Tina's cancer. No more donating pls

My wife, Tina, is  43-years old and means the world to our 5 kids and me. She has been a stay at home mom for 17 years.  Four months ago, due to financial difficulties, she returned to work full-time. I've been out of work for a year. In March she was diagnosed with Stage Four Breast cancer.



Twelve months ago I lost my job and it has been a struggle every since. Due to changes in the industry and our economy, I have lost 3 jobs in the last three years 

We are blessed to have five children. Our oldest, Adrianna is 17. She graduates H.S. in June and will be off to college in August.



Our 12 year old, Phillip, is a competitive gymnast and spends 4-6 hours a day at the gym. This is a great outlet for him, though we are 4 months behind on tuition.



Nathan, our 9-year old, is in 3rd grade and is very much the engineer. Our 4-year old, Emily, is a social butterfly in pre-school. Praise be to God, her school has generously offered to wave her tuition.



Henry, our 2 year old little man, has an endless supply of energy and love.  The day does not stop for our children no matter what issues we may face.



Over the last 3 years we have managed to burn through all of our savings and retirement in order to maintain living expenses.  We put our house up for sale about a month ago, and thank God it sold in two days. We close mid March so in addition to a full time job search and 2 small children at home, boxes are being packed. Unemployment ran out two months ago but we don't qualify for assistance because my wife works 12 hour shifts at $13 an hour. That comes to about $800 every two weeks. I'm a disabled vet so we do get an additional monthly stipend for that.  Nevertheless, it is not enough for a family of 7.  Despite those numbers, we were somehow managing. Until last week.

Last week my beautiful wife of 23 years was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. With what little money we had, and thank God once again, we have a few friends from church who generously provided some financial assistance to meet the initial bills. Sadly, because of our new health insurance, we are looking at an enourmous out of pocket expense

As of today we are facing a $2,300 deductible and another $6600 in "out of pocket expenses". We still have to pay our monthly premium  and there will be a whole host of other costs that we have not come across yet. So we are prepped, once again, for the overwhelming debt to come. We have no money and whatever money we do bring in will go for her care. 

Through the power of Facebook, and all our friends, I was encouraged to sign up for this “GoFundMe” account. So it is with great humility that I’m stepping out there to ask for help. I’ve realized that no matter how strong you believe you can be; no matter how educated you think you are; no matter how powerful you may be in the business world; there comes a day that you realize you were never in control at all. It is through difficult times that we see and feel the love and support of friends and family.

I am humbled and thankful for all the prayers and the assistance that has enabled my family to find some form of relief and hope for the future. I am absolutely confident that this is just another bump in the road for us and that my wonderful wife will be totally cured. God is always good. Through all of this, we try to remember to "be still and know that I am God."

If you can find it in your heart to donate to our family's cause, I will forever be indebted to your support. Please keep us in your daily prayers as we know that God hears all prayers and never is a prayer wasted.

Sincerely yours,

Mike

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope." -Jeremiah 29:11