What is this all about?

Well, I'm glad you asked! My cousin, Mike (officially Vernon, aka "Stoney"), has had a rough 2009 and 2010 so far. This blog is to help get the word out and, hopefully, get his family some help. Here's his story:

Meet the Stonestreets. Vernon, who is often called Mike or “Stoney,” is a Union Sheet Metal Worker in Southern Indiana. Vernon enjoys hunting and providing for his family. JoAnn is a kind, sweet, bank worker turned stay-at-home mom turned factory worker. Many would tell you that they have never heard her raise her voice to anyone. Nicole is a ten year old girl who loves soccer. Nicole went hunting with a pink rifle with her dad, but lately prefers being with her friends. Hunter is nine. He really enjoys cars and can tell you what make, model, and year just drove down the street.

The family lives in a modest house in need of some serious repairs. Nicole and Hunter currently share a room, which as you can imagine, is not the ideal situation for anyone in the house. Vernon was turning an entry room into a bedroom for Nicole, but the roof leaks so he was stopped before ever starting. There are several other leaky spots that Vernon would like to fix, but the family just can’t afford the material right now. Vernon just fixed the air conditioner so the house isn’t quite so hot. The rooms are a little small, but JoAnn would tell you, that just makes the family close. Despite the less than ideal situation, the family has never complained and instead has felt blessed to have a place to call their own.

Vernon and JoAnn were high school sweethearts who married. Throughout the marriage, Vernon was laid off and sent to work. After a few years, the couple had a beautiful baby girl, Nicole. A few years later, the family was expecting a new edition, and life was coming up roses for the young family.

But, immediately after the birth of their second child, Hunter, JoAnn's health was in jeopardy. Her blood pressure dropped unexpectedly. The doctors were frantically trying to help her. Vernon stayed right by her side, a dedicated husband. Within a few days, JoAnn was enjoying her new bundle of joy, Hunter. Everyone thought the worst was over.

Until a few years later, Hunter was diagnosed with Autism. Most of the extended family had a hard time accepting this, but Vernon and JoAnn began researching and finding ways to help their son through life. Vernon and JoAnn have always felt so blessed to have Hunter. The extended family was amazed at how Vernon and JoAnn kept it together in the midst of such turmoil.

In 2005, Vernon’s brother-in-law, Mike, had to have heart surgery due to misshapen valve with which he was born. Mike had to go to Indianapolis for this surgery. Vernon and JoAnn helped take care of Mike’s five kids while Sharon, Vernon’s sister and Mike’s wife, was staying with Mike in Indianapolis. Although the surgery was successful, Mike suffered a complication. Mike was put into a medical coma for almost a month while the doctor’s treated him for the complication. Vernon and JoAnn were a constant comfort for Sharon and the kids.

For the Stonestreets, 2009 was a rough year that spilt over into 2010. In early 2009, Vernon’s father, Mike (Yes, there are a lot of Mikes in this family!), was in an accident. Mike has been an insulin-dependent diabetic since childhood. One day, his blood sugar dropped very low. So low, in fact, that Mike drove onto a sidewalk, stopped, and handed a stranger his wallet telling the stranger that he didn’t know who he was. Luckily, the stranger was a good Samaritan and called an ambulance. Mike quickly recovered and started a new diabetic medicine. The Stonestreets felt lucky that Mike was not injured or did not injure anyone else.

In March 2009, Vernon’s grandmother, Betty, was in a car accident which actually turned out to be a miracle. Betty’s heart valve was not working properly, and she passed out while driving when the vavle failed to open and pump her blood. Her car side-swipped two parked vehicles and flipped over. The doctors said that the impact of the car accident probably jostled the valve causing it work again. Betty had major heart surgery where her valve was replaced. The Stonestreet luck prevailed, and Betty has returned to work and her family as good as new.

More recently, Vernon's mom, Lynda, was diagnosed with duodenal cancer, a rare cancer of the intestines. After researching the cancer and the treatments, the outcome seemed bleak. Lynda endured a seven-hour surgery, several chemotherapy treatments, and all the side-effects of chemotherapy. Lynda, however, was a fighter. She was cancer-free at Christmas 2009. Once again, the Stonestreets felt lucky and blessed that Lynda had pulled through without any major complications.

While Lynda was battling cancer, Nicole, the bubbly daughter, had a seizure while at school playing with her friends. Everyone commented at how lucky it was that Nicole does not remember it. Nicole has tolerated several diagnostic tests to figure out her epilepsy. The Stonestreets remain hopeful that she will out-grow it and be seizure free.

As Lynda went to the doctor to have her port removed (a painful medical device that allowed easy access for the chemotherapy treatment) and Nicole was being tested for epilepsy, JoAnn learned that she has stage 3 melanoma. One of the first statistics was that only 40% of patients in her position live more than 5 years after treatment.

JoAnn had a surgery to put a drainage tube in her leg. A few months later, she had a second surgery to insert a new drainage tube and remove the cancer in Indianapolis. The surgery was a success, but now, JoAnn is embarking upon a new journey to ensure that she is cancer-free. Before JoAnn begins radiation and/or chemotherapy, she is having a surgery to correct a vertebra which has been causing her a lot of pain. With the size of her cancer, the doctor in Indianapolis has significantly decreased the statistics of survival for 5 years.

JoAnn took a few years off of work when Mike was working steadily to raise the kids. Since both kids are in school and with the economy and lay offs, she was working at a Toyota Factory. After being diagnosed with the cancer in her leg, she has taken time off of work for treatment. She has been granted a very small social security disability income while Mike is laid off. When Mike returns to work, her check will either be decreased or stopped.

The Stonestreets’ luck has continued, though. So far, they have received an outpouring of support from their extended family, friends, and church. People have brought over food and helped take care of the kids. Their church, the Fort Branch Wesleyan Church, is holding a fundraiser for the family. Watch this page for more information.

Unfortunately, the luck hasn’t continued for the washing machine. The washing machine is dead. The family is looking for a new, gently used washing machine to help keep the family in clean clothes!

During all of these trying times, the Stonestreets have felt blessed and lucky that they weren’t worse. They are humbled by knowing that many people have these hard times and don’t make it through to the other side with such luck as they have. Despite the hardships and hard times, Vernon and JoAnn’s love, patience, and positive attitudes have propelled them through.