Hope from Heaven - Support for Brian's Girls

Fall 2024 Update:

It’s with deep sorrow, and the greatest heartbreak, that we announce the passing of Brian Lavocat. Brian was given his angel wings & walked through the gates of heaven, on the afternoon of October 27th . Being able to see his girls: his wife Kalene & his two young daughters Lexi & Haley, one last time off the ventilator was his last and final wish. Being the husband and father that Brian always was to his girls, he needed to show them that anything was possible and to always have hope no matter how difficult a situation may be. Brian’s undeniable and fierce love for his girls is something that was a once in a lifetime type of love. A love that was so pure and so beautiful, but also a love that leaves behind such a profound sense of emptiness.

Brian ultimately lost his battle to cancer, but lost is not the right word to use for our Bubba. Brian battled his way through many obstacles over the course of his last year on earth. Through each hardship and every setback, Brian did absolutely anything that he could to make it home to his girls for just one more day together.

Brian always had hope for a healthy future, hope for a better tomorrow, and hope that he would always be able to be here on earth to love, provide and take care of his girls.

Even at the end, Brian was still trying to work to provide for his daughters and their future. Please consider donating to Bubba’s greatest and most beloved accomplishment, his two little girls. Knowing that his family is being supported, as they navigate through this terribly difficult chapter, would have meant absolutely everything to Brian. Let’s show Brian, our Bubba, exactly what he has shown each and every one of us, that hope is the last thing ever lost.

Summer 2023:

To know Brian is to love him. Reliable, loyal, humble, hardworking, kind & loving are just a few words to describe our “Bubba.” Brian is the greatest son, brother, husband, dad & friend that you could ever ask for. He would give anyone the shirt off his back, even if that meant that he would go without. Putting others needs before his own is something that Brian doesn’t think twice about. He leads his life with his heart and doesn’t ever ask for anything in return from anyone. Brian wears many titles, but his most honorable is his title of being the best husband and dad. Nothing is more important to Brian than his girls: his wife Kalene, and his two daughters Lexi & Haley.

Just when things seemed to be going in the right direction, life for Brian and his family took a devastating turn in June of 2023. Brian was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell lung cancer.

Brian currently has an egg sized mass in his left lung, which has partially collapsed his lung. The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, it’s in his right lung and lower abdomen. They have also recently found two spots on his brain, which were treated with radiation.

He goes to chemotherapy every three weeks as treatment. The first rounds of treatment didn't work, and the mass grew slightly. He is now going through a different type of chemotherapy and hopefully starting a clinical trial soon.

The new chemotherapy lowered his white blood cell count so much so that his body couldn't fight off bacteria that entered his body. Due to his body being more prone to infection, he just recently spent four days at Roswell fighting off an infection that also caused a small bleed in his lung. He received a blood transfusion and several rounds of antibiotics, as well as five rounds of radiation to help stop the bleeding in his lung. Thankfully, he made it home just in time to celebrate Christmas with his family.

Those of us who are lucky enough to know Brian, know just how special it feels to be on the receiving end of his friendship. Now it’s our turn to give back to Brian, as he continues to take on and endure the greatest fight of his life. Brian is currently trying to live his life as he always has; in order to maintain stability and normalcy at home for his girls. Brian is still working to support his family, even though his treatments and health need to be his primary focus.

As we enter into the new year, it’s important to remember that each day spent with the ones we love is truly the greatest gift of all. If you could find it in your heart and have the means to help Brian, please consider donating so that he can continue his fight, while focusing on his family. If you are unable to donate, please share his story. Brian is not someone who would ever ask for help, but we know that showing Brian just how much we love & support him will mean the absolute world to him.

Last, please keep the Lavocat family in your thoughts and prayers.

"With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26