Hello everyone!

I'm sure everyone reading this would agree with me that these last two years have been difficult!

While I, like everybody else, could write a country song about the list of things I'm dealing with that I find unfortunate - I know that all my issues pale in comparison to the experience the woman in this picture is having.

That woman is my Mom...

And for the last few months my Mom has been fighting Peretonial Cancer.

Knowing someone that means so much to you and your family has cancer is like something I've never experienced.

At first, I guess I thought of it somewhat like a routine surgery - they'd cut it out and she'd be fine.

The day of her surgery, I saw how much weight she'd lost and got somewhat concerned, but felt more at ease after the doctors said they thought they got it all.

But after weeks of her being at home healing, I found myself taking her back to the hospital - looking and sounding like she was a day or two away from crossing over.

As I write this she's still in the hospital, doing a little better due to the most pressing issues being that she hadn't been able to eat or drink for almost a week - but coming to terms with the reality that the only chance she has to make it beyond Christmas is undergoing chemotherapy.

As difficult as that is, I'd describe her current battle as something of a cruel exclamation mark on a life that's had more than it's fair-share of lows.

My parents can't afford for my mom to have cancer.

My mom, thankfully, just got denied by her job to go back to work - a decision she made due to the fact that what she's getting from her temporary disability and Dad's social security isn't enough to even keep them afloat.

It wouldn't be a surprise to hear their car broke down on any one of her frequent doctor visits, so myself or other family arrange our work schedules so we can take her as often as possible.

Dad's been spending all his time taking care of Mom, so the household repairs are getting out of hand as quickly as the past-due notices.

Her last co-pay she had to split over two credit cards - and she hasn't even gotten the real bills yet.

It's hard for them to have hope when everything and everybody feels so hopeless.

So not only am I on here asking random strangers to help me pay her bills, what I'm really asking those same strangers for is something I learned when we had my daughter - there's still so many good people who care, and still so much left to hope and fight for.

I feel like getting the weight of her debt off her shoulders and being reminded of all that's good in the world will be all that she needs to kick cancer's butt and be strong and thriving for not only this Christmas - but many more to come.

And finally, I thank all of you who made it this far and are considering donating or even offering encouragement.

It means more than I could ever describe.

I think it's important to note that I had a very hard time opening my mouth to even ask my Mom if I could set this up for her; this is a woman who has scarcely missed a day of taking the bus across town to work - despite the wind, rain, snow, illness....or even cancer.

Shes one tough, proud, stubborn woman - and even knowing she needs help, she'd never ask for it.

And rest assured I wish I had the resources to take care of her myself, unfortunately I don't - but any and every bit I raise from this will go directly toward her bills and medical expenses, with the hope that with what little bit she's bringing in on her own can be used to bring her a little joy in life while she's fighting for it.

Thank you all again.

Brian