Brian Parker Family Fund
Donation protected
Life is crazy. Back in January, after trying for over a year, my wife and I finally got pregnant and we were both so overjoyed. I can't really describe the feeling of excitement and closeness I felt with her and our two kids over the prospect of adding another member to our family. We started our preparations for the new little one.
In April, after some persistent pain, my wife pushed me to go to the doctor. After a huge sigh of relief from an initial evaluation, further testing confirmed what we feared. I was diagnosed with cancer in the beginning of May. Again, I can't really describe the feelings I had. I began treatment shortly after. Chemotherapy, to be followed by radiation. You know. The fun stuff. Simply put, it's been hard.
For those of you who know me very well, you know that I try and keep a light sense of humor about most things. I tried to with this as well. I wanted to be positive for my family. Keep them in good spirits. My wife Yu, has been amazing. Strong, loving, and supportive. I couldn't have asked for anything more. She's been fighting for me when I haven't had it in me to fight for myself. She's my lifeline.
A couple of weeks ago, my dear friend Elaina Winter, set up a Gofundme page on my behalf. She wanted to raise money for my family to take care of ourselves during my treatment. This was a gesture of unprecedented generosity and I was taken aback. After getting over the initial shock, I asked Elaina to take the page down and return the money to the amazingly generous people who donated. After much protest, she did. Please understand that it was not because of a lack of gratitude. My reason for asking her to take it down is that my wife and I are fortunate to have decent health insurance. Also, I wanted to keep working. I didn't feel comfortable asking people for help if I'm capable of working myself. Everybody has their own commitments and responsibilities. I don't like the idea of being a burden on anybody.
I went back to work for a week. Please understand that my choice to go back wasn't out of arrogance or hubris. I just wanted to handle my responsibilities. On the days where I was able to make it in, I struggled immensely to ignore the limitations that my body have become beholden which of course, only made things worse. I felt guilty because I want my work to be at 100% all the time. It's too important to me that the people who hire me and entrust me to contribute positively to their productions, be satisfied with the work I'm doing. Unfortunately, I've had to step back from working at least until after the treatments.
Then, a little over two weeks ago, our new daughter Camryn was born and it was one of the most amazing and beautiful moments of my life. I had a new clarity. The most important thing right now for me, is family. One of the things that is it the utmost imperative to me is taking care of my family. Being unable to work is very limiting in that regard. This is where after a lot of thought, hesitation, and inner conflict, I return to Elaina, hat in hand, to admit that she was right about being open minded enough to receive love and generosity from others.
So the fund is back up. Sorry about being hard headed. Sometimes, the right answer might not be the one we are comfortable with. It's hard for me to ask the people that I care about for help because I dread the idea of being an inconvenience or imposing on anybody but the day I first looked Camryn in the eyes, I realized it's not just about me and my comfort zone. I have to do what's best for my family. I have no demands, expectations, or requests from anybody. I can't do that to the people that I care about. If there's any drive or impulse to contribute to the fund, we would be eternally grateful but even if you don't, a kind word or positive vibe has so much value and would be just as gratefully appreciated as well. Anything that helps, helps and we love you for it but not because of it. My family will cherish any love that you can send our way. Thank you for reading. Thank you for being a part of our lives.
Sincerely,
Brian Parker
In April, after some persistent pain, my wife pushed me to go to the doctor. After a huge sigh of relief from an initial evaluation, further testing confirmed what we feared. I was diagnosed with cancer in the beginning of May. Again, I can't really describe the feelings I had. I began treatment shortly after. Chemotherapy, to be followed by radiation. You know. The fun stuff. Simply put, it's been hard.
For those of you who know me very well, you know that I try and keep a light sense of humor about most things. I tried to with this as well. I wanted to be positive for my family. Keep them in good spirits. My wife Yu, has been amazing. Strong, loving, and supportive. I couldn't have asked for anything more. She's been fighting for me when I haven't had it in me to fight for myself. She's my lifeline.
A couple of weeks ago, my dear friend Elaina Winter, set up a Gofundme page on my behalf. She wanted to raise money for my family to take care of ourselves during my treatment. This was a gesture of unprecedented generosity and I was taken aback. After getting over the initial shock, I asked Elaina to take the page down and return the money to the amazingly generous people who donated. After much protest, she did. Please understand that it was not because of a lack of gratitude. My reason for asking her to take it down is that my wife and I are fortunate to have decent health insurance. Also, I wanted to keep working. I didn't feel comfortable asking people for help if I'm capable of working myself. Everybody has their own commitments and responsibilities. I don't like the idea of being a burden on anybody.
I went back to work for a week. Please understand that my choice to go back wasn't out of arrogance or hubris. I just wanted to handle my responsibilities. On the days where I was able to make it in, I struggled immensely to ignore the limitations that my body have become beholden which of course, only made things worse. I felt guilty because I want my work to be at 100% all the time. It's too important to me that the people who hire me and entrust me to contribute positively to their productions, be satisfied with the work I'm doing. Unfortunately, I've had to step back from working at least until after the treatments.
Then, a little over two weeks ago, our new daughter Camryn was born and it was one of the most amazing and beautiful moments of my life. I had a new clarity. The most important thing right now for me, is family. One of the things that is it the utmost imperative to me is taking care of my family. Being unable to work is very limiting in that regard. This is where after a lot of thought, hesitation, and inner conflict, I return to Elaina, hat in hand, to admit that she was right about being open minded enough to receive love and generosity from others.
So the fund is back up. Sorry about being hard headed. Sometimes, the right answer might not be the one we are comfortable with. It's hard for me to ask the people that I care about for help because I dread the idea of being an inconvenience or imposing on anybody but the day I first looked Camryn in the eyes, I realized it's not just about me and my comfort zone. I have to do what's best for my family. I have no demands, expectations, or requests from anybody. I can't do that to the people that I care about. If there's any drive or impulse to contribute to the fund, we would be eternally grateful but even if you don't, a kind word or positive vibe has so much value and would be just as gratefully appreciated as well. Anything that helps, helps and we love you for it but not because of it. My family will cherish any love that you can send our way. Thank you for reading. Thank you for being a part of our lives.
Sincerely,
Brian Parker
Organizer and beneficiary
Elaina Winter
Organizer
Suwanee, GA
Brian Parker
Beneficiary