Caring for Josh: A Mother's Unwavering Love

This is my brother Josh who is terminally ill. He turned 41 this year and has been fighting for his life for the past five and a half years. There have been good days and bad. Josh has been hospitalized dozens of times since early 2019, and each time we expected it to be his last.

Josh is not a candidate for any additional life-saving procedures as too many comorbidities have now reduced his probability of surviving any procedure to, "unlikely to make it off the table." We are all coming to terms with his prognosis.

I remember wanting a brother more than anything else as a kid. Josh is what some may consider a miracle, as my parents experienced several miscarriages in the years leading up to his premature birth in 1983. Our mother's pregnancy with Josh was complicated, and he weighed just 5 lbs 4 oz at birth. We all fell in love with Josh from the moment we met him as a newborn. I was so proud that day we became siblings and I, his "big brother."

Josh has been unable to work for years and has lived with our mother, who has been a remarkable caregiver, driving countless trips back and forth 35 miles each way to St. Louis University Hospital (SLUH) for doctor's appointments, hospitalizations, blood transfusions, etc. Mom has numerous serious health issues of her own and her dedication to Josh is absolute. No parent should ever experience her pain.

Josh has lost interest in and/or the energy to do any of the things he enjoyed, like camping and fishing. He is in a great deal of pain all the time, and there is little that can be done for him aside from palliative care or hospice. He hasn't given up yet, continuing his battle each day. However, making both Josh comfortable and getting our mother some much-needed support is the goal of this GoFundMe. Please help any way you can and keep Josh and Diane in your prayers.

These funds will be used for:

Medications not covered by insurance.

Transportation.

Palliative care/hospice.

Funeral expenses.

To ease financial burden and to provide any comfort possible.

Thank you.