Support Lee Marsh In Fighting Brain Tumor

Update as of September 2, 2024:

We are heartbroken to share that Lee is losing his battle with brain cancer. As his doctor said, “it is now about the quality of life as longevity is short”. Lee was so strong through so many rounds of chemo and radiation, and for a time the treatment was shrinking his tumor. For a while now, however, the tumor in Lee’s brain has stopped responding to the treatment and it is taking over his brain. Lee’s right side has progressively shut down. He took a turn for the worse last Thursday and is requiring 24/7 assistance from both Vicki and Rhys. Lee can no longer walk, talk, read, write, balance, and even more. Lee is still in there, as he will laugh at funny videos and try to communicate with his loved ones, but his ways of communicating are mostly gone. Vicki does read Lee’s text messages to him, and he seems to appreciate them all, so please continue reaching out.

Vicki continues to work to pay for their household bills and has only used the GoFundMe donations for Lee’s direct medical costs. The medical expenses have been exorbitant, with Lee’s monthly medications alone costing $1000+ in addition to the expense for each test and treatment he receives. Lee, Vicki, Josh, and Rhys appreciate every single donation that has been made for Lee. The financial support has allowed them to devote more of their time caring directly for Lee.

Vicki said she sees sadness in Lee's eyes when she looks in them, and it's a mirror to her own. She is now literally at rock bottom watching the love of her life slowly shut down before her eyes and seeing the pain her sons are experiencing as they lose their dad.

It’s beyond heartbreaking to be at this point, but Vicki is requesting donations towards Lee’s funeral costs. Literally every donation is appreciated and is helpful – they will incur an additional estimated $10,000+ in expenses along with the devastation of losing Lee. While Vicki is continuing to work, she will have to take some time off – both to be with Lee and after. She said meals and gift cards will also be helpful, as meals are a big stressor for them all.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments here as the family will see them.

To meet Lee is to respect him. To know him is to love him.

Here We Go Again.

Lee’s brain tumor Story:

12 years ago Lee was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Then he beat it! Though he still suffered some effects from the battle, Lee beat brain cancer!

Today, Lee is battling another, larger, more aggressive brain tumor. Surprise! His worst nightmare is back.

Ok, enough with the opening of Lee’s superhero story, here it is:

You know how people say “oh this guy, he would do anything for anybody!” Well, Lee is this guy. Lee and his family have opened their home to near strangers, just to give them a second chance. They have provided residence for family and friends without question or expectation, regardless the stress added to their family. I once asked Lee, “why are you [helping someone again that has burned you in the past]?” His response was, “because we can. We believe if you can help someone, it’s the right thing to do.” Lee has a heart of gold. He is both kind and caring. And he’s brutally honest, which I’ve always appreciated!

On October 9, 2023 Lee was diagnosed with a brain tumor, 12 years after being diagnosed with his first brain tumor. It all started with seizures 12 years ago, and unfortunately seizures have continued to be a struggle for Lee. But his wife knew that there was something different about his most recent seizure and insisted the doctors check it out. Just like that, their worst nightmare came to life, again.

Lee’s current tumor is a Stage 4 glioblastoma. Basically, the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat kind of brain tumor. In two(2) weeks Lee will begin his first round of six(6) weeks of both chemo and radiation. It is likely that he will undergo rounds of chemo for up to a year. Lee does not have health insurance and is expected to pay for his medical bills as he undergoes treatment.

Lee recently underwent a biopsy to learn exactly what they’re dealing with and to guide treatment. He suffered a mild stroke as a complication after the surgery and spent Christmas in the hospital. He was recommended to go to a rehabilitation facility for two(2) weeks for intense physical therapy to help his body recover from the stroke, but his concern about the financial cost and his desire to be home, made Lee refuse. The neuro-oncologist actually agreed with Lee’s decision, not wanting to delay treatment/appointments if he was in the rehabilitation facility.

Lee is 43 years old, married to the amazing Vicki for almost 20 years (although their love story began years prior, the moment Vicki laid eyes on Lee), with two incredible sons Josh (26) and Rhys (21). Lee is someone who always has to work, to help, to move. He has always been a very strong and capable man, the leader of his family (when Vicki allowed ). This family is incredibly tight and have banded together, as always, to fight this new battle. Vicki, Josh, and Rhys do everything they can, daily, to provide Lee with their love and support. They are all struggling with this new diagnosis, especially as Josh was diagnosed earlier this year with Multiple Sclerosis.

I hope you’re asking how you can help. Well, Lee will be unable to work for the foreseeable future, and Vicki must take time off work to care for Lee and transport him to and from his appointments. Lee does not have health insurance, and the financial toll Lee’s medical care is making has already impacted his treatment decisions. Through the generosity of others and selfless donations, Lee will better be able to focus on successfully fighting this tumor.

During Lee’s first round of successfully battling a brain tumor, he and his family fought alone. They are the first to help someone else but don’t know how to receive help in return. Knowing the financial burden that his treatment demands and his present inability to help, along with realizing he is in the fight for his life, Lee has dropped into the depths of despair and depression. As Vicki says, “he’s broken”. Lee and his family have realized they cannot walk this path alone, and it is for this reason that they have agreed to accept support and allow others to provide some strength and assistance alongside them.

My name is Ashley, and I have been close friends with both Lee and Vicki for 15 years. I have always admired their relationship and the strength and endurance of the love they have for each other. I have tried to understand their selfless way of life and am humbled by their friendship. I watched them struggle through Lee’s first brain tumor treatment and I am thankful they are open to accepting help now. I have started this ‘Go Fund Me’ account to help ease some of their financial burden. Lee can no longer work like he used to. In addition to the medical bills, they will have their normal day-to-day living costs – rent, household bills, food, gas, etc.

We are appealing to you to donate what you can spare. If everyone who reads this donates $1, $5, or even $10 it will help make a dent in Lee’s medical bills. If you can donate even more, thank you so much for your generosity.

Any amount will help and is sincerely appreciated. We also appeal to you to share this GoFundMe on your social media accounts, texts to friends, and emails to co-workers. We appreciate your support in garnering visibility for this fundraiser.

And last, but not least, we ask for your prayers. Prayers that the tumor will shrink, prayers for strength for Lee and his family, and prayers for guidance of the medical professionals. Let’s show the Marsh Family what prayer warriors can achieve!

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and we will provide regular updates as and when we can.