It takes a Village for Marvin's Family

I need to create a village and I need a lot of help as I am just one person. In hard times that's what it takes is a village to get through. This is what I've always been told and have seen in action through the years.

I'm writing this in deep sorrow. Our family has a need. My sister Crystal's partner and father to her children for over 21 years has been battling Pancreatic cancer for over 2 years. Being diagnosed in May of 2020. He has been strong this whole way through doing chemo and everything he had to do to maintain his disease. He's been through hell and back, all while being the strong father he could be doing everything for his family. Hiding his pain and being the Glue of the family. He held it all together even on days he didn't feel as strong enough to do so. He smiled through the pain And did what he only knew to do. Get through.

May of this year 2022. They were forced out of their home and had to relocate from Ypsilanti to Whitmore Lake where Crystal grew up. It was a big change from switching schools for the kids to Marvin having to learn a whole new way to the doctor's office because he would drive himself to chemo and all appointments. Getting lost so many times in travel but he always made it home. Learning to drive from Whitmore Lake to his doctor's offices, from his doctor's office back to Whitmore Lake was definitely trying on his memory. Which could be scattered on days because of his cancer.

Fast forward to November he could definitely feel something was off. He went to the doctor and had learned that his cancer had progressed, then started feeling bad back pain and stomach pain and went to St Joseph's hospital to get checked out. This was November 11th when he was admitted. They needed to place a stent in his stomach because he had a blockage that wouldn't clear to his gallbladder. The cancer had spread and they needed to make a bigger opening for digestion. They tried the surgery so many times and had to back out of surgery because the food wasn't digested even though he had not eaten in days. They tried everyday or two afterward and it just wasn't clearing. Every day from the 11th he was in worse pain. He had a drain put in to get rid of some excess fluid that had been accumulating which he still has the bag on his body for that. They tried the stent surgery one more time(11-24)and supposedly it took But a day or two later they said it failed and they would have to go back in and make it bigger and they just weren't sure that was going to be successful. So at this time they made the decision to get him home as fast as they could so his 7-year-old can actually visit him. They do not allow children in the hospital under a certain age. He was able to visit his son a few times but he had to go downstairs himself to visit. So the decision was made Sunday November 27th to bring him home on Hospice. Every day is a gift and we take advantage of that often. I pray for the gift of December But really it could be days left. I pray that he at least lasts until the weekend. Today Monday November 28th a hospital bed was delivered so he can get more comfortable, and the chaplain came out to bless him. I pray for the gift of tomorrow, I pray for the gift of the next day, And every day after until December is over.

But most of all, I'm praying for a village for My Sister Crystal and her Children.

My sister Crystal has a 26-year-old son (Robert Harrison) who is living on his own who was raised by Marvin since he was 3 or 4. Together Marvin and Crystal have three children MayAna 17 ( home school) , Akiya 16 (Whitmore Lake Junior) and Marvin aka MJ (2nd grader in Whitmore Lake elementary School)

I'm worried because in the days after Marvin's transition home to heaven whenever that may be, that also means his disability stops. And that disability paid the mobile home payment. There is no life insurance, just Medicaid and I don't know how much that pays for cremation. They are going to need so much help. I don't even know if there's going to be much of a Christmas or if they will even want to celebrate.

I need a village of suggestions and what we can do, any help that they can receive, donations of any sort that you can gift to them. Whether its monetary, gift certificates, Christmas presents, The gift of paying a bill for them, prayers, sharing this post. Anything that a village can do. I've never had to write something like this before, And I don't even know if I'm asking for help in the right way. All I know is I feel helpless And I have to do something. I'm going to be checking with Marcos (her 16-year-old daughter works there, as does my daughter Serena) or even a bank so I can set up a different way of collecting donations. I know Go Fund Me is not the best way to collect donations but it's the only way I thought of right now. If need be I can always give you Crystal's contact information. Just message me.

I will post daily updates. Please pray he has more time. Please pray that he stays comfortable, And that God is there guiding him painlessly and he'll be finally in peace. God please give the family more time with him........in Jesus name Amen