As many of you know, my brother Tom has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It is not caused by anything he has done or could have prevented, simply genetics or even acid reflux, possibly from what the physicians have told us. He is unable to work through his treatment and his medical bills are beginning to pour in. He has completed chemo and radiation, but that's only half of his journey. He will also be having a full esophagectomy, which is where they will remove his esophagus and most likely stretch his stomach to compensate for that loss. That healing process will take several months along with therapy to learn how to eat, etc. 

Anyone who has experienced a loved one go through a cancer diagnosis and treatment knows how expensive chemo, radiation, surgery, tests, and therapy, etc. can be.  It is for this reason I am reaching out to friends and family for support.

For those of you who knew my brother when he was 13, you know we lost our mother to cancer when she was just 39. Tom is 40 and this has been very hard for him to cope with their ages being so close. He hasn't said it out loud, but I know everyday he wishes that she was here with him.

My father and step-mother have been caring for him, cooking for him, and taking him to treatments. I know he's very grateful for their care and home during this time. 

Tom has an infectious laugh and one of the BIGGEST hearts I know. He is always buying meals and gifts for friends, family and employees. He is always helping people in need and willing to lend a helping hand. He loves being able to make someone smile or find them a good deal on tickets or collectibles. He loves bourbon and watches and will talk to anyone about this passion. These topics have created many bonds with his physicians and nursing staff along this journey.

My brother was not open to me creating this page at first, he does not like needing help and finds it uncomfortable to ask for it, but this is me, his big sister, who would give him the world with all the bourbon and watches he could have if I could, asking for help. But, what he needs most right now is some donations from friends, family and simply good people who want to help because I've been watching him stress over money and bills every time a new one shows up in the mailbox.

I keep telling him he has only one job right now and that's not to worry about money, but to work on himself each day, to stay positive, to eat and drink nutritiously and to be the best patient he can be. 

It's because of his incredible physicians, nurses and loved ones that he's been able to get through each day. Medically he's receiving good reports. He's rung the bell completing his chemo and radiation. For the next 5 weeks he waits until they run another PET scan to determine if any metastization occurred. They will then determine if he's a candidate for surgery and proceed with that process. 

I am hoping by creating this page now that it will get his mind off the pain he's experiencing and growing number of bills. Any donation small or big would be much appreciated as I know it would bring him some much needed peace of mind. 

I would like to "THANK" anyone and everyone who has taken the time to read this and those who will graciously make a donation to my brother to help him with his medical bills. It's times like these when we need our village to come together and remind us to keep hope and faith and to help carry us when we need it. 

I wish health and happiness for you and your families,

Michelle