Family Struggles With Heartache

A family in Bayou La Batre struggles as their three-year-old boy has terminal cancer.  They say they can’t even afford burial.
Published: Sun, March 14, 2010 - 10:25 pm CST
BAYOU LA BATRE, Alabama - Jeremy Collier leafs through a photo album of his three-year-old son Brodie. The little boy was diagnosed with terminal cancer a year ago. His needs are tended to at home while they await the inevitable.

“Because you have to look at a three year old child and tell him ‘mom and dad can't fix this’ and that's what hurts most of all,” says father Jeremy Collier. Jeremy says he hasn't been able to keep a job because he's had to tend to his son's medical needs. His wife cares for their two other children with a fourth on the way.

“It's hard to have to see your son laying there he's not doing the stuff he wants to do like get up and play with his sister, brother, his toys,” says Jeremy. Medical supplies litter the home and expenses have piled up to the point where Jeremy says they can't even afford Brodie's burial.

“When you're in this situation you can't go nowhere, your prison is your home,” says Jeremy. Jeremy says asking for help is almost as tough as making ends meet.

“You want to be able to provide for your family it takes pride away from you when you have to go out and ask can you help me, can you please help me with this,” says Jeremy. Jeremy says they're reaching out to the community for help and have gotten some assistance from local restaurants and Catholic Social Services. If you can help there are a variety of venues. The Bayou Pharmacy and CVS have donation areas for the Colliers. Jeremy also has a PO Box for donations.

PO Box 926
Bayou La Batre, AL 36509
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Prayers for peace and comfort for this poor family.

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Prayers for Brodie’s family.  I had a classmate who lost a son to the same horrible cancer.  It has been 4 years since he went to be with our heavenly father.  There is no shame is asking for help, in fact it shows that you are a strong father and man.  I am so sorry for your loss and I pray for strength for you and your family as you weather this part of the journey.  Know that Brodie is no longer in pain, no longer sick and is playing in Heaven’s Playground, healthy and happy.  Brodie will always be a part of you and he will always be with you.

Again, my sincerest condolences.

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prayers for jeremy family broodie passed this morning Rip BROODIE COLLIER

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to all the people that has been informedand here and update on broodie collier he passed today about 11:14 am on 4-16-10 prayers for jeremy family

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Jeremy,

I agree with lovepeace. There is no shame whatsoever in asking for help when you need it. Your most important job is to be there with your family,to support and love each other,and to cherish the memories you are making every second of every day. I am going to private message you some resources that might help,from my experience in the health care field. You may know about them,or you may not. Hopefully some of these will help. God bless you and your precious family!

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Jeremy,  we too had a son die of neuroblastoma.  There is nothing worse than watching your son die.  My prayers are with you and your family.  There is little anyone can say or do that will help your pain.  Just know that your little guy will soon no longer be in pain. It has been 22 years since our little boy died.  I will tell you that not a day goes by that we don’t think about him.  After awhile, your memories will be of the good times and you will be able to smile and laugh when you talk about him.  Even now, the tears are still flowing.  Know that there are many, many people praying for you and your family.  God bless!

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For Donationsyou Can Mail them to
Jeremy Collier
P.O. Box 926
Bayou La Batre,AL. 36509

This Is The Story of the strongest man I have ever met
and he is only 3 years old and his name is
Brodie M. Collier

  This is a Child that has been through alot the Year of 2009. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma stage 4 at USA Childrens and womens hospital in Mobile,AL.. We found this from a Car wreck on jan 14 of 2009 and from then to jan 22 we were at USA and we requested to have him transfered to St. Jude in memphis,TN. Where brodie recived 15 round of Chemotherapy and 1 round of radiation and 9 different procedures. during first part of feburary to the middle of march 53 days Brodie Was sedated and paralyzed. During this time Brodie’s Mom could not handle the stress of it all so I Stayed with brodie day in and day out Staying at his bedside. At the end of march just before brodie was brought out of Sedation the put a trach in. June 2 2009 at 6:30am Brodie Went into Surgery to Removed this football size tumor from his body, the Surgery ended a 5:30pm that afternoon.For a few months we thought we had this cancer Licked but on Nov 28 2009 the doctor told me that he had 6 more tumors and there was nothing they could do.The doctor said we are going to do radiation for a comfort method but nothing more so we came home on Dec 1 2009 and transfered Brodie’s Care back to USA Childrens and Womens Hospital. Brodie under went Radiation here in mobile at USA and 1 round of Chemotherapy. Now Brodie is not doing well at all and they are telling me and my family it will not be much longer for Brodie. This is something that no one can teach how to handle or tell you how to handle but as for me I made it my mission to be the corner Stone for the Family an the Strength. I know that many people are want to help my family even in the hard economic times we are seeing today and My family thank you for everything that everyone has done and doing for us and keep Brodie in your Prayers
Signed,
Jeremy A. Collier
Brodie’s Father

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i am glad he is not asking our muslin president for help and where do you send donations?

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No shame, Jeremy!  Everybody has to ask for help in one way or another at some point- whether it be money or something else.  Good for you for just being there for your son, which is probably what he needs more than anything.  So sorry that you have to deal with this. I have a 2 year old and I can’t even imagine having to tell him that I can’t fix a problem that he’s dealing with.  Kids that young are so innocent and think that we can do anything.  They shouldn’t have to know suffering.  God bless you and your family. You have beautiful children and I hope you can cherish every moment together without worrying too much about things like money.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to your community- that’s why you have one!

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Heartbreaking.  I wish they would’ve given the PO Box info out.

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