There have been several people that continually tell us to set up a GoFund me account. Marc and I have never wanted to because we are to proud to ask for help from anyone. However, Marc has been through so much and I would love to be able to give him the the ability to be more independant and have alittle more freedom in getting out on his own. So, here is our story.
Marc and I dated back in high school (1989-1991). We were young and ended up going our separate ways. Twenty-five years later (2010) we found each other again, soulmates. We moved in together in 2011 and two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Marc supported me fully and also took care of my two young children and continues to as though they were his own. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing he was during my chemo/radiation and overall illness and still is.
A few months after my last radiation apointment, Marc started complaining of burning and numbness in his legs. He had lower back surgery in October of 2012 and came out of that surgery feeling better but a week and a half later, he started having pain that was worse than before the first surgery. He ended up having emergency surgery on his lower back in November 2012. Marc had numbness in his legs and had trouble walking and standing. After weeks in the rehab hospital, Marc was able to come home and could walk but only with the use of a walker. On Christmas morning, 2012, Marc woke up complaining that his right arm was completely paralyzed. After hours of massaging his arm, he finally regained movement. The following week we had an MRI done of his upper back (neck) and found that he had severe spinal stenosis (narrowing) of his spinal column causing the nerves to be pinched. Marc had surgery and came out paralyzed from the waist down. He spent 2 months in the rehab hospital and then another 4 months, 3 times per week, in outpatient rehab at Spaulding Rehab in Boston, quite the roadtrip from Jaffrey, NH. During that surgery, Marc also sustained a paralyzed vocal cord due to the entry through the front of his neck to complete the surgery. A few months later Marc underwent another surgery to implant a bladder stimulator to help him with his bathroom needs and had to have an injection in his vocal cord, so he would be able to speak.
Since the 2nd surgery, Marc has had to deal with constant neuropathic nerve pain. The entire time that Marc was dealing with these surgeries and the loss of his legs, his ex-wife brought him back to court to get more child support. Even after learning that Marc had lost the use of his legs, she continued to drag out the court proceeding, looking for more money. Knowing that she was not going to get anymore money out of Marc, as he could no longer work, she wanted sole legal and physical custody of the child. So, per her wishes, we gave her full legal and sole custody of the child. The cost of this whole process was $7,000. During this time we also incurred several other expenses as well to include prescriptions, medical bills, modifications to the house, modifications to his vehicle, a manual wheelchair and an electric wheelchair. Through the help of family and our entire savings account, we were able to stay ahead.
A few months ago, Marc started complaining about numbness and sharp pain in his arms and hands. The narrowing in his neck had gotten worse and he needed another surgery of his upper spinal column. this surgery occured in May, 2016 and he came out of surgery without the use of his hands. All he could move were the thumbs and index fingers on both hands. In order for him to come home, we needed to purchase more specialized medical equipment for him to be able to function on his own. Marc is still recovering from this surgery and has gotten some movement back in his hands but still has no feeling/sensation in them and is very weak in the arms, thus causing him to have trouble pushing himself in his manual wheelchair. We will not know if he will regain all use of his hands or not for sometime.
Through all of this, Marc has maintained a great attitude and continues to work through his pain to get better without ever complaining. He makes sure that I am all set everyday for work and makes sure the kids have everything they need. He has given so much to the kids and I that I would love to be able to give something back to him. We were in the process of saving up money to buy a specialized lift, that would go in the back of his truck. This lift would be able to lift his electric into the bed of the truck. This would allow him the ability to go more places. With the new medical bills, we once again have had to use our savings to stay ahead. So, this is where I am asking your help. Marc does not know that I am submitting this and it would be a complete surprise for him. All money raised will be used to buy this adaptive equipment for Marc, so that he will be able to get out of the house more often and enjoy life alittle bit more.
I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read our/ Marc's story.
His wife, Julie
Marc and I dated back in high school (1989-1991). We were young and ended up going our separate ways. Twenty-five years later (2010) we found each other again, soulmates. We moved in together in 2011 and two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Marc supported me fully and also took care of my two young children and continues to as though they were his own. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing he was during my chemo/radiation and overall illness and still is.
A few months after my last radiation apointment, Marc started complaining of burning and numbness in his legs. He had lower back surgery in October of 2012 and came out of that surgery feeling better but a week and a half later, he started having pain that was worse than before the first surgery. He ended up having emergency surgery on his lower back in November 2012. Marc had numbness in his legs and had trouble walking and standing. After weeks in the rehab hospital, Marc was able to come home and could walk but only with the use of a walker. On Christmas morning, 2012, Marc woke up complaining that his right arm was completely paralyzed. After hours of massaging his arm, he finally regained movement. The following week we had an MRI done of his upper back (neck) and found that he had severe spinal stenosis (narrowing) of his spinal column causing the nerves to be pinched. Marc had surgery and came out paralyzed from the waist down. He spent 2 months in the rehab hospital and then another 4 months, 3 times per week, in outpatient rehab at Spaulding Rehab in Boston, quite the roadtrip from Jaffrey, NH. During that surgery, Marc also sustained a paralyzed vocal cord due to the entry through the front of his neck to complete the surgery. A few months later Marc underwent another surgery to implant a bladder stimulator to help him with his bathroom needs and had to have an injection in his vocal cord, so he would be able to speak.
Since the 2nd surgery, Marc has had to deal with constant neuropathic nerve pain. The entire time that Marc was dealing with these surgeries and the loss of his legs, his ex-wife brought him back to court to get more child support. Even after learning that Marc had lost the use of his legs, she continued to drag out the court proceeding, looking for more money. Knowing that she was not going to get anymore money out of Marc, as he could no longer work, she wanted sole legal and physical custody of the child. So, per her wishes, we gave her full legal and sole custody of the child. The cost of this whole process was $7,000. During this time we also incurred several other expenses as well to include prescriptions, medical bills, modifications to the house, modifications to his vehicle, a manual wheelchair and an electric wheelchair. Through the help of family and our entire savings account, we were able to stay ahead.
A few months ago, Marc started complaining about numbness and sharp pain in his arms and hands. The narrowing in his neck had gotten worse and he needed another surgery of his upper spinal column. this surgery occured in May, 2016 and he came out of surgery without the use of his hands. All he could move were the thumbs and index fingers on both hands. In order for him to come home, we needed to purchase more specialized medical equipment for him to be able to function on his own. Marc is still recovering from this surgery and has gotten some movement back in his hands but still has no feeling/sensation in them and is very weak in the arms, thus causing him to have trouble pushing himself in his manual wheelchair. We will not know if he will regain all use of his hands or not for sometime.
Through all of this, Marc has maintained a great attitude and continues to work through his pain to get better without ever complaining. He makes sure that I am all set everyday for work and makes sure the kids have everything they need. He has given so much to the kids and I that I would love to be able to give something back to him. We were in the process of saving up money to buy a specialized lift, that would go in the back of his truck. This lift would be able to lift his electric into the bed of the truck. This would allow him the ability to go more places. With the new medical bills, we once again have had to use our savings to stay ahead. So, this is where I am asking your help. Marc does not know that I am submitting this and it would be a complete surprise for him. All money raised will be used to buy this adaptive equipment for Marc, so that he will be able to get out of the house more often and enjoy life alittle bit more.
I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read our/ Marc's story.
His wife, Julie
Organizer
Julie Carignan
Organizer
Jaffrey, NH