Sometimes life completely smacks you in the mouth and you have no choice but to come out fighting or toss in the towel. My wife, Julie, my kids Brooke and Valerie and my extended family are no quitters, so it is time to fight.  We have God, prayer and one another as well as a massive friend base to draw on. I love you all for that so very much.

Today, August 1st, 2018, my beautiful wife Julie was diagnosed officially with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. It is invasive ductal breast cancer (triple negative) and considered highly aggressive but treatable.  It has spread at least partially to her lymph nodes nearby and they are testing her next week to ensure it has not spread beyond that. They feel good that it hasn't, but we shall see.

Julie and I have been together for 17 years or so and in that time, I have known her to think of herself only in the rarest of times. She is the most giving, sweet and caring person I have ever known. Her kids are a testament to that and are just like their mama.  We have no doubt that we can and will beat this. 

That said, the financial end of this is going to be massive. She has been set up for an MRI, CT scans, genetic testing, bone scans and a few other things and that is even before she begins chemo on the 10th of August. They are doing chemo first so that she can shrink the tumor in her breast and armpit and hopefully not have to take her breast. 

She is ready to lose her hair, and have a mastectomy if necessary.  They have guaranteed her that her hair will be gone so she is probably going to be proactive in dealing with that. I want to take her out and get whatever she needs to feel better about it. 

Then comes surgery after chemo, radiation after that and then hormone treatments and physical therapy to hopefully eradicate this horrible disease. 

All in all we are looking at a ton of medical expenses and side expenses. We have no insurance. Julie has been at her job for over 12 years at Chick Fil A and I have been working several jobs to make ends meet. This was far from expected. She is only 38 years old. Now it is here and I am going to do anything necessary to make sure she is given all that she needs to beat this. Part of that is reaching out.

I have had a number of friends and family and others suggest this fundraiser so that folks can help out if they wish. God knows we desperately need it. More now than ever before.  Julie is 38 years old and we have always depended on two incomes. I work two jobs but I am scared to death of the uncertainty of the weeks to come. I also have to be able to be there for her.

Every single dime we raise will go to Julie for medical, comfort, bills and direct expenses related to this tragedy. We are good, Christian folks and live clean, loving helpful lives. Nothing will be wasted.

As for the goal of this fundraiser, I simply picked an arbitrary number that I noticed on other breast cancer fundraisers. Right now, we are in shock and terrified, so I hope this is clear and covers what needs to be said. I love Julie more than life itself and wish I could take it from her. I would do so in a second. 

The other night I was praying and talking to God and I found myself begging Him to allow me to take on the cancer. I know He is not about sickness and that He would never do that, but I would. We all casually throw about the fact that we would "die for someone" or "put ourselves in another's place" and I believe that some would. Today and during that prayer, I know that I would. 

Since I can't take cancer away, I feel helpless. This is one way I pray I can take away at least her stress about bills, food, wigs, child care, medical and so on. The last thing she needs is money stress while dealing with this horrible thing. 

I want you each to know that nothing is taken for granted. Anything you can do, from prayers to donations to hugs is appreciated. Even a few bucks here and there will help us so very much. Julie and I have both spent our adult lives trying to give to others and we have received so much in return. The love we have received up to now is overwhelming and I wish I could reach out individually to all. 

Since I can't do that, I will update here regularly about what has happened, what we expect and where we are in the journey. Sometimes it might just be feelings and the like. We want to help others that might be going through it and knowing you are not alone is a huge part of that. 

Thank you all so very much, no matter whether you donate or not. We love you all.  Please take a moment and share this with your friends and family. It can make a huge difference.