Please Help Support Brian's Journey to Health and Recovery

On October 21, our son Brian received the most devastating, life-altering news he’s ever received. In September, after noticing large amounts of blood in the toilet after using the bathroom, he knew he needed to address the situation and scheduled a colonoscopy. Upon completion, Brian was diagnosed with Severe Ulcerative Colitis (a lifelong autoimmune disease) and was immediately admitted to the ER. Brian was extremely weak and was losing a huge amount of blood every time he went to the bathroom, approximately 25-30 times a day. At this time the doctors were considering a life saving surgery to remove Brian’s entire large intestines due to the fact that he wasn’t responding to the steroid treatments and he hadn’t been able to eat for several weeks. Over the course of 5 weeks, Brian lost a total of 46 lbs, his weight dropping to 129 lbs. By the grace of God, Brian turned a corner and started to respond to the steroid therapy and immunosuppressant infusion he received, which started to show promising results.

After a month in the hospital, the last 10 days showing continual symptom improvement, Brian was discharged home. We are so grateful Brian is home and healing, but the reality is that Ulcerative Colitis comes with challenges. On top of the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial strain that this has already caused our family, the doctors say it is going to take a minimum of 4 months for Brian’s colon to completely heal.

Over the last 4 years, Brian has invested so much to change careers to something he absolutely loves doing. He has been working as a pilot for a small charter company in Phoenix, AZ. Unfortunately, the FAA requires pilots to be medically cleared to perform their flight duties. Because of this, he had to step down from his position, thus losing his income.

Originally a native New Yorker from Riverhead now living in Phoenix, AZ, Brian is a very proud, independent person with a strong work ethic and would never ask anyone for financial help. He refused when we first asked him if I could start a fundraising campaign for him, but reality is setting in. Between his expensive restricted diet, therapies, supplements, medication infusions, and basic financial needs at home, all without an income, we know he cannot financially do this without help from generous friends and strangers.

We just want Brian to get back to a healthy mind, body, and soul so he can return to the job he loves, and doing normal day to day things like taking his dogs to the park, exercising, practicing yoga, and being able to enjoy his life again with his girlfriend Rachel, like before this debilitating disease flipped their world upside down.

We know that we are going into the holiday season, but as Brian's parents, we are asking you to help in any way possible. Whether that means just sharing the link throughout your community or donating anything you can. Please help Brian any way you can so that he can concentrate on healing and not have to worry if he will be able to live day to day while on this journey. Your support is so very much valued and appreciated!! We thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts

Sincerely,

Karen & Kevin Carrick