- N
My name is Steven. I’m about the most average human you can possibly know. My beautiful wife Carmen on the other hand, is a real life superhero whose daily superpower is fighting cancer.
First diagnosed in January 2017 with
Melanoma, it was soon revealed to be stage 3 as it was seen to have spread into her nearby lymph nodes. 2 major surgeries within the first year, and 7 more throughout the past 6 years, she went punch for punch with her illness by not letting it win even the smallest of battles.
September 2023, her symptoms from a recent kidney stone removal and kidney stent sent us to the ER twice in two weeks. While the initial plan was to remove her gallbladder, it was revealed her melanoma had metastasized to her lung, and her liver. I immediately let my employer know I wouldn’t be coming into work for the upcoming work, and soon I would submit my FMLA leave of absence. During this time, we would be in and out of the hospital a total of 4 times after trips to the ER became a weekly occurrence.
Thankfully I had about 70 hours worth of paid leave saved, however once that ended I found myself pondering what I was going to do in the coming months to sustain our finances. On one hand I’m taking care of my wife night and day here at home under hospice care. On the other, I’m trying to figure out how many times a month I can donate plasma for just a tiny bit of income. I’ve never been the type to ask for help, because I tend to just do things the hard way by myself.In this case, I cannot comfortably take care of my wife and her needs during her hospice care here at home without looking outwards. Not only will every donation be accepted with the utmost extreme gratitude, every donor will be personally honored in a handmade memorial during my wife’s future services. If you’ve made it this far in our tiny story, thank you for reading about a small fraction of our lives. If you cannot or chose not to donate, your well wishes, prayers, and positive vibes are more than enough. ❤️
****UPDATE****
10/30
My beautiful woman is finally pain free and cruising the universe with her favorite band Grayscale on full blast, singing at the top of her lungs. She grabbed her wings last night and said SEE YA LATER!! My soul hurts beyond comprehension, but I’m so happy she gets to experience what every one of us should only be so lucky to experience in the future. Life feels so empty and quiet right now, but my mind and my heart are also filled beyond belief with the biggest and tiniest of memories the both of us were able to share the past 10 years. I will never forget her and the unconditional love she always gave me, no matter my faults. Until my dying breath I’ll carry the beautiful energy she always radiated, with me no matter where life takes me from here on out. Thank you to everyone who has shown their comfort and support to her and the both of us as a whole over the years. You don’t know how much it really meant to her and myself as well. I love you all.
First diagnosed in January 2017 with
Melanoma, it was soon revealed to be stage 3 as it was seen to have spread into her nearby lymph nodes. 2 major surgeries within the first year, and 7 more throughout the past 6 years, she went punch for punch with her illness by not letting it win even the smallest of battles.
September 2023, her symptoms from a recent kidney stone removal and kidney stent sent us to the ER twice in two weeks. While the initial plan was to remove her gallbladder, it was revealed her melanoma had metastasized to her lung, and her liver. I immediately let my employer know I wouldn’t be coming into work for the upcoming work, and soon I would submit my FMLA leave of absence. During this time, we would be in and out of the hospital a total of 4 times after trips to the ER became a weekly occurrence.
Thankfully I had about 70 hours worth of paid leave saved, however once that ended I found myself pondering what I was going to do in the coming months to sustain our finances. On one hand I’m taking care of my wife night and day here at home under hospice care. On the other, I’m trying to figure out how many times a month I can donate plasma for just a tiny bit of income. I’ve never been the type to ask for help, because I tend to just do things the hard way by myself.In this case, I cannot comfortably take care of my wife and her needs during her hospice care here at home without looking outwards. Not only will every donation be accepted with the utmost extreme gratitude, every donor will be personally honored in a handmade memorial during my wife’s future services. If you’ve made it this far in our tiny story, thank you for reading about a small fraction of our lives. If you cannot or chose not to donate, your well wishes, prayers, and positive vibes are more than enough. ❤️
****UPDATE****
10/30
My beautiful woman is finally pain free and cruising the universe with her favorite band Grayscale on full blast, singing at the top of her lungs. She grabbed her wings last night and said SEE YA LATER!! My soul hurts beyond comprehension, but I’m so happy she gets to experience what every one of us should only be so lucky to experience in the future. Life feels so empty and quiet right now, but my mind and my heart are also filled beyond belief with the biggest and tiniest of memories the both of us were able to share the past 10 years. I will never forget her and the unconditional love she always gave me, no matter my faults. Until my dying breath I’ll carry the beautiful energy she always radiated, with me no matter where life takes me from here on out. Thank you to everyone who has shown their comfort and support to her and the both of us as a whole over the years. You don’t know how much it really meant to her and myself as well. I love you all.