Jackson dad deals with flesh-eating bacteria, mom fights colon cancer: They need your help

In November, Lane Morell came down with pneumonia. He was hospitalized for a few days, then discharged.

The 49-year-old Jackson resident’s problems were just beginning.

A few days later his wife Bettina found him doubled over in the bathroom with blood covering the floor. Then came a diagnosis that no one wants to hear: flesh-eating bacteria.

Lane was hospitalized for 80 days and endured 17 surgeries. He lost 60 pounds, plummeting from 210 to 150 on his 6-foot-4 frame. His recovery has been slow and agonizing, rendering him unable to run his contracting business, Premier Design Concepts. Bettina has stepped in to fill that role while juggling the needs of their two children, but there’s one big hitch: She’s recovering from Stage 3 colon cancer.

How much misfortune can one family endure?

“They say God only gives you what you can handle,” Lane said. “He definitely pushed the limits, but you try to be positive because what’s the alternative?”

Bettina's story: Jackson mom hit by cancer, $50K bill; 'I never thought this could happen to me'

'The tub filled with blood’

In 2020 Bettina underwent surgery to remove a six-centimeter tumor and four cancerous lymph nodes.

“I am currently in remission, which is wonderful,” she said. “I’ve pushed myself a little too much and I did develop three hernias. Once Lane gets back on his feet I have to have that surgery, but that’s so minute compared to everything else we’ve gone through. I wear a brace around my waist; that’s the least of my worries right now.”

Each morning, Bettina gets their kids (ages 13 and 10) off to school, then spends two hours dressing Lane’s still-open wounds before heading to the office to run his business.

“She is by far the best wife you could ever ask for,” Lane said. “The first time she undid the bandage and the tub filled with blood, I almost passed out. For her to stand there and deal with it like it was not a problem — very strong.”

'It was us against the virus': What did hospital workers learn from two years of COVID?

Dennis Gibson, a friend who has rallied the Morell’s church community to raise money for the family, was at their house one recent morning as Bettina cleaned the three gaping holes in Lane’s abdomen, groin and backside.

“It’s a two-hour ordeal, and she does it with a smile on her face,” Gibson said.

It’s unclear when or if Lane will be able to return to construction work.

“I’ve graduated from a walker to a cane, and now I’m trying not to use a cane at all,” he said. “I walk like a 90-year-old man, shuffling.”

He’s hoping to find someone to lead the hands-on side of the job while he eventually runs the sales and business end.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to do the (labor) ever again,” he said. “It’s going to kill me, because that’s who I was.”

Making his day: WWE superstar Roman Reigns surprises 8-year-old leukemia patient from Howell

A lesson in perspective

The Morells are parishioners of St. Monica Roman Catholic Church in Jackson, and the local Knights of Columbus council raised $13,000 for them last month. A fall golf outing is in the works.

“It’s terrible when bad things happen to good people,” said Gibson, a Knights of Columbus officer.

A friend also launched a GoFundMe campaign. The Morells are thankful for the assistance.

“It’s unbelievable, how great this community is,” Lane said. “People have come out of the woodwork to help.”

Their gratitude extends to the staff at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township, where both Lane and Bettina were treated. In fact, by luck of the draw they had the same surgeons: Drs. Amit Kharod and Thomas Kayal.

“They not only saved my life; they saved my husband’s life,” Bettina said. “How crazy is the world? They were just amazing.”

There’s still a big hill to climb, between Lane’s wounds, Bettina’s continued remission, mounting medical bills and concerns about the sustainability of the family business. They’re keeping it all in perspective, which is a valuable lesson for the rest of us.

“As crazy as it sounds, with everything I’ve been through, I don’t care if we lose everything,” Bettina said, putting her husband's health first. “As long as we have him, we’ll work everything else out.”

Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore’s interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jackson dad deals with flesh-eating bacteria, mom fights colon cancer