"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” — J.R.R. Tolkien

A few years back, I didn't have much, and i was starting over . I hadnt yet found my great love and started a family like i had hoped. I'm a strong believer in love and being relentless when life's hard knocks come to our door. So I knew to trust God and believe that he had more blessings for me that I just wasn't ready for yet. But then it finally happened when i stopped looking for it, I met the love of my life. And she came with a beautiful son and an abundance of family, and they were all so close. They all came with so much love and they let me be a part of all that. Bunch of crazy loving people. I now had a home.

I come from a loving home and we have indeed experienced our share of grief and gratitude. Everyone experiences loss and heartache, and sometimes unimaginable trials. We all have a story.

In April, my wife found a lump in my right breast. I quickly dismissed it. I thought it had to be nothing, I was only 38. She made me make an appointment anyways. After 2 mammograms, an ultrasound and a biopsy, I got a call. By the end of May they confirmed it was breast cancer. When I got the news, all I could think, was damn...thats a bummer, It blindsided me because i really made myself believe it was nothing. And then I realized I'd have to tell my wife and my mom, and everyone. Cancer wasn't going to just change my life, but it would the lives of everyone who loved me. After more tests and doctors visits and making really hard surgical decisions, I finally had a surgery date, August 19th. Thats the day cancer took both of my breasts. Double mastectomy, lost 4 lymph nodes and preparation of reconstruction. But I'm here, the first part is done. Its very painful, as one could imagine. Not just physically painful but also mentally painful. I didn't ask for cancer, but it came anyways. I didn't want to have a full mastectomy but it was necessary. I didn't want my body dissected but it saved my life. So its a little hard to look in the mirror right now, but I'll get there. This journey will be a little long and painful. I wont be at work for some time. So my family wanted to start this gofundme page to help me while I focus on my health. My family and I ask if you could please share this page for donations and share my story. And please encourage yourselves and your loved ones to see the doctor and stay on top of your health because life is too beautiful to miss.