LI Wife On Husband's Devastating Illness: 'It's A Miracle He Is Alive'

SAG HARBOR, NY — A Sag Harbor family faced with devastating illness has found hope and solace in the arms of a caring community that's come together to help.

Michal Carty, a familiar face at the Provisions market in Sag Harbor, has been unable to work due to her husband Damian's severe illness. She also home schools her son, who also was born with sickle cell anemia, the same illness her husband has been battling.

Recently, Damian was hospitalized for more than a month; he has since been released and is recuperating.

A GoFundMe page, “Michal & Damian Carty” was created by Michal's colleagues at Provisions, where she works in Sag Harbor.

“Michal, a long-time coworker and friend, has been unable to work for the past few weeks due to her husband Damian's illness,” the page said.

Damian was hospitalized for four weeks and has been unable to contribute to the family income or care for their 3-year-old son, the page said.

“The family is facing mounting medical bills and loss of income and on top of that their lease has ended, so they must have enough money for the first month, last month and month security to move,” the page said. “The Carty family has lived and worked in our South Fork community for over 10 years, and we are asking the community to come together and help support them in their time of need.”

Speaking with Patch, Michal said her husband's sickle cell anemia affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all part of the body. Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they move easily through blood vessels, she said. But for those with sickle cell anemia, some red blood cells are shaped like sickles, or crescent moons, also becoming rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow, she said.

“My husband receives blood transfusions intermittently to increase his hemoglobin so that the blood is able to flow throughout his body, preventing blood clots and other complications,” she said.

He also suffers from hypertension, renal failure, and goes to dialysis three days per week, she said.

But despite his daunting physical challenges, their love prevails.

“Damian and I are from Jamaica,” Michal said. “We met each other through a mutual friend. When I first learned he had this grave illness, it was a lot to take in, but our love was far too deep for us to let go. My husband is a true inspiration to me. I admire him very much; sickle cell disease is very difficult to deal with, and he does not allow his ailments to hold him back from trying to achieve goals in life for his family.”

But her husband's illness is not the only fear that fills her heart.

“Our sweet little boy, who we love so much, was also born with sickle cell anemia,” Michal said. “He is now doing homeschooling due to the fact of continuously contracting RSV in school, which affects him more seriously because of his ailment — and was hospitalized many times.”

A month ago, her husband contracted meta pneumonovirus, Michal said. He was hospitalized for and placed on a ventilator. The doctor said the virus had gotten inside his lungs and blood stream; he could not breathe, his hemoglobin was so low. They gave him an exchange transfusion, replacing his blood, she said.

“I asked the doctor how long he would be on the ventilator; they were not sure. I was so scared. I started to cry, thinking I might lose my husband — knowing I just lost my beloved mother two years ago and my son would be fatherless.”

Michal said she was alone with her son, not able to work because he is homeschooled.

“I have no one to rely on to help me watch him,” she said. “I became more concerned about how I was going to manage paying the bills, the rent, buy food — and afford another place, knowing we have to move soon.”

She and her husband applied to get their names on the Housing Authority's list for affordable housing, “But the wait is too long.”

And then, Michal said, things got even harder: “My son asked, 'When is Daddy coming home?' Tears filled my eyes. I did not know what to say. Then, I remembered this Bible scripture. ' The Lord will never leave nor forsake you,'” she said.

Every day, Michal recited that Scripture. “My faith grew stronger, and I began believing that, yes, He will bring him home and will find a way to take care of our needs. I looked at my son and said with confidence, 'Daddy's coming home very soon.'”

Her faith was a source of strength throughout the unthinkable, Michal said. “I told my son that the Lord will provide, which he certainly had done — because he showed me that He heard my cry and saw my pain. Through all the trials I faced, what helps me to remain strong for my family is believing that that Lord can turn the impossibilities into possibilities. He sent my Provisions family and the community to help us in our greatest time of need, and also brought my husband home. The doctor said it's a miracle he is alive.”

Michal said she is forever grateful for her work colleagues. “I have been working at Provisions for a long time; the people in the community are very wonderful to me. I have grown to love them. My friends at work, who are like my family, have been by my side since Day 1, through all the trials I faced. I love you.”

She added: “To everyone who came together to help my family and I to rise above our circumstances, thank you for your utmost love and support. This makes me realize I am not alone. God bless you all. I love you.”

The GoFundMe page added: “Our prayers are with them as she cares for them both — and, still being unable to work, this fund has brought tears to her eyes to know that she is not alone is this difficult time.”

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.