Family Faces Cancer with Baby on the Way
Welcome to our page! We are Ben and Kim, both are dedicated public servants on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Ben is a police officer and Kim is an elementary school, special education, teacher. We have a four year old daughter, Emma, and a second baby, Theodore, due on Christmas Day, 2019. We're the Berry's!
On November 23, 2019, Ben went to a local immediate care clinic for abdominal pain. A few tests later revealed that Ben had an advanced stage of Testicular Cancer. It has metathesized to his abdomen and lungs.
On November 26, Ben underwent surgery and had the offending testicle removed. Ben is scheduled to undergo a rigorous, 9 week chemotherapy treatment plan to cure an abdominal mass and two nodes in his lungs. The need for follow on surgery has yet to be determined. Unfortunately, the treatment cycles work out where there will be extended periods of separation between Ben, and Kim, Emma, and baby Teddy.
While Kim is out of work on maternity leave, December 2019 through March, 2020, she will not be collecting an income - Kim's maternity leave is unpaid. Ben will be using "Sick time" from work to cover his absence while undergoing cancer treatment.
During the first quarter of 2020, medical bills and other care/treatment expenditures will need to be paid atop our pre-existing, regular bills. With only one income (a police salary not supplemented by any overtime or additional pay whatsoever) we will have to find a way to make ends meet.
We ask that your bestow the blessing of financial assistance upon us this holiday season as we tackle the challenges of birthing and parenting a newborn and at the same time deal with this cancerous wild card. We will be facing these challenges on a single income.
Thus far, family and dear friends have volunteered themselves to drive us to various doctor appointments, prepare meals, and conduct light housework. We are truly blessed for those wonderful people in our lives, and for all those who have and will continue to pray for us.
The home-front is being maintained - it is the financial burden that inspires our call for help.
Thank you for your prayers, kind thoughts, and wishes. Thank you for your charity as we embark upon this winding, uncertain stretch along life's road.
Be well, take care, and have a blessed Holiday Season.
The Berry's
