Support for Alicia and Kids- In Memory of Michael

I’ve tried many times to begin this message, and words fall flat each time. I don’t know how to speak this into reality. Those of you who know me, know that I am no stranger to tragedy but that doesn’t make this any easier to say. I feel really vulnerable in this one.

Tragically, on December 15th at 11:11am, my beloved partner and co-parent Michael passed away from Lung Cancer.

Michael’s Journey with Cancer

In November of 2020, Michael was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. We had been successfully holding it at bay for 3 years using a combination of conventional and alternative treatments. As of 4 weeks ago, Michael was doing well overall. He was active, able to participate in most of the usual family happenings and ongoings in our busy household. He was undergoing radiation treatment for surface metastases of his cancer, but according to recent scans, there was no evidence of cancer in his internal organs, which was great news.

That changed very rapidly 3 weeks ago. Michael began having severe pain in his side. We took him to the ER the day after Thanksgiving. Doctors originally thought that it was kidney stones, then a stricture (narrowing) of the kidney ureter, then onward to blockage in the small and large intestines. At this point, they performed emergency surgery to figure out what was going on. It turns out that his cancer was silently spreading throughout his muscle tissues and eventually into his abdomen where it begun to wreak quiet havoc. He survived the abdominal surgery, with the hope that his guts would resume functioning again and we could either bring him home to recover and spend time with our family, or possibly even become strong enough to begin a different type of cancer treatment in the near future.

However, none of that would come to pass. Michael’s guts never resumed normal functioning and his body began to shut down over the next two weeks. His cancer had the final say. He was surrounded by loved ones in his last days. It was painful for him to endure, but we are grateful that he didn’t suffer any longer than he did. His passing at 11:11am gives us a potent daily reminder of his hilarious, lighthearted, loving presence. It was his favorite time of the day, and he was always pointing it out.

Our Family Needs your Support

Our family is devastated by his loss. He has left an irrevocable tear in the fabric of our family. We have all expressed feeling like we are living in a dreamland where any moment he is going to come bouncing around the corner in his classy bear-footed slippers and lively, joyful saunter. This loss is going to take a long time to recover from emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Our family needs your help. I’m now the mom/step-mom to three kids, Chiron, Eli and Kai (who now goes by Rin), who are depending on me for their care and wellbeing.

On top of many medical expenses, funeral expenses, and general expenses in caring for three teenagers, Michael and I ran our business and made our income together as well. This is going to require that I completely change career directions on top of everything else that a death like this requires. Until I find new work, we are without income.

For those of you who desire to help us but aren’t sure how to do so, friends have started both a GoFundMe to help our family bridge this grieving time financially and to pay for needed medical and living expenses. Also a Care Calendar with Lotsa Helping Hands to help with meals and daily tasks for our family which will be updated with family needs as they arise.

Thank you for your support during this time. We are ever grateful to be surrounded by loving community. We welcome you to reach out in support at this time via text, phone, or email and also, please know that it is not personal if we don’t get back to you right away. Everything is taking its own sweet time at the moment.

We love you Michael and will miss you forever and always!

Link to LotsaHelpingHands (Meals and Family Support): https://my.lotsahelpinghands.com/community/in-memory-of-michael-briola