Brad's Cancer Warrior Fund
Donation protected
Dear Friends,
Many of you are aware that the holiday season brought devastating news for our family. Winter Break began on December 16 much like any other. Brad and I came home from work prepared for 2 weeks of family fun! Plans for our annual Christmas tree excursion were in place for the next day, Christmas, Hanukkah and birthday shopping were planned. Yes, Brad was on antibiotics for pneumonia. No, he did not feel great, but this was not going to derail the plans for a Griswald worthy holiday season!
We had no concept how everything could change in the blink of an eye. On Saturday morning, Brad went out to shovel the driveway in preparation for our departure for above mentioned "Cut your own Tree" adventure. The kids were bundled in Eskimo style, the bag was packed, the house was doggie proofed for the day. Then, everything changed.
Brad came in after one driveway pass and collapsed in a breathless heap on the couch. "Hayden, Alexa! Change in plans. Mommy needs to take Daddy to the hospital."
Our visit to the ER turned into a hospitalization. The hospitalization turned into a battery of tests. The tests turned into a diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer. Brad was able to come home on December 23. He had a PET scan this week that unfortunately showed metastases. We have an MRI today, and a second meeting with Dr. Bonomi at Rush.
We are fully prepared to wage war on cancer with the help of the most wonderfully supportive family and friends in the world! We will beat this!
Unfortunately, Brad is physically unable to work, and because Brad is with a new employer this year, he has no sick days accrued. We received the last check from his employer today in an amount that was one third of what we expected. We will be applying for TRS disability, which will help. However, I will need to pick up the health insurance, so what we make up for in disability goes right out the door in insurance costs. Medical bills are already piling up with a hospitalization and expensive treatments on the horizon.
We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from our family and friends. You are all amazing people and will help get us through. The financial end of this is crippling. People keep asking what we need. Well, this is it. Brad needs to know that his family is secure, and the bills will get paid, so he can focus on battling this demon.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.
With Love,
Julie, Brad, Hayden and Alexa
Many of you are aware that the holiday season brought devastating news for our family. Winter Break began on December 16 much like any other. Brad and I came home from work prepared for 2 weeks of family fun! Plans for our annual Christmas tree excursion were in place for the next day, Christmas, Hanukkah and birthday shopping were planned. Yes, Brad was on antibiotics for pneumonia. No, he did not feel great, but this was not going to derail the plans for a Griswald worthy holiday season!
We had no concept how everything could change in the blink of an eye. On Saturday morning, Brad went out to shovel the driveway in preparation for our departure for above mentioned "Cut your own Tree" adventure. The kids were bundled in Eskimo style, the bag was packed, the house was doggie proofed for the day. Then, everything changed.
Brad came in after one driveway pass and collapsed in a breathless heap on the couch. "Hayden, Alexa! Change in plans. Mommy needs to take Daddy to the hospital."
Our visit to the ER turned into a hospitalization. The hospitalization turned into a battery of tests. The tests turned into a diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer. Brad was able to come home on December 23. He had a PET scan this week that unfortunately showed metastases. We have an MRI today, and a second meeting with Dr. Bonomi at Rush.
We are fully prepared to wage war on cancer with the help of the most wonderfully supportive family and friends in the world! We will beat this!
Unfortunately, Brad is physically unable to work, and because Brad is with a new employer this year, he has no sick days accrued. We received the last check from his employer today in an amount that was one third of what we expected. We will be applying for TRS disability, which will help. However, I will need to pick up the health insurance, so what we make up for in disability goes right out the door in insurance costs. Medical bills are already piling up with a hospitalization and expensive treatments on the horizon.
We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from our family and friends. You are all amazing people and will help get us through. The financial end of this is crippling. People keep asking what we need. Well, this is it. Brad needs to know that his family is secure, and the bills will get paid, so he can focus on battling this demon.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.
With Love,
Julie, Brad, Hayden and Alexa
Organizer
Julie Jacobs Snyder
Organizer
Cary, IL
