Support for Joey's Family

The message below is from our older brother, Jeff, who is living in England and currently unable to be home. He wants to help, and this is a way he can. Please read his message and share.  Thank you.


In July, my younger brother, Joey (41) felt ill for a couple of weeks. He "toughed" it out, but finally went to the doctor. After bloodwork, he was admitted to the hospital on July 12th. Original diagnosis was an infected abscess on his liver. He was not healing well, and by the end of July the diagnosis was cancer on his liver. By Monday August 6th it was determined it was also in his lungs and adrenal glands. The cancer was the most aggressive his doctor had seen, but he wanted to fight. Unfortunately he never got to begin his fight, and late Wednesday he passed away.  For our family, this has been devastating. He was healthy until this point. Now, his wife and 8 year old daughter are left without a husband and father. The loss for them is overwhelming. Carrie has gone back to work to try and maintain normalcy, as Joey had requested, and because bills still have to be paid. We are not looking to raise money for her to have time off. She does want to work. What I am hoping to do is relieve the stress of going from a two income household to one. The last thing I want for her is to have the stress of finances on top of losing a husband, at least for the short term future. I know that eventually, Carrie will be able to cope on her own, but she is carrying such a load right now, and I want to help lighten it. Thanks to everyone who has already done so much for our family, especially Carrie and Marley. It really has been overwhelming. There is so much good in the world. Sadly, sometimes it takes moments like this to see all of it. I think I will notice it more now because of Joey's death.