Relief for Joe
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family (as well as those of you who are so graciously taking the time to read our story),
First, I’d like our families to know that we have chosen to put our need out to the world because of our desperate need for help. It is our hope that you are not embarrassed by this, but to be understanding of our position. Desperate times create desperate measures. At this time, we have become very desperate.
Now for our story:
On the morning of 08/31/2018, my 55-year-old husband Joe Harriman, had a major stroke and was rushed to the hospital. He was immediately sent into a two-hour brain surgery to remove a large blood clot from his brain. He sailed through that procedure like the strong man he is! Then within ten minutes after that first surgery, he had another severe stroke. Fluid had built up in his brain, causing it to collapse. He was quickly back into surgery for the second time to insert a shunt that would drain the fluid off his brain. The prognosis was frail. He was given a 20% chance of recovery. The doctors were extremely guarded because they had not ever done theseprocedures back-to-back before. He was placed on a vent and into a medically induced coma. Fear certainly struck my family’s heart! The next morning when I arrived at the hospital, Joe was amazingly sitting up in his bed, still intubated but not connected to the vent. He was breathing on his own, alert and wanting that tube out so he could talk! When he was extubated, the first thing he said was, “I want to go home”! There appears to be no adverse affects due to the strokes or the surgeries. He has no memory of the stroke episodes. His doctors are amazed at the quick turn around Joe has done --- they just shake their head in total amazement. He was discharged on Labor Day,three days after the second surgery - they consider him to be their miracle man!
Joe has a strong work ethic and identifies himself according to how well he provides for his family. He has been a well-respected and dedicated employee of R. Builders since moving to Florida four years ago. Joe is a true family man. He has raised four daughters by his choice (the girls are not his biological children) and is very much involved with raising several of his grandchildren. Joe’s 401K has been depleted due to family funeral costs and recently moving his family to a safer home for his two grandchildren to be raised in. The last of this 401K is being used to purchase medications (over $400/month at this time) that is required for the rest of Joe’s life. The financial crisis we are in is causing him so much anxiety, as he now has no income. The anxiety is keeping his blood pressure elevated, which is in turn causing TIA’s (Transient Ischemic Attacks), which is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. These episodes are frequently referred to as “mini-strokes”, but what they really are is a major warning and a need to immediately call to 9-1-1! Joe returned to the doctor Wednesday, 09/12/2018. The doctor is sending him for another angiogram. He has no medical insurance and the bills are mounting.
Now we need help! We cannot ask for nor accept loans because we do not have the means to repay them. We are applying for assistance, but that takes time. We are reaching out to everyone with the hope that we can get the help we need to get Joe to a place of stronger and more stable health! We are definitely not beggars. We are common, loving folks who are now in a place of great need. We have had to swallow our pride and put our personal business out there for public scrutiny.
Please know that every penny received will go directly to providing the basic needs of our family, but first and foremost --- to the support of Joe’s medical needs. Any amount you can help us with will be a great and generous blessing! In advance, thank you for your heart-felt giving to our family!
Sincerely and humbly,
Joe & Denise Harriman and family
First, I’d like our families to know that we have chosen to put our need out to the world because of our desperate need for help. It is our hope that you are not embarrassed by this, but to be understanding of our position. Desperate times create desperate measures. At this time, we have become very desperate.
Now for our story:
On the morning of 08/31/2018, my 55-year-old husband Joe Harriman, had a major stroke and was rushed to the hospital. He was immediately sent into a two-hour brain surgery to remove a large blood clot from his brain. He sailed through that procedure like the strong man he is! Then within ten minutes after that first surgery, he had another severe stroke. Fluid had built up in his brain, causing it to collapse. He was quickly back into surgery for the second time to insert a shunt that would drain the fluid off his brain. The prognosis was frail. He was given a 20% chance of recovery. The doctors were extremely guarded because they had not ever done theseprocedures back-to-back before. He was placed on a vent and into a medically induced coma. Fear certainly struck my family’s heart! The next morning when I arrived at the hospital, Joe was amazingly sitting up in his bed, still intubated but not connected to the vent. He was breathing on his own, alert and wanting that tube out so he could talk! When he was extubated, the first thing he said was, “I want to go home”! There appears to be no adverse affects due to the strokes or the surgeries. He has no memory of the stroke episodes. His doctors are amazed at the quick turn around Joe has done --- they just shake their head in total amazement. He was discharged on Labor Day,three days after the second surgery - they consider him to be their miracle man!
Joe has a strong work ethic and identifies himself according to how well he provides for his family. He has been a well-respected and dedicated employee of R. Builders since moving to Florida four years ago. Joe is a true family man. He has raised four daughters by his choice (the girls are not his biological children) and is very much involved with raising several of his grandchildren. Joe’s 401K has been depleted due to family funeral costs and recently moving his family to a safer home for his two grandchildren to be raised in. The last of this 401K is being used to purchase medications (over $400/month at this time) that is required for the rest of Joe’s life. The financial crisis we are in is causing him so much anxiety, as he now has no income. The anxiety is keeping his blood pressure elevated, which is in turn causing TIA’s (Transient Ischemic Attacks), which is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. These episodes are frequently referred to as “mini-strokes”, but what they really are is a major warning and a need to immediately call to 9-1-1! Joe returned to the doctor Wednesday, 09/12/2018. The doctor is sending him for another angiogram. He has no medical insurance and the bills are mounting.
Now we need help! We cannot ask for nor accept loans because we do not have the means to repay them. We are applying for assistance, but that takes time. We are reaching out to everyone with the hope that we can get the help we need to get Joe to a place of stronger and more stable health! We are definitely not beggars. We are common, loving folks who are now in a place of great need. We have had to swallow our pride and put our personal business out there for public scrutiny.
Please know that every penny received will go directly to providing the basic needs of our family, but first and foremost --- to the support of Joe’s medical needs. Any amount you can help us with will be a great and generous blessing! In advance, thank you for your heart-felt giving to our family!
Sincerely and humbly,
Joe & Denise Harriman and family
Organizer
Denise Venezia Harriman
Organizer
Lehigh Acres, FL
