Family First

After a long discussion with my beautiful wife and my father a decision was made. As a long standing employee at my job i never wanted to take the FMLA leave or disrupt my income. I have worked holidays, nights, days and weekends to keep things going. It was my decision to live like this to keep money coming in. My focus was keeping my employer happy. Keep Cole happy and everything will be fine...
I’m not taking care of myself. I myself have never created a “go fund me” or asked for anything. My family and friends have done a couple things to help and I’m so grateful. To my family and friends who have already donated thank you. I’m not asking you to donate again but please share this post for Cole. It takes a lot of my pride to realize how real it is now.
I need your help.
I am taking FMLA leave effective immediately and I’m scared to do it. I’m swallowing my pride and doing this for Cole. This time I am staying in Ohio until Cole is well. And if Cole comes home I’m staying home with him until he is well or until time runs out so I do not lose my job. My only worry today is keeping his expensive insurance going and getting him healthy. Nothing else matters to me anymore. Share this to the world. This is real life.
This community we live in is so wonderful. The power you guys have with the click of a button is amazing. I’ll give back one day.
It hurts me so bad to say this... I’m nearing tears to put my world and my life on hold.
This is me. I need help. Please share.

Here is the latest update on Cole.

Cole was thriving after a procedure that temporarily stretched his colon near a point of concern. For the first time in over three months I had my sons laughter. I had my sons bright smile, sassiness and imagination that makes my heart melt. This kid was healthy and coming home...
How fast health can flip in the opposite direction. After three days of faith and hope coming to reality, Cole took a step back. Cole not only is obstructed, in pain and uncomfortable but after a bad night and NG tube in place Coles ability to hold down anything including water turned into vomiting stool and unable to get things to pass. The treatment plan for Cole which appeared to be successful failed after it’s 5-day trial.
The surgeons at the best hospital in the country and notably known to other countries as reference to the treatment for kids with colorectal complications is stumped. This is their case with no answers.
Before a possible worst-case scenario being surgery (his 8th) again to diagnose, another more severe drug will be introduced to rule out a few symptoms. Cole is lethargic and can’t eat or drink until further notice. I just got back from Ohio with high hopes.
Now, nearing nothing... as a father you can’t care about anything but your family first. It’s going to be very hard and ends won’t meet in the next month.
I have worked very hard going back and forth. I have worked very hard always catching up my job week in and week out. I have worked very hard on everything that revolves around Cole just to realize I’m sitting at my home without him, talking to you.
You guys have been so wonderful to us and I can’t thank you enough but I will try. Due to the doubling of my insurance payments on top of a significant chop involved in my monthly finances is troubling.
But yes I need to be there. If something went worse with my child which it could, I need to be there.
I am filing and signing every possible program to get me through this. I won’t get into specifics about the reality of my current Livelihood issues. But I will specify I’ve done everything. I’ve tried to keep my head down and hopes high. I’ve tried to prove myself and work hard. I’ve tried to take ownership at work and hold the head of my household for my family. It’s been over 10 months of this. It gets scrolled past by some but it’s every single day in my world.
It’s time for less headache while I can. Less worry. My job right now as a father, no matter the financial loss or sleep deprivation or frustration... my job is to be there and make a 7 year old boy full of life and fighting chance, full of questions and experiments and wonder to smile... To tell him everything is ok.
I have been so scared to drop the 1% of what is actually important. Because I’m in fear of losing everything? Last year I almost lost everything... it wasn’t work, it wasn’t food or gas...
My child almost died.
We’re talking minutes chance to stay alive.
I almost didn’t say bye to Cole. I almost didn’t tell him I loved him most because I was so worried about everyday things that are “more important”.
I’m going back. #colestrong