Eric's StoryI met Melissa when we were 12 years old. We started dating at 14 and married at 20. Melissa had been diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia in the fifth grade. It is a bone marrow failing disease and DNA breakage syndrome, increasing cancer risk by 1000 times. Later, she endured a 13 year-long poly-chronic medical journey.
This is our story |
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I was Melissa’s primary caregiver throughout the entire journey.
In the beginning it was in a supporting role as she could self-care. This transitioned into more hands on over the years, accompanying infusion treatments, managing insurance items, an increased parental role, and standing by her side for support.
The last 8+ years was direct care. I attended every appointment, exam, bone marrow biopsy, and hospital stay. I managed medications, monitoring and reporting symptoms and health status to her providers, and procedure recovery actions. After chemo and radiation, I became Melissa’s advocate and voice, due to the memory loss and mental acuity damaged by the toxic warfare those drugs do to the body.
Our children were in elementary school when Melissa started this journey and were 20 and 22 when she passed. They really only knew a mother that was ill. Their incredible mom, my wonderful wife, passed away June 1st, 2023.
The last 8+ years was direct care. I attended every appointment, exam, bone marrow biopsy, and hospital stay. I managed medications, monitoring and reporting symptoms and health status to her providers, and procedure recovery actions. After chemo and radiation, I became Melissa’s advocate and voice, due to the memory loss and mental acuity damaged by the toxic warfare those drugs do to the body.
Our children were in elementary school when Melissa started this journey and were 20 and 22 when she passed. They really only knew a mother that was ill. Their incredible mom, my wonderful wife, passed away June 1st, 2023.
This is my sequel.
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Allison Breininger of The Negative Space introduced me to Jack’s. I researched the organization but didn’t reach out or get engaged until after Melissa’s passing in June.
Jeff Myhre connected over the phone immediately. He was immensely kind and compassionate. He wanted to know me, my story, how Jack’s could help. Then he connected me with Jack’s member and volunteer, Patrick Triemert. Jeff also invited me to attend my first Sequel Makers Klatch in July. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure I was ready to attend, but I am so glad I did. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive. I was currently attending a Grief Share group at church, where I was minority in a class of woman. Jack’s Klatch being predominantly men, was a welcomed dynamic and something I instantly appreciated. It was refreshing being in a group of men that were willing to be vulnerable, share in my loss and grieve with me. The men in the group provide so many different perspectives on the grief journey because of where each of them is on that journey. I continue to attend and look forward each month to the next Klatch. I have met some amazing people at Jack’s. |
