I’m reaching out today with a humble heart, asking for help for my son, Josh.
Over the past several months, Josh has faced a series of unexpected medical emergencies that have uncovered additional health issues, including one that will require another major surgery and an extended hospital stay.
Josh has always been a healthy, active young man. None of us ever imagined we would find ourselves facing something like this. These unexpected medical challenges have turned his world, and ours, upside down.
Unfortunately, his health insurance comes with a high deductible, something he never anticipated needing to worry about given his otherwise healthy lifestyle. We have helped him financially and will continue to do everything within our means, but the medical expenses are piling up quickly.
The ambulance ride alone resulted in a $500 out-of-pocket bill because it wasn't covered by insurance. We've already received multiple invoices from his initial urgent care visit and hospital stay (some pictured here), with many more expenses still pending.
In addition to the medical bills, I'm traveling back and forth between California, where I call home, and Utah, where Josh lives. The costs of travel, dog boarding, and taking unpaid time off work are adding another layer of financial strain, making it increasingly difficult to be there for him as much as I'd like.
We will be spending the week leading up to Christmas, and likely part of the week afterward, in the hospital.
Josh has been diagnosed with a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (tumor) of the pancreas. He will need to undergo a complex surgical procedure known as the Whipple procedure. Although this is an established surgery, it is a significant operation with a challenging recovery.
His previous surgery came with serious complications, including hospital-acquired aspiration pneumonia. His surgical oncology team is taking additional precautions this time in hopes of preventing a repeat of those complications.
As his mom, there is nothing harder than watching your child go through something so frightening and wishing you could take it all away. I would give him the world if I could. I wish I could make the medical bills, the uncertainty, and the challenges disappear.
But right now, I'm doing everything I can to help him get through this.
So, with humility, we are asking for a little help. Any contribution, regardless of the amount, would help ease the growing financial burden of his medical expenses and the additional costs associated with being by his side.
If you're unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing his story. Every share, every donation, every kind thought, and every prayer means more than you could ever know.
Thank you for taking the time to read Josh's story and for helping us navigate this incredibly difficult chapter.
He's my whole world, and I wish I could give him the world. For now, I'll continue doing everything in my power to help him fight through this. ❤️
