My beautiful bride Jolene
Donation protected
I watched a classmate of mine since 3rd grade go through it. I've watched a very close neighbor of ours daughter in law pass away from it, leaving behind children and a husband. I lost my own mother to it almost two years ago.
My wife and I just watched a movie called, "I Still Believe". It's a movie about a very popular Christian music artist who's wife passes away at a very young age of 21, we both cried our eyes out, ok...mostly me. We both held each other after the movie and talked about what we would feel like if we lost each other to something terrible. Its funny how when you watch and see others go through it, and even sometimes loose the battle, you never truly think that anything bad could ever happen to you.
This all changed for Jolene and I, my beautiful bride of only 9 years, mother of our three preciouses gifts from God, on July 2nd of 2020. It was a Thursday afternoon, such a beautiful day outside. If you've ever waited for a doctor to come in and see you in that tiny little room, then you know what I'm talking about.
The doctor finally came in, and there was something about her demeanor, and the look on her face. I just new it wasn't good. She sat down, and began to tell us that Jolene has breast cancer. There is this little chart in the doctors office that demonstrates what the different sized lumps look like. She pointed at the biggest one on the chart and said that it was twice that size. 6 to 7 cm in diameter. I'm pretty sure we both went completely numb at that point. We just listened to what the doctor had to say. I saw her mouth move, but I couldn't hear her...or maybe I just didn't want to. I was flooded with emotions. To be honest, my mind went to some pretty dark places right away. As a 20 year Retired Navy Veteran, you are trained to expect the worst, and here it is. Its not a movie, its not a friend of a friend, or a neighbor. Its My beautiful bride.
Jolene and I were already experiencing a great deal of stress due to all the COVID-19 stuff going on, not to mention all the civil unrest that's happening right now in our country. We quickly found out that when it rains, it pours.
So the road ahead is not fully known just yet. We are all still learning about Jolene's breast cancer and possible treatments associated with such a diagnosis. Jolene is scheduled for her mastectomy on Wednesday the 29th of July 2020 at 9am. We are both really frightened for what the future may bring, but our faith in God has gotten us through so far. We are also at ease knowing that God is in control and not us. This next chapter in our marriage is still very new and there are a lot of unknowns right now but I can't think of anyone I would ever want to go through this with other than my beautiful bride Jolene.
I'm not a person that tends to ask for help, and Jolene and I never thought we would be here right now. I have always donated to GoFundMe whenever one came around or was shared with me. I just never imagined our family needing the same kind of help. I'm not sure just how much time I will need to take off work to help care for Jolene but I only have so many sick days and vacation days and those are almost gone now and Jolene hasn't even had he surgery yet. So our family is so graciously asking for help with needed medical expenses now, and soon to be future. Bills haven't showed up yet, but they will soon be coming in and I want to be able to support and take care of Jolene. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and we would feel so blessed just to be able to get the word out, and receive some encouraging words.
Thank You and God bless you all
Gerald and Jolene
Josette, Jude, and James
My wife and I just watched a movie called, "I Still Believe". It's a movie about a very popular Christian music artist who's wife passes away at a very young age of 21, we both cried our eyes out, ok...mostly me. We both held each other after the movie and talked about what we would feel like if we lost each other to something terrible. Its funny how when you watch and see others go through it, and even sometimes loose the battle, you never truly think that anything bad could ever happen to you.
This all changed for Jolene and I, my beautiful bride of only 9 years, mother of our three preciouses gifts from God, on July 2nd of 2020. It was a Thursday afternoon, such a beautiful day outside. If you've ever waited for a doctor to come in and see you in that tiny little room, then you know what I'm talking about.
The doctor finally came in, and there was something about her demeanor, and the look on her face. I just new it wasn't good. She sat down, and began to tell us that Jolene has breast cancer. There is this little chart in the doctors office that demonstrates what the different sized lumps look like. She pointed at the biggest one on the chart and said that it was twice that size. 6 to 7 cm in diameter. I'm pretty sure we both went completely numb at that point. We just listened to what the doctor had to say. I saw her mouth move, but I couldn't hear her...or maybe I just didn't want to. I was flooded with emotions. To be honest, my mind went to some pretty dark places right away. As a 20 year Retired Navy Veteran, you are trained to expect the worst, and here it is. Its not a movie, its not a friend of a friend, or a neighbor. Its My beautiful bride.
Jolene and I were already experiencing a great deal of stress due to all the COVID-19 stuff going on, not to mention all the civil unrest that's happening right now in our country. We quickly found out that when it rains, it pours.
So the road ahead is not fully known just yet. We are all still learning about Jolene's breast cancer and possible treatments associated with such a diagnosis. Jolene is scheduled for her mastectomy on Wednesday the 29th of July 2020 at 9am. We are both really frightened for what the future may bring, but our faith in God has gotten us through so far. We are also at ease knowing that God is in control and not us. This next chapter in our marriage is still very new and there are a lot of unknowns right now but I can't think of anyone I would ever want to go through this with other than my beautiful bride Jolene.
I'm not a person that tends to ask for help, and Jolene and I never thought we would be here right now. I have always donated to GoFundMe whenever one came around or was shared with me. I just never imagined our family needing the same kind of help. I'm not sure just how much time I will need to take off work to help care for Jolene but I only have so many sick days and vacation days and those are almost gone now and Jolene hasn't even had he surgery yet. So our family is so graciously asking for help with needed medical expenses now, and soon to be future. Bills haven't showed up yet, but they will soon be coming in and I want to be able to support and take care of Jolene. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and we would feel so blessed just to be able to get the word out, and receive some encouraging words.
Thank You and God bless you all
Gerald and Jolene
Josette, Jude, and James
Organizer
Gerald Felber
Organizer
Bellevue, NE