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From Nate's wife, Tara:
Nate's battle with cancer has been longer than most people realize largely due to his positive attitude and ability to make it seem like it's just a little challenge in life. His will to live and fight is strong but cancer is a persistent and stubborn disease that will affect nearly half our population at some point in life.
Nate was first diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma in 2008 when he was 28, barely two years after we opened Yeti's Grind in Eagle. It all started with a mole on his ankle the size of a penny that we honestly thought it wasn't a big deal as we were invincible in the prime of life! When it was removed, we found out it grew inward and the malignancy had spread to the lymph nodes behind his knee. The surgery entailed a skin graft over his ankle plus the sentinel lymph node biopsy and removal. It was an overwhelming time in our life as he went through a series of 3 surgeries plus an aggressive BioChemo Therapy protocol at University of Colorado Hospital in Denver. Thankfully after 8 months of battling melanoma, resulting in physical and mental scars, we were able to put it all aside and started to live life more passionately, which eventually led to the start of lov bikes.
We feel very blessed that Nate was able to live healthfully for the next 6 years but in August 2014, he felt a bump on his right calf. We really never thought the cancer would come back so we were optimistic until the lab tests showed our greatest fear...the melanoma had returned. Again, Nate went through 3 surgeries but no further treatment was prescribed. About a year later in August 2015 Nate had a PET CT scan that showed that the melanoma had spread to a small spot in his lung and a few other areas in his upper body so he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. He now has some large, visible tumors and some small internal spots but we are very hopeful.
Melanoma is a tricky form of cancer and doctors say they feel like a dog chasing their tails trying to figure out how to best treat it. Cancer is really a metabolic and immune system breakdown which causes malignancies to form and grow which in Nate's case is in the form of melanoma. The traditional procedures are often ineffective so we are trying everything in our power to find all the options available to us. Starting in October 2015 Nate started a series of 4 aggressive immunotherapy treatments at University of Colorado Hospital, which was ineffective. He then went through chemotherapy, radiation, and then TVEC virus injections at Shaw Cancer Center, but all have been ineffective except the radiation showed some progress on 2 of his topical tumors. On June 8, 2016, an MRI showed that Nate has 8 to 10 brain tumors, so he went through 10 more radiation sessions and was put on steroids but that is all the Shaw can do for him and we are out of options from conventional medicine at the moment. However, we have been pursuing alternative natural therapy options that involve strict dietary/nutritional changes, detoxes, many supplements, Bemer electro magnetic frequency therapy, emotional and spiritual healing, and CBD oil. Nate has officially started a detox today, June 24, that he will repeat every 3 weeks and he will adhere to a strict diet in between. We are very optimistic that Nate will again be victorious in his battle and will be healthier than ever after he resets his metabolic functions and rebuilds his immune system.
The ongoing treatment side effects and tumors make quality of life different than Nate is used to as he has not been able to work at all or even ride bikes, but we are still very blessed. The natural therapy options are very costly and our health insurance is astronomical! Any support is greatly appreciated as it is very difficult to plan for these rough patches in life. Please know that we truly appreciate any support given...prayers, good vibes, monetary contributions, etc. Some days the cancer is big and mean which causes us to drop to our knees and pray, but most days we feel at peace that God will heal Nate in every way. I know this was a lot of information and we truly appreciate you taking the time to hear our story and for all the support this amazing community has provided for us. Much love and gratitude for you all!
Nate's battle with cancer has been longer than most people realize largely due to his positive attitude and ability to make it seem like it's just a little challenge in life. His will to live and fight is strong but cancer is a persistent and stubborn disease that will affect nearly half our population at some point in life.
Nate was first diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma in 2008 when he was 28, barely two years after we opened Yeti's Grind in Eagle. It all started with a mole on his ankle the size of a penny that we honestly thought it wasn't a big deal as we were invincible in the prime of life! When it was removed, we found out it grew inward and the malignancy had spread to the lymph nodes behind his knee. The surgery entailed a skin graft over his ankle plus the sentinel lymph node biopsy and removal. It was an overwhelming time in our life as he went through a series of 3 surgeries plus an aggressive BioChemo Therapy protocol at University of Colorado Hospital in Denver. Thankfully after 8 months of battling melanoma, resulting in physical and mental scars, we were able to put it all aside and started to live life more passionately, which eventually led to the start of lov bikes.
We feel very blessed that Nate was able to live healthfully for the next 6 years but in August 2014, he felt a bump on his right calf. We really never thought the cancer would come back so we were optimistic until the lab tests showed our greatest fear...the melanoma had returned. Again, Nate went through 3 surgeries but no further treatment was prescribed. About a year later in August 2015 Nate had a PET CT scan that showed that the melanoma had spread to a small spot in his lung and a few other areas in his upper body so he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. He now has some large, visible tumors and some small internal spots but we are very hopeful.
Melanoma is a tricky form of cancer and doctors say they feel like a dog chasing their tails trying to figure out how to best treat it. Cancer is really a metabolic and immune system breakdown which causes malignancies to form and grow which in Nate's case is in the form of melanoma. The traditional procedures are often ineffective so we are trying everything in our power to find all the options available to us. Starting in October 2015 Nate started a series of 4 aggressive immunotherapy treatments at University of Colorado Hospital, which was ineffective. He then went through chemotherapy, radiation, and then TVEC virus injections at Shaw Cancer Center, but all have been ineffective except the radiation showed some progress on 2 of his topical tumors. On June 8, 2016, an MRI showed that Nate has 8 to 10 brain tumors, so he went through 10 more radiation sessions and was put on steroids but that is all the Shaw can do for him and we are out of options from conventional medicine at the moment. However, we have been pursuing alternative natural therapy options that involve strict dietary/nutritional changes, detoxes, many supplements, Bemer electro magnetic frequency therapy, emotional and spiritual healing, and CBD oil. Nate has officially started a detox today, June 24, that he will repeat every 3 weeks and he will adhere to a strict diet in between. We are very optimistic that Nate will again be victorious in his battle and will be healthier than ever after he resets his metabolic functions and rebuilds his immune system.
The ongoing treatment side effects and tumors make quality of life different than Nate is used to as he has not been able to work at all or even ride bikes, but we are still very blessed. The natural therapy options are very costly and our health insurance is astronomical! Any support is greatly appreciated as it is very difficult to plan for these rough patches in life. Please know that we truly appreciate any support given...prayers, good vibes, monetary contributions, etc. Some days the cancer is big and mean which causes us to drop to our knees and pray, but most days we feel at peace that God will heal Nate in every way. I know this was a lot of information and we truly appreciate you taking the time to hear our story and for all the support this amazing community has provided for us. Much love and gratitude for you all!
Organizer and beneficiary
Robin Wagner
Organizer
Vail, CO
Tara Picklo
Beneficiary
