Averee Kirkland Patton Family Fund
Donation protected
Friends & Family of the Kirkland-Patton Family,
We are devastated to learn of Drew's transition this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with both the Kirkland and Patton families, and we're sending an outpouring of love to Averee, Grayson and Mary Glynn.
A group of friends are starting this Go Fund Me to support the family. Our hope is to establish a fund for extracurricular enrichment for the twins (music lessons, athletic lessons/fees, summer camps, etc.). Our minimum goal is $1,000 per month for each -- a total of $24,000. Anything above and beyond could help Averee with any lingering medical expenses; family counseling; and perhaps academic scholarships for the twins. Averee and Lynn have sole rights to account withdrawals.
Below is a FB post from Averee written on the eve of Drew's passing.
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Friends & Family:
I have been hesitant to post on fb about my husband’s health because he is a very private person so I have remained respectful of his wishes. He didn’t want a caring bridge site so I honored that request but I wanted to share just a tiny bit of our journey and maybe tell you what an awesome guy my husband is.
Drew had two surgeries between November and February. One found stage 1 bladder cancer followed by 6 weeks of immunotherapy and the second found stage 4 small bowel cancer metastasized to the liver. We went to MD Anderson in Houston and he endured 10 weeks of heavy chemo and 8 weeks of lighter chemo because the first round was too hard on his already compromised body.
We had scheduled our trip to Houston for this past week but had to cancel it after Drew got very sick. Scans showed an obstruction in his small bowel caused by the returned, worsened cancer and the tumors on his liver had grown. Our oncologist gave us very few options but one was to come home on hospice which is what we chose.
I know there are many of you out there who have cared for a chronically ill spouse, parent, child, sibling or friend for way longer than I have. Let me just kneel before you, praise your name and tell you that there will be a special place for you in heaven. It has been a hard road for me and I’d be lying if I said I’m not a mess and grief-stricken and anxious about my future and my precious children are no different than me.
For those of you who know us well, know that Drew has always been a servant first and foremost. My teacher friends have always given me a hard time because he ironed my clothes, fixed my breakfast and made my lunch EVERY SINGLE DAY OF OUR MARRIED LIFE. I just hope and pray that his example will manifest itself in me and my children. He is the most honest and loyal person I’ve ever known. He has taken care of us well and I will always treasure our memories.
I’ve learned so much along this journey. I’ve learned to be more present to those around me, to see beauty in a tiny, insignificant moment, to have more patience with my children but what I’ve learned most is how important my family is to me. My mom and sisters came to my house to support me when telling the twins about the obstruction and hospice. At times, I felt as though I was on the outside of a window watching my children weep for their daddy and my mom and sisters telling them, we are here for you, lean on us, we will carry you through this. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.
So many people have reached out via phone calls, texts, emails and fb messages. I’ve responded to some and not to others due to the nature of the situation so my mom has been helping me respond. I promise we will get back to everyone in time.
For now, thank you from every inch of my heart for the way that our extended family and friends have loved us so well. You have brought food, flowers, gift cards, garden vegetables, books, and so much more. Thank you for the ways you have supported my little family and are continuing to support us. It will never be forgotten and I only hope I am able to pay it forward someday.
Today and tomorrow and the next day, hug your loved ones. I’ve read that for years and never really taken advantage of that suggestion in the moment. I’m going to count this as my one and only “caring bridge entry”.
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My God continue to bless the Patton and Kirkland families.
We are devastated to learn of Drew's transition this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with both the Kirkland and Patton families, and we're sending an outpouring of love to Averee, Grayson and Mary Glynn.
A group of friends are starting this Go Fund Me to support the family. Our hope is to establish a fund for extracurricular enrichment for the twins (music lessons, athletic lessons/fees, summer camps, etc.). Our minimum goal is $1,000 per month for each -- a total of $24,000. Anything above and beyond could help Averee with any lingering medical expenses; family counseling; and perhaps academic scholarships for the twins. Averee and Lynn have sole rights to account withdrawals.
Below is a FB post from Averee written on the eve of Drew's passing.
-----------
Friends & Family:
I have been hesitant to post on fb about my husband’s health because he is a very private person so I have remained respectful of his wishes. He didn’t want a caring bridge site so I honored that request but I wanted to share just a tiny bit of our journey and maybe tell you what an awesome guy my husband is.
Drew had two surgeries between November and February. One found stage 1 bladder cancer followed by 6 weeks of immunotherapy and the second found stage 4 small bowel cancer metastasized to the liver. We went to MD Anderson in Houston and he endured 10 weeks of heavy chemo and 8 weeks of lighter chemo because the first round was too hard on his already compromised body.
We had scheduled our trip to Houston for this past week but had to cancel it after Drew got very sick. Scans showed an obstruction in his small bowel caused by the returned, worsened cancer and the tumors on his liver had grown. Our oncologist gave us very few options but one was to come home on hospice which is what we chose.
I know there are many of you out there who have cared for a chronically ill spouse, parent, child, sibling or friend for way longer than I have. Let me just kneel before you, praise your name and tell you that there will be a special place for you in heaven. It has been a hard road for me and I’d be lying if I said I’m not a mess and grief-stricken and anxious about my future and my precious children are no different than me.
For those of you who know us well, know that Drew has always been a servant first and foremost. My teacher friends have always given me a hard time because he ironed my clothes, fixed my breakfast and made my lunch EVERY SINGLE DAY OF OUR MARRIED LIFE. I just hope and pray that his example will manifest itself in me and my children. He is the most honest and loyal person I’ve ever known. He has taken care of us well and I will always treasure our memories.
I’ve learned so much along this journey. I’ve learned to be more present to those around me, to see beauty in a tiny, insignificant moment, to have more patience with my children but what I’ve learned most is how important my family is to me. My mom and sisters came to my house to support me when telling the twins about the obstruction and hospice. At times, I felt as though I was on the outside of a window watching my children weep for their daddy and my mom and sisters telling them, we are here for you, lean on us, we will carry you through this. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.
So many people have reached out via phone calls, texts, emails and fb messages. I’ve responded to some and not to others due to the nature of the situation so my mom has been helping me respond. I promise we will get back to everyone in time.
For now, thank you from every inch of my heart for the way that our extended family and friends have loved us so well. You have brought food, flowers, gift cards, garden vegetables, books, and so much more. Thank you for the ways you have supported my little family and are continuing to support us. It will never be forgotten and I only hope I am able to pay it forward someday.
Today and tomorrow and the next day, hug your loved ones. I’ve read that for years and never really taken advantage of that suggestion in the moment. I’m going to count this as my one and only “caring bridge entry”.
-----------
My God continue to bless the Patton and Kirkland families.
Fundraising team: Averee and Lynn's Friends (3)
Samantha Briggs
Organizer
Raised $450 from 3 donations
Birmingham, AL
Lynn Kirkland
Beneficiary
Raised $225 from 4 donations
Samantha Elliott Briggs
Team member
This team raised $1,950 from 14 other donations.
