Donate to Jason's Battle for Health and Hope

It is with a very heavy heart that I'm starting this. My brother-in-law has been fighting leukemia for 9 years. He has been very private about his struggles. He underwent his 1st bone marrow transplant in June 2022. He had the best donor match he could find, and we were all very hopeful of recovery. He even had a few months of his leukemia being in remission! We were all so excited and hopeful. But just a few months later, with the return of symptoms, our worst fears were confirmed. His leukemia was indeed not in remission. Taking a big toll physically, psychologically, and emotionally, he continued the fight. He started a new chemo medication and was enrolled in a study. Numbers improved, and symptoms were managed. We again were all very hopeful. At the beginning of 2024, the chemo seemed to stop working. Leukemia cells were becoming more resistant to the new drug, and yet again, symptoms returned. He was presented with the difficult decision to undergo a second bone marrow transplant or continue on his current treatment plan that could potentially only provide 5 years, if lucky.

At this same exact time, his wife, my sister, was to undergo her own necessary medical procedure that absolutely couldn't be avoided. Her own surgical recovery has been long and slow, even now still working on recovery. And unfortunately, she's been unable to go back to teaching this school year.

So with all of this going on, a second BMT match was difficult to come by, and eventually, his doctor recommended one of their teen kids be the donor. Without hesitation or reservation, my niece, Annemarie, offered. She is by far a daddy's little girl. So after a long medical process, it was confirmed that Annie would be his donor.

Annie's cells being harvested

On December 6th, Jason was admitted to Froedtert Center for Advanced Care in preparation for the transplant. He received high-dose chemotherapy, and the day before the transplant, underwent full-body radiation. December 13th, the transplant was performed. Just days after, he developed a high fever and vomiting. The oncology team assured us that this was potentially just part of the process, but they sent tests to confirm there weren't any viruses or infections. To date, the initial tests have been negative for anything, but Jason continued to decline with complaints of shortness of breath, increased vomiting, and continued fever. His appetite had declined, and he was very lethargic. The oncology team reassured that this was part of the process and is common as it was side effects of all the chemo and radiation. Despite our efforts of expressing concern, providers continued to maintain their current plan of care.

Friday, December 20th, doctors spoke to my sister, said they really needed to encourage Jason to get out of the bed more. Concerned that some of his issues were related to his decreased activity. 4:30 pm, Jason texted my sister to tell her he wasn't feeling well and felt light-headed. 5:15 pm, my sister gets the call that any family dreads getting. Jason had fallen in the bathroom, he called out for help and was found on the floor. Shortly after help arrived, he lost consciousness and eventually lost pulses. CPR was started, and a breathing tube was placed. He was transferred to the ICU where sedation and medications to help support his blood pressure were started. New cultures were collected, and new antibiotics were started.

December 21st, he remains intubated with medications to help maintain adequate blood pressures. New cultures came back positive for a resistant bacteria. A stronger antibiotic was started. But since his cardiac arrest, his kidneys have been injured and will potentially require continuous dialysis. Our biggest concern overall right now is also brain function. He has been unstable to the point that getting imaging of his head has been difficult. And with the level of sedation, they have been unable to get a thorough neurological assessment. So now we wait with an extremely uncertain future. We are living hour by hour.

December 22nd, today my sister and Jason would be celebrating their 23rd wedding anniversary. This is not the way they should be remembering this special day. They have been fortunate enough in their lives so far to have a beautiful family. No one should ever be in this situation. These upcoming days are very uncertain. We have no idea at this point what the future holds. So in an effort to help alleviate some stress, I am posting this on their behalf.

Update: December 22nd Jason passed peacefully with his wife, daughter, and myself by his side. Lots of family and friends had visited, just know how truly loved he was. Rest in heaven my brother. Until we meet again

Jason is an army vet who was deployed to Iraq where he sustained a neck and back injury. He had to medically retire back in 2010. Since then, he has found his renewed passion in music working with Guitars for Vets. This group is dedicated to promoting healing from PTSD among vets through the power of music.

Performance with band members from guitars 4 vets.

I have known this man for more than half of my life. I often refer to him as my brother from another mother. He has been there for so many important milestones in my life, and I can't imagine life without him. He introduced me to the man I call my husband and stood by our sides when we got married. I don't even know how to put all my emotions and thoughts into words.

He is 48 years young, and I feel like his and my sister's future shouldn't be so uncertain. I know these times are difficult for everyone, especially during the holidays, but I hope you can find it in your heart to help.