
Ouch! My cancer!
Donation protected

Hi, most of you know me already but for those who don't, I'm Amber. Kurt and I have been together for eleven years. Married for nine years this coming September. We just found out that Kurt has colon cancer, and that it has likely spread to his liver.
We're a family of four and we're mixed like a good soup. I lost my job this past week and Kurt is on FMLA. Since Kurt got his diagnosis a month ago from a colonoscopy, I've been his primary care taker. His symptoms started over a year ago with abdominal pain. Like a lot of other people in his situation he felt he had to balance his health against things like work deadlines and available PTO.

But the pain never went away. He quit drinking soda, cut junk food and carbs. But as time passed he became more and more exhausted. Mentally and physically. The pain grew from "oh that's not comfortable" to "I have to go to the hospital."

Leaving the house has become an Olympic event for him. But he still went to our son's birthday party even though his best friend had to walk him to the car at the end because he was so dizzy and nauseous. He went to Easter because he knew the family would enjoy his company, even though he couldn't stand long enough to watch the egg hunt or have enough appetite to enjoy the meal. The effort of these things wrecks him for at least a day after. But he still wants to live and be an active participant in life. He doesn't want to just let life happen to him.

We've struggled with insurance and financial assistance through other channels, but we're coming down to the wire and surgery hasn't even been scheduled yet. Kurt's cancer doesn't stop the boys from growing and needing shoes. It doesn't stop car payments or utilities. And those are everyday bills, not even the medical costs.
We have good doctors and a care team we're happy with. But we're still at the beginning. All our other options have either been exhausted or will likely be.
My family and I are asking you to be as generous as your situation allows. Anything would help us keep our family financially protected from what is surely going to be a marathon rather than a sprint.
We will be starting treatment soon, so any funds donated will first go to treatment. Then help with household bills.
Thank you
Fundraising team (2)

Amber Joseph
Organizer
Mascoutah, IL
Kurt Joseph
Team member