Brian's burial, family emergency
Donation protected
The campaign tips for GoFundMe say to tell who I am. Clearly that isn't as important as who they are, Krista Burrell and her children, Hannah, Jacob, Sara and Joshua. You see for the last 3 1/2 years they have experienced a journey through the world of Cancer. Krista's husband, these beautiful children's father Brian, has Multiple Myeloma. He has fought the good fight.
There were times in this journey that hopes were high! Times of praise when he appeared cancer free. Times of new treatments that held the highest hope of recovery. Times of qualified studies that might benefit Brian and others that may come along with this horrible disease. But in the end, as with many cancer victims, their hopes and his options were depleted. I can't imagine the emotions felt when the Doctor says " you have fought a hard long fight. It's time to go to Hospice." That's what was told to Brian and Krista on Tuesday 8/16/16. Brian requested one more day at home with his family and was admitted to Midland Care Hospice in Topeka Kansas on 8/17/16.
Krista has stayed by his side regardless of the impact of small paychecks and issues with the demands and rules of FMLA. Government Benefits such as Food Stamps or Child Care are based on your income, not how many hours you have been able to work.They have endured long months out of town for aggressive treatments with high hopes of sucess. There is much suffering in these situations but when there is finanacial burden walking hand and hand with disease the impact is devastating. This is the purpose of my plea for help. See, Krista is my friend. Krista would do anything for me, and for others in need. Once she told me her desire was to help others but no one asks because she is in this impasse. Brian qualified for Social Security Benefits but the hard facts are that if he succumbs to this wicked disease before 8/31/16, ,Krista is duty bound to repay the benefit for the month of August to the government.
I am asking for help to keep this wonderful family afloat for a season. As adults we are aware that life will throw us curve balls. Children do not have the maturity or capacity to reason with the passing of a parent. That isn't in the "Teaching your kids about life 101" handbook. Soon they will be left with sorting out the logic and substance of understanding, resolve and forgiveness. The harsh reality of this situation is that while they try to comprehend all this they are in danger of losing everything. Krista told me last week she doesn't know how she will even bury Brian.
Time is of the essence and I fear I may have waited too long to reach out for her. She can't reach out for herself now. Today, Sunday, 8/21/16, Brian is not eating or drinking and doesn't wake up anymore. This is what Krista posted on Facebook this morning:
"my children and our family are heartbroken. However, we are trying to find peace that he will soon be with our loving Heavenly Father, no longer in pain, reunited with family who passed before him and that we will one day be an eternal family again. Please continue to keep Brian and our family in your prayers. I also want to say thank you to all of our family and friends who have been and continue to support us through this. We love and appreciate you all."
Bless you to those who read this and understand the true meaning of humanitarianism and giving. Thank you for caring.
There were times in this journey that hopes were high! Times of praise when he appeared cancer free. Times of new treatments that held the highest hope of recovery. Times of qualified studies that might benefit Brian and others that may come along with this horrible disease. But in the end, as with many cancer victims, their hopes and his options were depleted. I can't imagine the emotions felt when the Doctor says " you have fought a hard long fight. It's time to go to Hospice." That's what was told to Brian and Krista on Tuesday 8/16/16. Brian requested one more day at home with his family and was admitted to Midland Care Hospice in Topeka Kansas on 8/17/16.
Krista has stayed by his side regardless of the impact of small paychecks and issues with the demands and rules of FMLA. Government Benefits such as Food Stamps or Child Care are based on your income, not how many hours you have been able to work.They have endured long months out of town for aggressive treatments with high hopes of sucess. There is much suffering in these situations but when there is finanacial burden walking hand and hand with disease the impact is devastating. This is the purpose of my plea for help. See, Krista is my friend. Krista would do anything for me, and for others in need. Once she told me her desire was to help others but no one asks because she is in this impasse. Brian qualified for Social Security Benefits but the hard facts are that if he succumbs to this wicked disease before 8/31/16, ,Krista is duty bound to repay the benefit for the month of August to the government.
I am asking for help to keep this wonderful family afloat for a season. As adults we are aware that life will throw us curve balls. Children do not have the maturity or capacity to reason with the passing of a parent. That isn't in the "Teaching your kids about life 101" handbook. Soon they will be left with sorting out the logic and substance of understanding, resolve and forgiveness. The harsh reality of this situation is that while they try to comprehend all this they are in danger of losing everything. Krista told me last week she doesn't know how she will even bury Brian.
Time is of the essence and I fear I may have waited too long to reach out for her. She can't reach out for herself now. Today, Sunday, 8/21/16, Brian is not eating or drinking and doesn't wake up anymore. This is what Krista posted on Facebook this morning:
"my children and our family are heartbroken. However, we are trying to find peace that he will soon be with our loving Heavenly Father, no longer in pain, reunited with family who passed before him and that we will one day be an eternal family again. Please continue to keep Brian and our family in your prayers. I also want to say thank you to all of our family and friends who have been and continue to support us through this. We love and appreciate you all."
Bless you to those who read this and understand the true meaning of humanitarianism and giving. Thank you for caring.
Organizer and beneficiary
Debbie Riggs
Organizer
Topeka, KS
Krista Burrell
Beneficiary