Brett's Final Battle
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Melissa Holloman, wife of Brett Holloman and this is our story.
Chief Brett Holloman of the Woodfin Police Department is many things: a father, a friend, a son, a brother, a husband and a poppa!
Most importantly, Brett is a fighter. As a 27 yr veteran of the Woodfin Police Department, he is used to fighting everyday for the safety of others. Several years ago Brett found himself in a fight he never saw coming - Leukemia! He was young, had two small children, a wife, and many other responsibilities, but the only way for survival was a Bone Marrow Transplant!
Brett started his treatment while testing began for a suitable donor! Finally, after lots of tears, Doctor visits, travel and testing expenses, a donor was found and Brett received his transplant!! However, Brett fell in the 3% of people whose graft doesn’t completely take! Brett has been battling Cancer and transplant issues for 20 years! In fact, he just celebrated the anniversary of his bone marrow transplant on March 27th!! Through the grace of God Brett is living well past the expectency of life fighting complication from a Bone Marrow Transplant!! He has had countless surgeries -- his knee and hip both have been replaced--and his jawbone has been removed!! He has also had surgeries for skin cancer and suffers from Graft-Verses-Host Disease!! A disease in patients that have a BMT and their body continually tries to kill it. He takes high doses of steroids to help fight this, but there are other complications as a result.
Since February Brett has had 6 hospital stays, all amounting from one week to three consecutive weeks each time. In February he was hospitalized for the flu, viral pneumonia and RSV all at the same time!!! He was very very sick and things really didnt look to offer a positive outcome. His Doctor even had some serious concerns about survival!!
During his hospital stay and home care I missed several weeks of work and so did he. I had no PDO so I took internment FMLA with no pay! I have not received a full pay check in months and sometimes not one at all!! But, I know the good Lord has his hands on us and will see us through!!
Brett has had several Doctor visits since Feb. Two of which, he traveled to Baptist Hospital! He has a place on his head that needs to be removed, may potentially need knee surgery again and all of this will continue to keep us both out of work! He has elevated Liver functions, an elevated Thyroid, weak kidneys and all over pain and discomfort! He is on oxygen at home and still at times struggles to breath.
To add to it all, Brett was recently diagnosed with a tumor in his mouth!! It is a rapid growing one and will cause issues quickly!! The prognosis is not good, but we are trying to remain positive!! The Doctors have given him 6 months to a year. He has the option for surgery to have the tumor removed, at Baptist Hospital, but once it is removed he is not able to have chemo or radiation to help with the fight!! So, surgery is his only option and there is no guarantee.
However, this past week he feel and broke his pelvis in two places so surgery has been delayed which, in return, will allow the tumor to grow!! We could potentially come out of our window for surgery waiting on his body to heal, but I know the Lord is in charge of everything!
I've always known the time would come when I needed to be available for Brett 24/7, as I was 20yrs ago! We are all uncertain what tomorrow holds and truthfully Brett could outlive us all, but I need to be realistic and start thinking about what this would look like. I would need to work from home and in my current job that is not a possiblity. I would need to further my education to allow for me be at home and provide support and care.
I ask that you please keep Brett and our family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue through this fight. Brett has a long, long way to go to get past this latest battle.
I am asking for the community and anyone else to consider helping us with our bills. We have a house pymt, car pymt, loan pymts, plus your everyday bills. Not to mention the added Dr bills and medication bills. I haven't worked much since Feb 17th and he isn't working at all now!!! We are needing anything to keep us going, and plan for the days ahead whether that means surgery and months at Baptist or the other!! And, to have some extra for anything and everything that could happen during the next several weeks!!
Brett is beginning rehab for his pelvic break this week. Please pray for comfort and strength.
During this last year, if he is able, I would love to take Brett places he's never been!! To see things and live out his life admiring Gods glory!! Brett is an amazing man and has dedicated his life to God and the service of others. He is a deacon, a husband and devoted father! Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated!!!! Thank you and God bless!!!
Chief Brett Holloman of the Woodfin Police Department is many things: a father, a friend, a son, a brother, a husband and a poppa!
Most importantly, Brett is a fighter. As a 27 yr veteran of the Woodfin Police Department, he is used to fighting everyday for the safety of others. Several years ago Brett found himself in a fight he never saw coming - Leukemia! He was young, had two small children, a wife, and many other responsibilities, but the only way for survival was a Bone Marrow Transplant!
Brett started his treatment while testing began for a suitable donor! Finally, after lots of tears, Doctor visits, travel and testing expenses, a donor was found and Brett received his transplant!! However, Brett fell in the 3% of people whose graft doesn’t completely take! Brett has been battling Cancer and transplant issues for 20 years! In fact, he just celebrated the anniversary of his bone marrow transplant on March 27th!! Through the grace of God Brett is living well past the expectency of life fighting complication from a Bone Marrow Transplant!! He has had countless surgeries -- his knee and hip both have been replaced--and his jawbone has been removed!! He has also had surgeries for skin cancer and suffers from Graft-Verses-Host Disease!! A disease in patients that have a BMT and their body continually tries to kill it. He takes high doses of steroids to help fight this, but there are other complications as a result.
Since February Brett has had 6 hospital stays, all amounting from one week to three consecutive weeks each time. In February he was hospitalized for the flu, viral pneumonia and RSV all at the same time!!! He was very very sick and things really didnt look to offer a positive outcome. His Doctor even had some serious concerns about survival!!
During his hospital stay and home care I missed several weeks of work and so did he. I had no PDO so I took internment FMLA with no pay! I have not received a full pay check in months and sometimes not one at all!! But, I know the good Lord has his hands on us and will see us through!!
Brett has had several Doctor visits since Feb. Two of which, he traveled to Baptist Hospital! He has a place on his head that needs to be removed, may potentially need knee surgery again and all of this will continue to keep us both out of work! He has elevated Liver functions, an elevated Thyroid, weak kidneys and all over pain and discomfort! He is on oxygen at home and still at times struggles to breath.
To add to it all, Brett was recently diagnosed with a tumor in his mouth!! It is a rapid growing one and will cause issues quickly!! The prognosis is not good, but we are trying to remain positive!! The Doctors have given him 6 months to a year. He has the option for surgery to have the tumor removed, at Baptist Hospital, but once it is removed he is not able to have chemo or radiation to help with the fight!! So, surgery is his only option and there is no guarantee.
However, this past week he feel and broke his pelvis in two places so surgery has been delayed which, in return, will allow the tumor to grow!! We could potentially come out of our window for surgery waiting on his body to heal, but I know the Lord is in charge of everything!
I've always known the time would come when I needed to be available for Brett 24/7, as I was 20yrs ago! We are all uncertain what tomorrow holds and truthfully Brett could outlive us all, but I need to be realistic and start thinking about what this would look like. I would need to work from home and in my current job that is not a possiblity. I would need to further my education to allow for me be at home and provide support and care.
I ask that you please keep Brett and our family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue through this fight. Brett has a long, long way to go to get past this latest battle.
I am asking for the community and anyone else to consider helping us with our bills. We have a house pymt, car pymt, loan pymts, plus your everyday bills. Not to mention the added Dr bills and medication bills. I haven't worked much since Feb 17th and he isn't working at all now!!! We are needing anything to keep us going, and plan for the days ahead whether that means surgery and months at Baptist or the other!! And, to have some extra for anything and everything that could happen during the next several weeks!!
Brett is beginning rehab for his pelvic break this week. Please pray for comfort and strength.
During this last year, if he is able, I would love to take Brett places he's never been!! To see things and live out his life admiring Gods glory!! Brett is an amazing man and has dedicated his life to God and the service of others. He is a deacon, a husband and devoted father! Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated!!!! Thank you and God bless!!!
Organizer
Melissa Holloman
Organizer
Asheville, NC
Inspired to help? Start a fundraiser for someone you know
