In September of 2024, Chris checked in to Riddle Hospital after he developed problems going to the bathroom. In the ER he was initially told he was suffering from kidney failure, but after several X-rays and scans, the news was far worse - Chris had a tumor, which was more than likely cancer, that was causing the problem. Several tests and biopsies later, the worst was confirmed - my Monk had metastatic (stage 4) cancer in both his colon and lungs. A subsequent meeting with an oncologist confirmed that not only was the cancer incurable, but that he had about three years to live.

Chris started on a regimen of radiation and chemotherapy almost immediately, but doing so posed two problems. First, the intense schedule of these treatments, and the discomfort and nausea that followed them, made it impossible for him to work, so he lost his job. Second, as anyone who has dealt with American healthcare costs knows backwards and forwards, these treatments were going to be incredibly expensive, and, even with insurance, were going to push us right up to the limit of our out-of-pocket in-network and out-of-network expenses for both 2024 and 2025. As a result, Chris and I are going to wind up owing more than $20,000 per year, and this despite being covered.

With our family income now reduced by half, and with the bills coming in for these large expenses on a daily basis, we're are now in the unfortunate position of needing your help.

Whatever you can donate or contribute to enable us to meet our expenses would be greatly appreciated.