To our Families, Friends and Community:

Hi, my name is Tracee and I've been my husband Bruce's primary caregiver for the last 19 years. Bruce has been through so many medical issues in the last 19 years and it still amazes me that through it all he has maintained an amazing demeanor and his sense of humour.

About Bruce:

Bruce is a senior in his 70’s and was born and raised in Ontario to wonderful and adoring parents. He has a wonderful sense of humour, is very knowledgeable about cars, music, classic movies and all different sorts of trivia. He used to win contests weekly on an Ontario music radio station. He loved riding his motorcycle and did charitable rides for Children’s Charities and other Charities such as the Food Bank, Heart & Stroke and Adopt a Senior. As well, he loved to golf (he had an exceptional handicap) with friends and clients. He enjoyed work and working with his clients who were very fond of him and he enjoyed travelling to Europe for conferences with his employer. We moved to Vancouver Island from Alberta in 2016 so Bruce could have a better life and outings to see the outdoors and wildlife.

Bruce’s Medical Situation:

In 2006, Bruce had surgery to remove 2 masses inside his right kidney, one the size of a football. The surgery was extensive and took 7.5 hours and required 4 surgeons to complete. Following surgery, it was discovered that the epidural did extensive nerve damage to Bruce’s spine and he did not walk out of the hospital and is handicapped and has major mobility and medical issues now.

In 2020, Bruce’s legs were swelling and weeping and in 2021 he was diagnosed by a Dermatologist with Lymphedema and Exudative Stasis Dermatitis (weeping legs) due to impairment of the Lymphatic system, as well as foot ulcers, and an Endocrinologist diagnosed him with Type 2 Diabetes. These conditions are all associated with a lack of mobility. ***Note: Lymphedema is an incurable condition and if not treated properly can lead to more severe health conditions and/or death.

Bruce required daily care for the Stasis Dermatitis (weeping legs) and our Public Health Authority provided free care for the weeping legs for 8 months. Unfortunately, the Public Health Authority did not have qualified staff during COVID (or even now) to deal with the required compression or wound care for the legs and foot ulcers and they requested he lay down in a bed to put on wraps for the weeping legs to help their nurses. I told them that he hadn’t slept in a bed since the surgery and couldn’t do that. We tried to work with the Public Health Authority to find a solution but after 8 months (October 2021) they said they would no longer provide us service. As a result of this, I had to provide Bruce the daily care he needed until I was able to find a Private Nursing team that had the experience and knowledge with Lymphedema, and was willing to take a complex case that would require proper compression and wound care.

In March 2022, I was finally able to find a company in “Private Health Care” who has the knowledge, qualifications and experience with wound care and Lymphedema (they advised us that the Lymphedema was at Stage 4). The “Private Health Care” company recommended a proper treatment plan of compression and wound care which is costly. Our choices: pay for Private Health Care or Bruce would die.

Fast forward to September 2025…………….. I, as Bruce’s primary caregiver, fell at home and fractured (broke) my femur. The surgeon advised that it was a severe fracture and required multiple pins/screws to repair the full length of my thigh and he advised it could take up to 2 years to heal with physio.

As a result of my fall and hospital stay for almost 12 weeks, Bruce required in home Private Care Aides for 22 hours/day to replace me, along with his nursing for the daily compression and wound care for the Lymphedema. As a primary caregiver and housewife, I was doing everything in our home and much, much more.

Bruce’s Medical Costs (Private Care):

• From March 2022 – to September 14, 2025:

We have spent over $135,000.00 in 4 ½ years for Bruce’s daily Private Nursing team to control the Stage 4 Lymphedema with compression, wound care and supplies.

• From September 15 – December 31, 2025:

We have spent over $122,000.00 for Bruce’s daily 22 hour Private Care Aides as well as, the RN’s for the Stage 4 Lymphedema compression, wound care and supplies while I was in hospital.

Medical Costs Summary:

• After spending over $257,000.00 in total to date, we have very little savings left for day-to-day expenses and his medical care.

We have always given to charities but now we are asking for your help and support financially for the $122,000.00 medical care debt for Bruce while I was in the hospital so we do not have to sell our home and cause a great amount of stress for Bruce.

We want to thank you for reading our story and hope you will find it in your heart to donate to Help Bruce - my Husband and Best Friend for his specific medical care.