Karl, one day at a time...
We are fundraising for Karl, a 42 year old fun, loyal, cheeky, football loving down to earth bloke.
Karl is a father, a husband, a son, a friend, a step brother and one hell of a Stone Mason. He is a grafter and enjoys doing what he knows best. In September he started with dizzy spells and breathlessness, at this point was given tablets for his inner ear, by December he was suffering crippling headaches, stopped his medication and he struggled to get out of bed, back and to, to the doctors he finally had an emergency MRI scan.
After tests he received the results on 23rd December 2020 which revealed he had a cyst and mass on his brain, this news was a devastating shock, they acted quickly and he had surgery on 30th December 2020. They were happy with how the surgery went, taking 90% of the growth and advised that this would be sent off for analysis. On Friday 8th January they received the news, the growth is a cancerous brain tumour, stage 4, Glioblastoma (GBA), (and told 18months) they started him on steroid medication and was booked to speak with the consultant virtually on 16th January 2021, this has all been very positive and he will start Radiation therapy on 27th January 2021 everyday for 6 weeks. At the weekends, he will have tablet form Chemotherapy if he manages to tolerate it. The prognosis is not what anyone would want, but they remain positive and they are going to fight this! Although they say it will grow back it’s small now and if the treatment keeps it that way that's everyone's focus.
Just take a minute to think about the speed of this.....one day you're working your nuts off lugging stone and 3 weeks later you've had a brain operation, barely able to walk around your own home and told about your condition. Utterly life alterating and frightening.
Karl has an amazing wife Gemma, who adores Karl and as you can imagine this has turned her world upside down too. Gemma also has health conditions, to name a few, she has fibromyalgia, lupus and back problems needing a wheelchair some days, which makes this even harder. They have 3 beautiful children; Emmilia 13, Dilen 11 and Edith 6, who have taken the news in their stride and remain positive, but are having their moments like all children do. They all live together in Chester, Cheshire with their dog and cats.
Both Karl and Gemma are self employed and with the recent events on top of an already difficult year due to Covid, they are both unable to work, whilst they are able to apply to the state for help this is not enough for any quality of life or the best treatment options. They both want to look into alternative treatments, but any specialists in this area come at a high price, £500 for an initial consultation. This is still very early days in discovering treatment options, some of which may be abroad.
We, their family and friends, all feel helpless and wanted to just find a way to help, which is difficult during Covid, so fundraising will enable us to give support during this incredibly challenging time and show how much we care and love Karl and the family. This will not only help with medical costs but also enable them as a family to make some great memories and make some dreams come true together - Karl has always wanted to go to New York. Hopefully, after lockdown eases travel will be possible again.
Karl and Gemma are very proud people and will work day and night to earn their way and provide the best for their children, but I feel it’s our time to support them and let them enjoy life too, without the day to day financial worries for them and their children.
We are planning events throughout the year to help people to donate some are:
* A challenge a day whilst Karl is having his radiation therapy
*1st February 2021 - The Bromfield Football team and many of Karl's friends are running and biking the distance to Istanbul, 2071 miles. They plan to complete this challenge by Good Friday. We will post weekly updates on the Facebook page how far they have got collectively. If you are donating for this challenge please comment with your donation the following:
#foxyroadtoistanbul
#karlonedayatatime
#BromfieldArmsFC
*13th February 2021 - Jo-Anne Jones is Shaving her head to raise money - If you are donating because of Jo-Anne please comment on your donation Jo-Anne's Shave
*Triathalon
* Quiz night virtual or not!
* Danceathon
* Spinathon
Any ideas gratefully received and anyone wanting to join in please feel free. We will post regular updates regarding Karl’s treatment and progress.
We are starting off with a 6 week challenge to do each day whilst Karl is doing treatment, everyone can join in and get involved. We will post our daily challenge via Facebook so please share pictures and videos to spur each other on and most importantly to give Karl, Gem and kids a boost! Get in your diary Wednesday 27th January to start the challenge!
Anything small or large will be gratefully received by this lovely family who are going through the worst thing imaginable in the middle of a pandemic. Without the usual ways of accessing support and friendship, it could well become an isolated and lonely time.
Please give what you can and importantly, please share with your friends. Thanks in advance for all your support.
To keep updated on events, share your own fundraisers or to post if you have been joining us to give Karl, Gemma, Emmilia, Dilen and Edith a boost see the facebook page :https://www.facebook.com/Karl-one-day-at-a-time-103136898458147
