Hi, my name is Alexis, and I’m raising funds to help my dad through two life-changing medical emergencies that have turned our world upside down.

On September 19, 2025, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. We were still trying to process that news when, sometime between the night of October 19 and the morning of October 20, he suffered a major stroke caused by a burst blood clot in his brain. He was found the next morning after being on the ground for an estimated 8 to 12 hours. During that time, his loyal dog Zena never left his side and helped keep him alert until help arrived.

He’s currently being cared for at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is expected to move to a rehabilitation facility soon. He has a long road ahead, but he’s already making small, meaningful progress. His speech is improving, and he’s beginning to regain some movement in his leg.

Although his cancer is terminal, he’s fighting hard to spend the time he has left surrounded by the people and animals he loves most.

If you know my dad, you know he’s the kind of person who can’t sit still when someone needs help. He’s our handyman, always fixing something or building something beautiful. He even built me a brand new deck that I absolutely love. He can be a bit of a jackass sometimes, but underneath that tough exterior, he cares more than anyone I know. He’s strong, stubborn, and has one of the biggest hearts you’ll ever find. And when it comes to animals, especially Zena, he’s a total softie.

I’m my dad’s Power of Attorney, and my girlfriend and I have temporarily moved into his home, which is about an hour from ours, to manage his care, his house, and his pets. Between us and my brother Jeffery, we’ve been taking shifts at the hospital, often 12 hours or longer, the longest stretch being 50 consecutive hours, so he’s never alone.

Both my girlfriend and I had to leave our jobs to care for him full-time and handle everything at home. In the last several days, we’ve driven over 1,000 miles, spent hundreds on gas and food, and are running on very little sleep. We’re also preparing to move out of our own home, which means renting a U-Haul and hiring help for cleaning and moving, since all of our time is being spent at the hospital or caring for the animals. Right now we’re juggling seven dogs and two cats between both households.

My dad is deeply loved. Our goal now is to make sure my dad’s remaining time is as peaceful and comfortable as possible — without the stress of medical bills or financial worry.

Your donations will go toward:

• Gas and travel costs for hospital and rehab visits

• Food and basic living expenses while we’re away from home

• Moving and cleanup costs

• Medical and rehab expenses not covered by insurance

• Supplies and safety equipment for when he returns home

• Rennuci House

Even if you can’t donate, sharing this page or sending kind words means so much. Every bit of support makes a difference.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, generosity, and prayers during this unimaginable time.

With love and gratitude,

Alexis