In February 2025, my husband Carl was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Small Cell lung cancer with brain metastasis. At the time of his diagnosis, he had 6 brain tumors. Over the last 6 months, he has gone through chemotherapy, gamma knife radiation, a lung lobectomy (5/2025), and a craniotomy (7/2025). I am a registered nurse and we have 4 children. The 2 youngest have medical conditions. Our youngest child has a life-threatening medical condition called sickle cell anemia. She has been hospitalized over a dozen times and has been in ICU intubated in the past. She currently gets monthly blood transfusions to help manage her symptoms. Our other child has autism, epilepsy, and is non-verbal.

On 8/29/2025, Carl was placed under hospice care (at home) for comfort care. His cancer worsened as brain tumors continued to develop and grow, resulting in him becoming bed-bound and paralyzed. I was denied FMLA and paid family leave. Since they were utilized earlier this year, to care for him & my children. I no longer meet the “hours worked” requirements to take another leave. Even though, I continued to work my 12 hour overnight shifts, during times I could barely hold myself together, knowing things at home were falling apart. Carl was denied for both SSI and SSDI and currently does not receive any benefits. Any savings we had, has been depleted to pay medical bills, prescriptions, health insurance, mortgage, utilities, food, and necessary expenses.

9/20/25….Carl transitioned and is no longer in pain & is no longer suffering.

I am extremely humble, I never ask for help, but I’m always willing to help others. It took so much for me to write this. But in this moment, we are desperate for any help. Any and every $1 is appreciated. I thank you, we thank you ❤️