robert started his career in the United States Army.  While serving, he got married and had two sons.  After serving for nine years, he got divorced.  He then left the Army with an honorable discharge and lived closer to his two sons.  Then he started working in the field of construction.  He was working in Lower Manhattan on 9/11.  He walked across the Brooklyn Bridge with thousands of others that day to get home.  After that there was no work for a while, so he learned how to drive a tractor trailer and picked up side jobs to support his family.  He had a wife and two more children.  His wife, Barbara, was a working mom.  She was employed by a payroll company, then as a home health aide, and then a school bus driver.  She also took care of her two stepsons when they visited. 

Robert and Barbara were raised in a generation that believes you work hard for the things you want, and that’s what they’ve always done.  Together they have overcome their challenges with that mindset, and were looking forward to enjoying their rewards.  When my brother was 54, married for 25 years and had grown children, they set off to begin their dream of living near Disney World – their favorite place – and having an easier life.   In October of 2017, they sold their home on Long Island and purchased a modular home in Florida.  The plan was for them to work ten years and pay off their new home, and then retire.  At that time, it seemed very realistic, but now it’s unimaginable.  Their daily lives consist of doctor’s visits, paying bills, and fear of losing everything.  Robert spends each and every day of his life in constant pain, sometimes to the point of tears.  He goes from bed to couch to bed with no quality of life.  He has lost 70 pounds and can barely walk. 



WHY I FEEL THE NEED TO REACH OUT FOR HELP? 

Our family has always been independent family taking pride in caring for ourselves, so the decision to reach out for help comes from desperation and very heavy hearts.  While Robert is fighting for his life, Barbara is standing by his side fighting too, but they are frightened of losing everything due to Robert’s uncertain ability to return to work.  They need to have a new plan for their future and are hoping to live in their home as for long as possible, but especially while Robert continues treatments.  Their families have been assisting them in whatever ways they can, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.  All of our resources are being drained as well.  Of course, we will be there to help them through whatever comes next, and continue to hope and pray for Robert’s healing, but the time has come to seek alternative help.  Please include them in your prayers. No voice goes unheard!

Feel free to share this, if you are comfortable doing so. 

We thank you for your generosity and want to convey our deepest gratitude.

No amount will be insignificant; $1, $5, $10!  It will all help to reach the goal.   

Thank you, thank you, thank you, and I’ll keep you informed.