The McAlpine Brothers
Donation protected
Hi Everyone,
As many of you know, the McAlpine family has had a very difficult year with a lot of heart ache.
In September 2015, at the age of 25, Brent suffered from his third stroke. Brent was diagnosed at the age of 10 with an Arteriovenous Malformation which can be described as an abnormal sack of blood vessels in his brain that puts him at a very high risk of stroke. Brent underwent a 20 hour surgery in October 2015 when he had his fourth stroke. Brent spent several weeks in the critical care unit at University Hospital. He was then transferred to Parkwood Hospital to begin re-learning the basics, such as talking, eating and moving his arms and legs. Brent has now returned to University Hospital as he has begun to have a seizure disorder. Although he is unable to communicate much as of yet, his family is sure that the Brent we all know is still in there. When we reminisce about all of the great times at McGillivray Central School and memories with his baseball team, the Dirtballs, he can’t help but smile and nod his head that he remembers. We are hopeful that Brent will be able to return to a rehabilitation centre and at some point in the future, be able to come home.
This September 2016, tragedy struck the McAlpine family again. Daryn, at the age of 21, began having unbearable pain that affected his walking and daily living. Daryn has been diagnosed with a very large soft tissue tumour, stage 3 cancer. In the next weeks he will begin an aggressive treatment of chemotherapy with hopes to shrink the tumors and stop the cancer from spreading. Daryn is a very active young man who has just begun his career as a Manufacturing Engineering Technologist at Gnutti in Huron Park. Unfortunately, the pain is uncontrollable and Daryn has had to take a leave from work. He is now unable to do simple tasks such as getting dressed on his own.
This past year my Aunt & Uncle have endured pain that no parent ever should. My Aunt Barb, Uncle John and their family are the strongest people I know. This family has been through more in the last year than most do in a lifetime. Our family has received many requests from the community asking how they can help. The costs for the McAlpine's are endless: time off work, parking at hospitals, gas to London, tv in Brent’s room... the list goes on and on. With two pregnant daughters, Ashley due this month and Sarah due in March, this should be an overwhelmingly happy time for this family, but these unfortunate and uncontrollable events have made life difficult.
I am hoping that by setting up this Go Fund Me page, our community can provide a little bit of relief to this amazing family. Please help share the McAlpine’s story so we can raise as much money as possible.
Thank you!
Meg Geudens
As many of you know, the McAlpine family has had a very difficult year with a lot of heart ache.
In September 2015, at the age of 25, Brent suffered from his third stroke. Brent was diagnosed at the age of 10 with an Arteriovenous Malformation which can be described as an abnormal sack of blood vessels in his brain that puts him at a very high risk of stroke. Brent underwent a 20 hour surgery in October 2015 when he had his fourth stroke. Brent spent several weeks in the critical care unit at University Hospital. He was then transferred to Parkwood Hospital to begin re-learning the basics, such as talking, eating and moving his arms and legs. Brent has now returned to University Hospital as he has begun to have a seizure disorder. Although he is unable to communicate much as of yet, his family is sure that the Brent we all know is still in there. When we reminisce about all of the great times at McGillivray Central School and memories with his baseball team, the Dirtballs, he can’t help but smile and nod his head that he remembers. We are hopeful that Brent will be able to return to a rehabilitation centre and at some point in the future, be able to come home.
This September 2016, tragedy struck the McAlpine family again. Daryn, at the age of 21, began having unbearable pain that affected his walking and daily living. Daryn has been diagnosed with a very large soft tissue tumour, stage 3 cancer. In the next weeks he will begin an aggressive treatment of chemotherapy with hopes to shrink the tumors and stop the cancer from spreading. Daryn is a very active young man who has just begun his career as a Manufacturing Engineering Technologist at Gnutti in Huron Park. Unfortunately, the pain is uncontrollable and Daryn has had to take a leave from work. He is now unable to do simple tasks such as getting dressed on his own.
This past year my Aunt & Uncle have endured pain that no parent ever should. My Aunt Barb, Uncle John and their family are the strongest people I know. This family has been through more in the last year than most do in a lifetime. Our family has received many requests from the community asking how they can help. The costs for the McAlpine's are endless: time off work, parking at hospitals, gas to London, tv in Brent’s room... the list goes on and on. With two pregnant daughters, Ashley due this month and Sarah due in March, this should be an overwhelmingly happy time for this family, but these unfortunate and uncontrollable events have made life difficult.
I am hoping that by setting up this Go Fund Me page, our community can provide a little bit of relief to this amazing family. Please help share the McAlpine’s story so we can raise as much money as possible.
Thank you!
Meg Geudens
Organizer
Meg Lee
Organizer
Thedford, ON