Help Joe Bruno Fight His Fight!
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Every person reading this likely knows something of my Uncle Joe's story and his seemingly endless battle with colorectal cancer. You probably also know that my Uncle Joe is one of the most kind, caring, and generous people on this Earth. You also know that Uncle Joe can turn any situation into a good one. You know he makes everyone laugh, makes every occasion more fun, and always makes everything better. He has become an "uncle" to countless people. You all know he would do anything for any of them and he loves and prides his family more than anything else in the world.
What you probably don't know is that cancer has taken so much from him; his pride, his dignity, his freedom, his peace of mind. All without warning and all within the blink of an eye. You probably don't know the true agony that accompanies every step of this fight. You probably don't know the pain and loneliness lurking behind every moment. You probably don't know this because my Uncle Joe won't let you see it. He suffers with a smile. Because that's who he is. He is someone who is here to make the world brighter; to make us smile a little bigger and laugh a little louder.
In October 2017, Uncle Joe went in for a routine colonoscopy. He had NO symptoms. He was immediately diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer and began treatment. He underwent his first surgery in January 2018 just a couple months after his diagnosis. He continued treatment after his surgery until July 2018. We celebrated what we thought to be the end of a grueling but short battle.
The celebration was short lived. Our hearts were broken and his life was turned upside down yet again in October 2019 when the cancer came back. This time he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. One of his worst nightmares came true when he had to give up more of his dignity and his freedom for a colostomy in December 2019, mere months after his second diagnosis. A surgery a month later in January 2020, left him with an infected open wound for 6 months. During this time, he went septic and spent countless nights alone in the hospital fighting for his life with no one by his side except his heroic nurses due to COVID regulations.
In October 2020, we found out that the cancer was not stopping. The doctors had to remove his colon and rectum. As of last month, April 2021, we found out the treatment is still not working. The cancer has taken over, spreading to his bones, his spine, and his lungs.
Again, you probably didn't know this. Why? Because my Uncle Joe possesses a strength that we only see depicted in movies. He has the will power and faith to keep going despite these battles. He AMAZED everyone when he continued to wake up and go to work every single day and kept doing his job. He was in agonizing pain physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. But you never knew it because his strength is unmatched. Cancer WILL NOT take away his spirit. And we will not let it take any more from him than it already has.
Unfortunately, his fight is far from over. He has extinguished all his options and will need to seek care elsewhere to continue fighting his battle. Insurance will not cover these options. We need help to pay for his medical care, a new chemo regiment, new specialists, and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. We are desperate and we are seeking the support of all our loved ones because, in this family, no one fights alone.
COVID prevents us from gathering for a benefit and showing you our love and appreciation in person, but we hope you realize this is truly our last resort. We know these are tough times for everyone so if you are not in a position to offer monetary support, then please share this link and spread the word for us.
We thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for fighting this fight with Uncle Joe. God works in mysterious ways, but we hold tight to our faith that everything happens for a reason. We know Uncle Joe can win this fight and we know God put certain people in his life to help him win it. I want you to know that every little bit counts in saving his life.
What you probably don't know is that cancer has taken so much from him; his pride, his dignity, his freedom, his peace of mind. All without warning and all within the blink of an eye. You probably don't know the true agony that accompanies every step of this fight. You probably don't know the pain and loneliness lurking behind every moment. You probably don't know this because my Uncle Joe won't let you see it. He suffers with a smile. Because that's who he is. He is someone who is here to make the world brighter; to make us smile a little bigger and laugh a little louder.
In October 2017, Uncle Joe went in for a routine colonoscopy. He had NO symptoms. He was immediately diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer and began treatment. He underwent his first surgery in January 2018 just a couple months after his diagnosis. He continued treatment after his surgery until July 2018. We celebrated what we thought to be the end of a grueling but short battle.
The celebration was short lived. Our hearts were broken and his life was turned upside down yet again in October 2019 when the cancer came back. This time he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. One of his worst nightmares came true when he had to give up more of his dignity and his freedom for a colostomy in December 2019, mere months after his second diagnosis. A surgery a month later in January 2020, left him with an infected open wound for 6 months. During this time, he went septic and spent countless nights alone in the hospital fighting for his life with no one by his side except his heroic nurses due to COVID regulations.
In October 2020, we found out that the cancer was not stopping. The doctors had to remove his colon and rectum. As of last month, April 2021, we found out the treatment is still not working. The cancer has taken over, spreading to his bones, his spine, and his lungs.
Again, you probably didn't know this. Why? Because my Uncle Joe possesses a strength that we only see depicted in movies. He has the will power and faith to keep going despite these battles. He AMAZED everyone when he continued to wake up and go to work every single day and kept doing his job. He was in agonizing pain physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. But you never knew it because his strength is unmatched. Cancer WILL NOT take away his spirit. And we will not let it take any more from him than it already has.
Unfortunately, his fight is far from over. He has extinguished all his options and will need to seek care elsewhere to continue fighting his battle. Insurance will not cover these options. We need help to pay for his medical care, a new chemo regiment, new specialists, and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. We are desperate and we are seeking the support of all our loved ones because, in this family, no one fights alone.
COVID prevents us from gathering for a benefit and showing you our love and appreciation in person, but we hope you realize this is truly our last resort. We know these are tough times for everyone so if you are not in a position to offer monetary support, then please share this link and spread the word for us.
We thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for fighting this fight with Uncle Joe. God works in mysterious ways, but we hold tight to our faith that everything happens for a reason. We know Uncle Joe can win this fight and we know God put certain people in his life to help him win it. I want you to know that every little bit counts in saving his life.
Organisateur et bénéficiaire
Jennifer Lyn
Organisateur
Palos Heights, IL
Joseph Bruno
Bénéficiaire