Bernardo Family

Joey, Anneke’s husband, has liver cancer. The cancer is incurable. The tumor is very aggressive and is in and around the portal vein. This is the vein that conveys blood to the liver from the spleen, stomach, pancreas and intestines.

The tumor cannot be operated on and did not respond to the treatment used to slow down the growth. In fact, just recently the family was told that not only did it not slow down, but the tumor increased in size and mass.  We know that God can provide a miracle and mabey that miracle is to heal Joey here on earth or maybe it is to heal him in heaven. Either way, the family is confident that The Lord will heal him.

There is one other alternative treatment which they are going to try, which may or may not work to slow down the tumor's progression. This new treatment
will have very painful side effects due to Joeys RA and OA. He is going to try it for as long as he can manage.

The infusion treatments may be once or twice a week. We don't know yet. It costs $20+ to park each time we go to this place. There is no handicap discount or parking validation. Anneke is using up all her time off and gas to get to Santa Monica and back each time they go, but she can barely has enough gas to get to work. Each day she is gone for treatment is a day missed at work and it impacts her pay. 

Meals would be great, when the family gets the treatment schedule for anyone who can provide.  We will likely set a meal train up at that time as well. 

They are trying to sell the house in order to move into a house more affordable.  There are many repairs to the house they are trying to take care of so they can get the best possible price for it. There are broken screens that need replaced, sprinklers replaced in the yard, one toilet replaced, the sun-room needs flooring and baseboard molding needs to be placed in the whole front of the house. These repairs have been impossible to finish because of Joey's illness and his inability to have the energy or ability to do the work. 

With the monthly doctor visits, weekly to bi-weekly infusions, co-payments, home repairs, missed work the family is really struggling right now to make ends meet and simply spend quality time together unsure of how long they have left spend together. Simple things like getting groceries in the house is a struggle. There is no breathing room for the family.

Even if we could provide a nice get away for them as a family and spend time together somewhere would be nice. The idea of trying to do a local overnight trip has been hard for various reasons. Joey can't go very far, and Anneke needs to save days to not miss work for his doctor appointments and the lack of funds prevent this anyway.  If we could find someone to donate a house or place that by the beach or lake could be a nice alternative.  

All of these items listed are basic needs to get them through this time.  There will be much more this family needs when Joey leaves us to be with the Lord, if this ends up being what God decides is the only way to heal and free Joey for good.  While we do not want to think of this right now it is something that must be done to prepare the family as best we can to prevent them from worrying about how they will afford a celebration of life for an amazing husband, father, grandpa and friend.  

Anything you can provide from a small or large donation, meals, time to lend for repairing or fixing items for the house, gas money or anything you are able is appreciated.  Above all else prayers for this family is needed and welcomed!  Thank you for your consideration to lend a helping had to a family who has given so much to so many.