Help Joe

Hi,

On 30th October 2021 Joe and I were married, after a previously very abusive marriage Joe has healed my heart.

on 13th December Joe began his dream job - a way of providing properly for our family after years of working at Tesco…..things were really looking up for our little family.

unfortunately within days of starting his new job Joe started to become unwell, sleeping all of the time, his co-ordination seemed to be ‘off’ he was struggling with severe shoulder pain and headaches.

That didn’t stop Joe doing what he does best - volunteering to be Santa for local events Joe brought lots of Christmas cheer to a lot of children.

Joe has been an avid volunteer all of his life, from St. John’s ambulance to community volunteer to big events - Joe was always there. He has battled obesity and overcome so much adversity.

By Christmas Eve Joes face had become paralysed on one side and hospital told him he had Bell’s palsy.

sadly by Boxing Day it was clear this wasn’t a simple Bell’s palsy, Joes entire face was paralysed, he was struggling with light sensitivity, he was struggling to walk and his balance was awful. In addition his speech had become unclear. Joe was sent by the emergency doctors to the hospital where he stayed for 2 weeks and was tested for everything this could have been. Results showed lymphocytes in Joes brain, spinal fluid and blood. He had enlarged lymph nodes in his neck, groin and gastric junction and his spleen was twice the size it should be.

Doctors started to believe this was a rare cancer but were unable to get a biopsy of the lymph nodes in his neck and so set about taking a second lumbar puncture which was sent away for specialist testing, they then took a bone marrow biopsy.

We are still awaiting confirmation that this is as suspected central nervous system lymphoma- a very rare cancer.

Sadly even if this is not the case Joe has to give up his dream job as he is unable to pass the physical side of his job because of the central nervous system disorder.

Joe desperately needs a specialist eye test as he now has an ectopion of his right eye, this test costs £105….

In addition whilst benefits to support us are being organised we are struggling with paying even basic bills….with no wage coming in it’s almost impossible to survive!

Please if you can (and only if you can) could you donate to make the next few months easier for Joe so he doesn’t need to worry about supporting me and Megan financially and is able to concentrate on his recovery.