MasonStrong Support Mason's Fight For His Life.

08/28/2025

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in updates but we have been quite busy! We traveled to North Carolina this past weekend to lay my beautiful cousin Leah to rest. It was good to see family I haven't seen in over 25 years although the reason for our reunion was so sad. I am finally healed from my surgery and beginning to feel somewhat better. Doctors have me on a few new medicines to help with my symptoms, but the side effects are hard to deal with at times. Any improvement is good though! We are in the process of having me become Mason's paid caretaker full time now. The process has taken over a year and I still have quite a bit of CPR and first aid training to complete before I am able to become his full time caretaker. Things are going well for Mason for now. At his last appointment with the urologist this past week, they checked his skin grafts and amount of scar tissue he has in the area. The disease that originally caused all of his issues has caused really extensive scarring all throughout his body making surgeries and complete healing rather difficult. Two of his skin grafts on his private area are looking great, but the one on the bottom hasn't done as well. His private area is open right now to allow the skin grafts to take and to be able to make a new channel for his soon to be new urethra. Doctors have us applying steroid cream a few times a day to soften the scarring in order to hopefully make his next surgery more successful. His next surgery is scheduled for December 15th of this year. They will be attempting to replace the bad skin graft with a new one using skin from his bottom lip. Also during the surgery they will be making a new urethra for him using the good skin grafts and closing the area. He has what's called a urethrostomy that he currently is able to urinate through. They will also be closing that as well so he will be able to urinate normally again. We are PRAYING they will be able to do all of this at once and successfully, but they may only be able to do the new skin graft this time with the rebuild of his urethra and closure of the area at a later date. This is a painfully long and drawn out procesa, but will ultimately be worth it in the end! He has some increased phantom pains lately as well as new pain in his knees. We will be visiting the prosthetist next week to have his legs recasted for new prosthetics in hopes of helping his pain some. He will also be switching from his myoelectric hands to myoelectric hooks. This is because they allow him to have more grip and are just better for him. The hands are more for a cosmetic look whereas the hooks allow to him live life a little easier and be able to use his hands in a more functional way. As far as our financial situation right now, it's not the best. Traveling lately and doctors appointments have completely drained us. We had to borrow money to attend the funeral, but I couldn't live with myself if I hadn't gone. Leah was not only my cousin, but my BEST friend. We do continue to struggle financially and trying to get back on our feet has proved our biggest challenge. As soon as we get ahead, something comes and knocks us right back down. We pray daily that God will continue to provide and bring us through the storm. Life is so much harder with the constant added stress of worrying whether I'll be able to keep the lights and water on or pay our rent monthly. Things are improving some, but we are drowning while we try to recover from what these past few years have thrown at us. We ask that you please continue to pray for Mason and our family. Please share our GoFundMe or donate if you're able. Even the smallest amount helps in the biggest ways. I will continue to update as we go along and we can't thank everyone enough for their continued prayers and support.

God bless,
The McMillan Family ❤️

❤️ GoFundMe:
https://gofund.me/b24a3d9e

❤️ CashApp: $chardizzle88

❤️PayPal: paypal.me/themomster88

❤️We also have Zelle and checks are great too! Please just message me for the info!

08/28/2025

Hey everyone! Life has been a whirlwind lately, and while there has been progress, it has not come without hardship. This past weekend we traveled to North Carolina to lay my beloved cousin Leah to rest—a heartbreaking farewell, but also an opportunity to reconnect with family I had not seen in more than 25 years. As I continue to heal from my own surgery and adjust to new medications, I am working through the difficult process of becoming Mason’s full-time paid caretaker. His journey remains painfully long and complex. Recent appointments revealed progress in some of his skin grafts, while others need further surgical intervention. His next surgery, scheduled for December 15th, will be a major step forward, and we are holding onto hope that it will bring him closer to healing and regaining function. Mason also faces new challenges with phantom and joint pain, and we are preparing him for new prosthetics that will hopefully bring more comfort and independence. Yet, alongside the medical hurdles, the financial strain continues to weigh heavily. Traveling to the funeral, school clothes, inflating food costs, travel, and ongoing medical expenses have left us struggling just to keep up with basic needs. Still, we remain grounded in faith, believing that God will continue to provide. We humbly ask for your continued prayers, encouragement, and if possible, your support through donations or sharing our GoFundMe. Every bit of kindness extended to us helps carry the weight of this journey, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who continues to walk alongside our family.

God bless,
The McMillan Family ❤️

❤️GoFundMe:
https://gofund.me/b24a3d9e

❤️Cashapp: $chardizzle88

❤️We also have Zelle, PayPal, and checks are always welcome too! Please just message me for more information!

08/02/2025

Hello everyone, it's Charde. I wanted to take a moment to share an update on my journey as I continue to recover from abdominal surgery, where my left o***y was removed and biopsies were taken. This past year has been a relentless battle with my health, leading to three surgeries and still leaving doctors puzzled about my condition. The burden of my illness has weighed heavily on our family, especially on my husband, who has taken on the immense responsibility of caring for our children and managing the household while juggling all the bills. It breaks my heart to see him stretched so thin, and I wish I could contribute more during this challenging time.

In addition to my situation, our son Mason has upcoming appointments this month to monitor the progress of his skin grafting and to schedule his next surgery. The travel for these appointments adds another layer of stress as we must make a three-hour trip each way. With our financial struggles mounting, we are left wondering how we will manage these trips alongside our other obligations. The weight of overdue rent and mounting bills creates an overwhelming atmosphere of anxiety that looms over us daily. Our faith in God has been our anchor, guiding us through this tumultuous period, but we feel desperate for answers regarding my health. The lack of progress here in Charleston prompts us to consider traveling to the Cleveland Clinic for specialized care that may provide the solutions we seek.

It's hard to express just how debilitating my illness has been. I find myself confined to the couch, feeling defeated by the lack of answers despite countless consultations, tests, and surgeries. As we reach out for help, my greatest hope is to avoid losing our home or having our utilities disconnected. My husband’s ability to provide for our family has also been hindered by my condition, as he can’t return to work until I am capable of caring for Mason and the other children. The uncertainty surrounding my recovery has left me at a loss, emotionally drained and overwhelmed. I ask for your prayers for Mason and our family during this time. If you find it in your heart to help, it would mean the world to us, as we aim to keep our lives afloat while trusting that God will guide us through this illness. Thank you for your support, prayers, and kindness.

God bless,
The McMillan Family ❤️

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e39816cd
CashApp: $chardizzle88

We also have Zelle and checks are fine too! Just message me for our information ❤️

07/30/2025

Charde is out of surgery and in a lot of pain. Still no answers as of yet but the doctor took out her left o***y and a bunch of biopsy samples from her uterus. PLEASE pray we get some kind of answers soon. She has been so miserable for so long. 😕

Please continue to pray for our family. We can't thank everyone enough for your support as we continue to struggle to meet our daily needs and bills.

GoFundMe:

Hi, my name is Charde McMillan, and I’m fundraising for my son Maso… Charde McMillan needs your support for Help Mason recover after 4 amputations from sepsis

07/20/2025

Hello everyone! I wanted to take a moment to share our current situation, which has been incredibly challenging for us. Right now, things are not going so great. We’re falling behind on our rent and facing the imminent threat of our electricity being shut off on the 24th of this month. The weight of these financial burdens feels like it’s pulling us under, and despite our best efforts to stay afloat, we are drowning in bills.
On top of everything, Charde is scheduled for surgery on July 29th. We are hopeful that this procedure will finally shed light on the health issues she has been battling, as she’s been suffering from severe stomach pain and has lost nearly 35 pounds since March. It's heartbreaking to see her so miserable, and we eagerly await answers that could help improve her condition. Additionally, Mason has several upcoming appointments that will add to our already mounting travel expenses, further complicating our situation.
We find ourselves praying every day for a miracle, asking for God to guide us through this tough time as we navigate these medical hardships and financial struggles. We are reaching out to our community in hopes of finding support; any assistance toward our rent or electric bills would make a significant difference. The stress of these uncertainties is unimaginable, but we are deeply grateful for the selflessness and unwavering support we’ve received from so many of you. Thank you for considering helping us—your kindness is a light in our darkest moments, and we truly couldn’t get through this without you.

God bless,
The McMillan Family ❤️

*The electric can be paid directly at this website:
https://webpayments.billmatrix.com/AEPAPCWeb BillMatrix - Welcome

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e39816cd

CashApp: $chardizzle88

The Alyssa HouseAkron Children's HospitalAkron Children's

07/19/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16YUErDNwK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

07/13/2025

Hey everyone! It’s Charde, and I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the donations towards our air conditioner repair. Thanks to your kindness, we are finally able to keep cool! I apologize for the lack of updates recently; I’ve been facing some debilitating health issues that have kept me mostly confined to our couch for the past month. For over two years, I have struggled with severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and unexpected weight loss. Despite having my gallbladder and appendix removed and trying numerous tests and medications, I still find no relief—if anything, my condition seems to worsen. It’s become increasingly challenging to function on a daily basis, and I have an exploratory surgery scheduled for July 29 in hopes of finally getting some answers.
In the meantime, my husband has been juggling all the responsibilities at home, from caring for the kids to managing the household, and it’s been a huge burden for him. We’re really struggling to make ends meet, especially since I haven’t been able to work. As a result, we’re falling behind on rent compounded by unexpected repairs that have come directly out of our own pockets due to our landlord's unfortunate situation. Financial stress has been overwhelming; we were already barely scraping by before my illness, and now I find myself worried sick about how we will cover basic necessities such as rent, lights, and water. It often feels like it's one challenge after another, and I pray every day for answers to my medical problems and the hope to get back to some semblance of normal life.
On a brighter note, I’m excited to share that Mason has his follow-up appointment with urology in August to assess his skin grafting and schedule his next surgery. He’s also due for a recasting of his leg prosthetics, a normal procedure for amputees dealing with muscle atrophy. And let’s not forget, Mason’s birthday is on July 18! He’s turning 18—isn’t that incredible? We are so grateful to witness his growth and resilience. We thank God every day for saving our son. Through all of this, we ask that you keep Mason and our family in your prayers. As we navigate this tough patch, any financial support to help us through would be immensely appreciated. Thank you all for your love and support; it truly means the world to us.

God bless.
The McMillan Family ❤️

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e39816cd
CashApp: $chardizzle88
PayPal:

06/29/2025

Dear wonderful supporters,
We're reaching out today with a heavy heart and a difficult update. As much as we cherish sharing positive progress, the reality is that we're facing several significant challenges that are impacting our family deeply right now.
The most immediate and pressing issue is our home's air conditioning. For over a week now, our central AC has been blowing warmish air, forcing us to turn it off completely. As many of you know from our previous updates, we live in a 3000 sq ft, two-story house. To cope with the rising temperatures, we've sectioned off the downstairs living room and den and are relying on a single 5000 BTU window AC unit and four high-powered fans. This has been our only means of staying remotely cool and comfortable. The heat upstairs has become unbearable, forcing all of us to sleep downstairs on couches and air mattresses.
We've been trying desperately to contact our landlord for over a week without any success. We value our relationship with him, especially after living here for almost two years and always paying rent on time. However, in the past year, we've noticed a concerning pattern of him being incarcerated frequently, which has made communication incredibly difficult. Since we can't get in touch and the situation is becoming unbearable, we're faced with the difficult decision of getting the AC repaired ourselves and deducting the cost from our rent. The problem is, with July's rent and bills already paid, we have absolutely no leftover funds to cover this essential repair. It's a deeply frustrating and complicated situation that we truly didn't anticipate.
On a more personal note, Mason is doing well with his physical recovery. His skin grafts look perfect, and he's in good spirits, even trying new things for himself. We have his next appointment in August, where we'll be scheduling his next surgery to repair his urethra and groin area. We continue to care for Mason's needs about 85% of the time, as he's not yet self-sufficient and still struggles with tasks many of us take for granted. It's often heartbreaking to witness his frustrations, but incredibly rewarding to see him conquer challenges.
Charde is also facing her own significant health battles. She's been trying to get a diagnosis for two years. While she's had her appendix and gallbladder removed in the past year, she continues to suffer from debilitating stomach pain daily. This pain significantly impacts her ability to function, and she's been feeling quite miserable. She has an exploratory surgery coming up soon, which we hope will finally shed some light on her condition and provide answers.
It truly feels like challenges are constantly piling up. We can't seem to catch our breath or get ahead. Things had been progressing relatively well for us until the AC broke and Charde's health took a turn. The stress is currently overwhelming. To add to the strain, Dad also desperately needs surgery to repair a torn ACL in his knee, and he's been shouldering a lot of the burden lately.
We know this is a lot of difficult news, and we wouldn't ask for anything if it weren't absolutely necessary. Your continued prayers and support mean the world to us. Everything feels incredibly heavy right now, and we are so grateful for any help you can offer.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and for your unwavering kindness.

With deepest gratitude,
The McMillan Family ❤️

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e39816cd
CashApp: $chardizzle88
PayPal:

06/25/2025

We have the living room and den blocked off and a window unit and three high powered fans running to keep us somewhat cool. Our central air either isn't able to keep up with this extreme heat or isn't working properly. Either way, we've tried everything we can do to get it cooler and we've contacted our landlord with no response as of yet. Last night we pushed the couches together and brought out the air mattresses and all of us had a big sleepover in the living room. It's the only place in the house cool and comfortable enough to spend any amount of time in. We are hanging in there and praying this extreme heat wave passes soon! Please continue to pray for Mason and our family!

God bless,
The McMillan Family❤️

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e39816cd
CashApp: $chardizzle88

06/23/2025

Hey everyone, we're really in a tough spot here in West Virginia, smack in the middle of an extreme heat wave. We've got an official warning, the humidity is incredibly high, and there's no rain in the forecast for a whole week. It was immediately noticeable this morning when we came downstairs – it's already hot, hitting 82 degrees inside, and the upstairs is even worse. Our central air unit is on, but the air isn't getting cold at all, leading us to suspect we might have a freon leak.
We tried desperately to get some relief by buying a 5000 BTU window unit, as it was honestly all we could afford right now, but it's just not making a significant difference against this heat. We've got every fan we own running, but it feels like we're moving hot air around. We genuinely don't know what else to do to cope with these temperatures inside. If anyone out there has any helpful ideas or could possibly offer some kind of assistance, we would be so, so incredibly grateful for any help at all.

God bless,
The McMillan Family ❤️

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e39816cd

CashApp: $chardizzle88

PayPal:

06/21/2025

Hello everyone, we're finding ourselves in a pretty tough spot financially this month and wanted to be open about it. The costs associated with traveling for doctor's appointments, combined with a really high electric bill, have left us struggling to keep up with everything. We're also feeling the pinch acutely at the grocery store as food prices climb, and balancing that with Mason's needs and getting the kids the summer clothes they need (they're growing like weeds!) is proving difficult. Our current income covers rent and just a few other recurring bills, which means affording our basic needs right now is a real challenge. We also need two new tires on our van because they're pretty bald from so much travelijg. If anyone is able to offer any help at all, it would mean the world to us. We are also so grateful for your continued prayers for Mason and for our family.

God bless,
The McMillan Family ❤️

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e39816cd
CashApp: $chardizzle88
PayPal: (Jeff Welch)

06/17/2025

Dear friends and community,

We find ourselves reaching out during a particularly challenging time, as we could really use some financial assistance. Our family is struggling to keep up with our bills, and the looming threat of having our electricity shut off weighs heavily on our minds. The summer electric prices have soared to astronomical levels, making it increasingly difficult to manage our expenses. It’s disheartening to think that something as basic as electricity could soon be out of reach for us.

In addition to our financial burdens, we are facing a long journey this Wednesday—a four-hour drive to accompany our son, Mason, to a crucial appointment. It’s an exhausting trek, both physically and emotionally, but one that is necessary for his well-being. The strain on our finances continues as we try to navigate our way back to a semblance of normal life while ensuring that Mason receives the care he needs.

We humbly ask for your prayers for Mason and our entire family during this time. Your support, whether through financial assistance or kind thoughts, means the world to us as we grapple with these struggles. We believe that with a little help, we can find our way through this difficult chapter.

God bless you all,

The McMillan Family ❤️

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/e39816cd

CashApp: $chardizzle88