LI Wife on husband's devastating illness: 'It's a miracle he's alive'

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

Michal Carty, a familiar face at Provisions Market in Sag Harbor, has been unable to work due to her husband Damian's serious illness. She also homeschools her son, who was also born with sickle cell disease, the same disease her husband battled.

Recently, Damian was hospitalized for over a month. he has since been released and is recovering.

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

“Michal, a longtime bestie and friend, has been unable to work for the past few weeks due to her husband Demian's illness,” the page said.

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

“The family is dealing with mounting medical bills and loss of income plus the lease is up so they need to have enough money for the first month's insurance, the month before and the month 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 disease affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they move easily through blood vessels, he said. But for those with sickle cell disease, some sickle- or crescent-shaped red blood cells also become stiff and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow, he said.

“My husband receives blood transfusions periodically to increase his hemoglobin so blood can flow throughout his body, preventing blood clots and other complications,” she said.

He also suffers from high blood pressure, kidney failure and goes on dialysis three days a week, she said.

But despite his daunting physical challenges, their love prevails.

“Damian and I are from Jamaica,” Michal said. “We met through a mutual friend. When I first learned she had this serious illness, it was a lot to take in, but our love was too deep to let her go. My husband is a true inspiration to me. I admire him a lot. Sickle cell disease is very difficult to deal with and he does not let his conditions stop him 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 baby boy, who we love so much, was also born with sickle cell disease,” Michal said. “He's homeschooling now due to the fact that he keeps getting RSV at school, which affects him more severely because of his illness — and he's been hospitalized many times.”

A month ago, her husband contracted metapneumonia, Michal said. He was treated and put on a ventilator. The doctor said the virus had entered his lungs and bloodstream. he couldn't breathe, his hemoglobin was so low. He was given an exchange transfusion, replacing his blood, he said.

“I asked the doctor how long he would be on the ventilator. they weren't sure. I was so scared. I started to cry, thinking that I might lose my husband – knowing that I had just lost my beloved mother two years ago and my son would be without a father.”

Michal said she was alone with her son, unable to work because she is homeschooled.

“I don't have anyone I can rely on to help me watch him,” she said. “I was more worried about how I was going to manage paying the bills, the rent, buying food – and affording another place, knowing we have to move soon.”

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

And then, Michal said, things got even more difficult: “My son asked, 'When is dad coming home?' Tears filled my eyes. I didn't know what to say. Then, I remembered this scripture of the Holy Bible. “The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you,” he said.

Every day, Michal recited this Scripture. “My faith grew stronger and I began to believe that, yes, he would bring him home and find a way to take care of our needs. I looked at my son and confidently said, “Daddy will be home very soon.”

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

Michal said she is forever grateful for her 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 one, through all the trials I've faced. I love you.”

He added: “To everyone who has come together to help my family and I overcome our circumstances, thank you for your utmost love and support. This makes me realize I'm not alone. God bless you all. I love you.”

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

To donate to GoFundMe, click here.