Chuck's Medical Journey: A Call for Aid

On March 27th, Chuck had a serious fall. What started as a golf ball-sized knot on his back swelled to the size of a basketball within an hour, and he was rushed to the ER. At first, doctors feared internal bleeding, but it was later determined to be a bleeding vein. He spent six days in the hospital as they worked to stop the bleeding.

During his stay, they ran numerous tests, and in the process, they discovered something we never could have expected—an ascending aortic aneurysm. This is a life-threatening condition, and while we are shaken, we are also incredibly grateful it was found before it ruptured. Now, in addition to recovering from his fall, Chuck will need to meet with a cardiac surgeon to determine the next steps. Depending on the size of the aneurysm, he may need surgery in the near future. No matter what, he has a long road to recovery ahead.

With Chuck being self-employed, our financial situation has become incredibly uncertain. Right now, my part-time job is our only source of income. We are doing everything we can—I’m trying to pick up extra hours, and we may have to make the difficult decision to reschedule or cancel Olive’s therapy for the time being. Olive, now 2.5 years old, was born at just 28 weeks and faced many challenges early on, including a grade four bilateral brain bleed that led to periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and permanent brain damage. Olive is a fighter, working hard in therapy four times a week to learn how to walk. Her upcoming appointment will bring a formal diagnosis of cerebral palsy, though it is already an expected part of her journey. Continued therapy is absolutely crucial for her development, helping her build strength, improve muscle control, and develop new neural connections to compensate for areas of damage. Early and consistent intervention will give her the best chance to maximize her mobility and independence while preventing muscle tightness and joint complications. If we can avoid cancellation of these appointments that would be in her best interest. Many of you have so kindly reached out asking how you can help, and while asking for support is not easy for us, we find ourselves in a position where we truly need our community.

If you’re able to contribute, we would be forever grateful. Your kindness, whether through donations, words of encouragement, or simply sharing our story, means the world to us. Thank you for being part of our support system—we couldn’t do this without you.