Support for the Alloway Family

Cody and Colleen Alloway married in August of 2023, excited to build their life together. But in May of 2024 their world was turned upside down. First, Cody began to struggle keeping food down, nausea stomach pain, and weight loss which led to ultimately leaving work for short term disability in October. In the array of that, he managed to drop to nearly 100 pounds and he went through several tests, hospital visits, a hospitalization, and finally his tests showed he suffers from severe gastroparesis, a rare digestive disorder, and even more rare in men. He finally has been in to see nationally-renowned physician specializing in his illness in January. Yet, they are still trying to determine the cause and the extent of damage that has been done. He will be receiving a feeding tube and seeing a nutritionist but treatment options are limited. Meanwhile, Colleen left her full time job in September to help with caregiving for her husband and the two children of the family. To still bring income to their family, she relaunched her esthetics business in October of 2024. Her struggles with her own mental health have taken a toll over the last year, but she is persistent in her efforts and doing the best she can for her family.

Through it all, they have poured into their children, Lily and Hudson. The two kids have several of their own medical needs including but not limited to therapy and counseling related to mental health and Lily’s recent diagnosis of Autism. As a family, they been active in the community and fostering dogs. Family and friends have rallied around them, offering support in every way possible, but the financial strain continues to grow.

Despite having private insurance, they do not qualify for most government assistance due to all their hard work and financial gains last year, making it even harder to keep up with mounting medical expenses and daily needs.

Ways You Can Help:

• Financial Contributions – Donations will go directly toward medical bills, daily expenses, and essential care.

• Gift Cards – Grocery or gas gift cards can ease their daily burdens.

• Other Support – Cody has been repurposing old clothes out of their wardrobe or through donations. He sews handmade patches and hand embroiders details on them. Colleen has been working diligently in her business, Charmed Aura Esthetics. She would love if you booked an appointment or purchased a gift card for a loved one. (www.colleenalloway.glossgenius.com)

Any help, big or small, makes a difference.

Your generosity and prayers mean the world to me and this family. Thank you for standing with them in this difficult season.

From Amanda:

Colleen is my sister and she is a treasure to me as I know she is to many. We loved Cody and Hudson the moment we met them and of course Lily is the best niece in the entire world. They have worked so hard through this and only finally after me asking many times have let me start this gofundme for them! Please help in any way you can.

From Brenda (Colleen’s mom):

Cody has been a great son in law who is dedicated to his family. He is such a hard worker and it’s been hard to not be his active self. This family could really use your support. It would be very appreciated.

Thank you!

Amanda Erdman and

Brenda Breyman

Latest Update

February 20, 2025

Thank you all for your love and support! Cody and Colleen have been blessed with such wonderful friends and family. They have received several gifts beyond this gofundme as well and we can’t thank you enough.

Here is the latest update:

Cody had his feeding tube placed last Thursday the 13th. At the time, we met with the EN department at Cleveland Clinic. The care he received from his physician in this department was fantastic. She did suggest some of his abdominal pain may be nerve related so we discussed with Dr Clines gastroparesis clinic and Cody starts gabapentin to try to mitigate pain today.

the dietician did a physical exam which resulted in him moving from mildly malnourished to severely malnourished. She coached us on how to use the feeding tube supplies and pump. She was fantastic, she worked with developing the ideal amount of supplemental nutrition needed right now.

The APRN who placed the tube was also great. She was kind and helpful, but the placing of the feeding tube was horrendous. It involved a lot of gagging and wretching.

So, that was all fine and we should have gotten supplies on Thursday night or Friday morning. We didn’t get supplies until Monday night at 9 - which resulted in a very upset doctors office at the pharmacy. His first feed was Tuesday, which resulted in some discomfort, and he continued to flush every three hours as directed. Come Wednesday morning, he wasn’t able to flush his feeding tube. As directed by the dietician, we went to the emergency room in Cleveland for the clogged tube and extra pain. So we were there all day, which showed us a kinked tube. the tube placed on Thursday had to be removed, and the EN clinics outpatient and inpatient teams worked together to get a new one placed.

Now, we have to try and manage the pain and see if he can tolerate a clear liquid diet before beginning his formula again.

It’s been a rough couple of weeks.

Lily on the other hand receives an award for her reading skills next week! She has been a pleasure to be with, she experienced her first sleepover, and had a fantastic Valentine’s Day weekend.

Colleen’s business did great in the month of February, so she is super thankful to all of her clients new and old. She introduced a new service, classic lash extensions, and began offering new add ons to existing services.