Post Cancer and Layoff Recovery Fund.

I would like to preface this by saying I don't ever ask anyone for anything. I don't ask for help, I don't ask for charity, and I have always tried to be there and help others. I've never been in a position to need it, but now I am- and more than ever. Even if you can't (or don't even want to) donate, I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read this.

My name is Patrick. I'm a devoted husband, and fight tooth and nail to be the best parent to my 3 kids that I can- and this is a summary of the past 2 years of my life...

In January 2022, I was finding myself feeling nauseous and exhausted most every day. I went to my Primary Care Doctor who (after a full physical and blood panel) determined I had a Vitamin D deficiency from the "Work From Home" phase of COVID and not enough sunlight.

A week later I woke in so much pain, I went to the ER. By the time I got there, I couldn't sit, stand, or walk. After a CT scan, they found a grapefruit-sized mass on my left kidney. I was referred to a Urologist/Oncologist where I was diagnosed with Stage 3 (ChRCC) Kidney Cancer. They took the whole left kidney and was told healing would take longer than a "run of the mill" surgery because my liver showed damage of unknown reasons (I'm not a drinker.)

A few weeks later while on Short Term Disability, my employer gave me an ultimatum to return to in-office work before my Doctor cleared me to even drive, and I did it because taking care of my family is my #1 priority. I pushed through ripped sutures, dizziness, and exhaustion to do my job and earn my keep- slowly getting better with time.

Almost a year later, I was given a clean bill of health, and liver function was approaching normal, I sent an email to my employer, telling them the good news, and was ready to take on any extra assignments needed, (after hours, weekends, holidays, whatever.) Instead, I got a 24-hour layoff notice.

I gave myself 1 hour to be upset about it, got it out on the drive home, and talked with the wife. We planned we prayed, and we got busy with the job search. Every day, I was submitting a VERY strong resume to EVERY opportunity I could find, where I knew I could perform the duties and do them well.

3 months, 272 applications/submissions later, while struggling with the $7.75 NC Unemployment Insurance rate, I've liquidated anything I can viably sell, from electronics to the contents of my safe. I surrendered my classic car to the bank financing the balance, I made all financial arrangements to cancel "wants" and keep "needs."

Here's where we are now. My mortgage company has deferred my payments for 3 months. Not rolled them on to the end, just basically a "Promise not to foreclose" for 90 days, at the end of which, I can attempt to refinance, or accept foreclosure. My daily driver is just a simple 10-year-old truck with 165k miles, and it needs repairs to safely drive again. (Front suspension parts- Tie rod ends, ball joints, tires, and an alignment.) I'm 2 months behind on that.

The light at the end of the tunnel is, I started a new job that will cover all the basics. Mortgage, electricity, water, trash, and groceries. No toys, no subscriptions, just what we truly need.

My problem is, the payments for the "needs" (electric, mortgage, and our vehicle) are now due, as lump sums, and while I can manage the payments once current, I don't make enough to cover the arrears. We need help, and I feel shame in even asking.