Hi Friends – We hope you’ve all been well. As you know, the past year has been unimaginably difficult for our family of five. We have faced more in one year than most face in a lifetime. And with the uncertainty of everything going on, we decided to share less with everyone overall because we often don’t have the answers ourselves.

To give everyone a brief update without going into too much detail, Brian had a major STEMI heart attack in August of 2024. At the time, he had blockages of 90% or greater in all three main cardiac arteries and had a 12% chance of survival. We thank God Brian beat those odds!

Since that first night, Brian has had over a dozen hospitalizations and ER visits, six cardiac catheterizations, and he underwent the placement of four stents. He has and is currently dealing with complex coronary artery disease, unstable angina, small vessel disease and ischemia. His most recent week-long hospital stay this September involved discussions of a bypass, either in the near or distant future. While he was eventually discharged, the discussion remains ongoing.

And as most of you know, I was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma in October 2024 – less than two months after Brian’s near-fatal heart attack. I underwent a double mastectomy in November 2024, started endocrine therapy in December 2024 and underwent five weeks of daily radiation in January/February 2025. In just those initial six months, I had over 75 medical appointments, including MRIs, CTs, ultrasounds, x-rays, biopsies, consults, surgery, radiation, physical therapy, medical oncology visits, injections, etc.

Since then, I’ve dealt with several cancer-related complications – including serious allergic reactions (for the first time ever), infection, radiation pneumonitis and cervical radiculopathy. I was encouraged to have another cancer-related surgery this year but have declined, at least for now, because my body has been so traumatized and hyperreactive.

Given our current and past health challenges, we have accrued thousands of dollars in medical bills. Unfortunately, we are a one-income family as I am unable to work due to my ongoing medical issues. Additionally, Brian has missed work frequently due to his health, which means more medical bills and lost wages coupled with a new, high deductible, high cost-share health plan (we pay 83% of the monthly premium; his work pays 17%).

We absolutely HATE to ask, and we’ve put it off for longer than we probably should have, but I’m re-emerging on social media to humbly ask for your assistance if you are able and feel led. Given our income, we aren’t eligible for most assistance programs, but they frustratingly don’t take into account expenses (medical and household) – which are considerable. So, we are starting this new GoFundMe.

We didn’t ask for any of this, and what we’ve been through is beyond incomprehensible – to say the least. Personally, I think we’re giving Job a real run for his money! Dealing with major medical issues and complications and being in chronic pain while raising three children has been hell. And while we try to shield the kids from the brunt of everything, they have suffered as well. We’re often too broke, too tired and in too much pain to do much with them, and that’s not fair to them. They don’t deserve this, and while that breaks our hearts, the kids have handled everything so well and have been so brave.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Each one of you has made this unbearable time easier with your support – whether through a message, a meal, babysitting or a financial donation. We thank you for any kindness, past and present. And while we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, we have faith. We love you.