a good you can do

[rm]

britgeekgrrl's husband has been battling cancer for a couple of years now. Sadly, that battle is almost over and sooner than was expected. If you've ever lost a loved-one you know that death-related expenses can be massive, even when choosing the most affordable and simple options, as is the case here. Cremation and associated costs are expected to run about $1,400 and it's just not in a budget that thought the timeline on this was going to run for several more months. As kshandra notes in her own post on the subject, we're "also hoping to cover Johanna's day-to-day expenses for a while as she sadly does not qualify for Family Medical Leave Act coverage and only has about 45 hours of PTO available to her at work."

I've known britgeekgrrl online for years and have met her at cons (she is a costumer and, as I put it, of the Whoniverse (a fandom, it's worth noting, that has led to a lot of discussions around here about the connection between death and hope)), although I've never had the pleasure of meeting her husband. I've watched her struggle with the little bullshit life deals all of us and figure it out, and then, sadly have to rise to this particular set of events with dignity and focus in conditions where it would be hard for anyone to have either.

There's not much we can really do for other people, and all of us wind up with our own set of circumstances, but I really believe -- I have to believe -- that there's service and value each in seeing people in, through, and out of this life, even if we don't have children, even if we never have to tend to a loved-one near the end.

So this is me asking for a favor, not just because britgeekgrrl and her husband need your help so that the end of their time together isn't focused on funereal financial worries, but because in a awful situation this is a good you can do even if death is not just a tragic thing, but an ordinary thing.

So, if you've got and money to spare, and I know many of us don't in this economy and this season, please PayPal a little bit to johanna_mead@yahoo.com Please select Gift (under Personal) under transaction to reduce the Paypal fee situation. Boosting the signal is also welcome.

I would very much like her to be able to stop worrying about the financial aspect of at least the cremation today, and I believe we can make that happen.

ETA: britgeekgrrl reports that the cremation and related expenses have been covered by everyone's generosity. Additional donations she's received will also allow her to bring in home nursing aides to make this easier on both her and Alex. THANK YOU, INTERNETS.

Comments

[rm.livejournal.com]

Someone is trying to figure out how to set up the charity Paypal thing for her, but right now, her personal email address up there has one attached (I need to make that clearer in the post).

Also, please know that the Internet has got your back too. When you need us, say the word. Money's the last shit anyone should have to worry about in these circumstances, but between our healthcare and death industries, it's usually near the top of the list.

[dr-is-in.livejournal.com]

I am doing ok right now....Bill's aunt just paid my rent for me this month and xenutia1 is sending me some money for gas and stuff, and various family members keep delivering food to the hospital for me because I only go home every other day and only for a few hours to get cleaned up and check the mail and the house. Work is being understanding to the point of I at least have a job when I can go back...but we have no emergency leave fund or anything, which sucks.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Let us know if you'll need help for January, especially since a lot of people go away at the end of December, and it's better to reach out for then sooner rather than later. If I can make a thousand people on the Internet listen to me whine about my tailor, I can sure as hell make sure you get some financial/logistical support.

[dr-is-in.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hun, I really appreciate it. I'll put up a post on my journal in a bit. A few things have happened with him over the last 2 days, and it seems like any progress hes made has gone again.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I thought he was out of the woods for now!

[dr-is-in.livejournal.com]

He coded during dialysis yesterday.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Fucking hell! (sorry, that's not useful, but I can't even imagine what a grueling thing you're going through here).

[britgeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh good lord, I'm so sorry to hear this, and so touched that you've got the bandwidth to think of anything/anyone else during this time.

I really appreciate your words and actions. Thank you.

[dr-is-in.livejournal.com]

Internet is a wonderful distraction when you really don't want to think about whats going on. And its been a great help to be able to stay connected to people to talk to. The hospital he's at is really good and the only one in the area that has wireless access for the patients and visitors.