Jason’s Fight For Life

Recently, my 42 year old brother, Jason, of Mellen, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a rare type of bone cancer that has no cure). After 3 years of going to doctors and many emergency room visits, he was finally diagnosed due to going into kidney failure. Jason had been very sick on and off over the last several years, but sort of gave up trying to find out what was going on since his doctors kept telling him that they couldn’t find anything concerning. Many of his family and friends didn't realize how sick he was. Even though he didn’t feel well, he tried to keep his life as normal as possible. Jason was the only worker for our dad’s small construction business. To keep this business afloat, Jason has worked for little pay and no benefits since he was 18. He worked many long hours, including weekends and holidays, driving and maintaining heavy equipment. Jason was always helping out others when he was not working, even when he could barely help himself. Finally, it was obvious something was seriously wrong after multiple falls resulting in severe pain and being bedridden shortly after Christmas 2017 for 5 weeks. This once strong man could no longer walk and even breathing was painful due to an unknown broken rib due to the cancer. Jason is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment and physical therapy. Once the cancer is managed, we are hopeful he may be a candidate for a bone marrow transplant in the near future. This will not cure him, but may stretch the time he has left. The doctors can only treat on a case to case basis, so the unknown is how long Jason can live with this cancer. With on-going treatment for the rest of his life, the outcome is 2-10+ years. His family, of course, is hoping for a miracle. The cancer is mainly concentrated in his lower back and hip area making it incredibly difficult and painful for Jason to walk. This cancer makes his bones spongy and he has many tiny little fractures throughout them. Jason may not ever be able to work again and his family is trying to support his personal finances and medical expenses. Jason is trying to remain positive and would like to do a few things with the time he has left. His hope is to spend quality time with family and friends- fishing, camping, and having BBQs. Jason’s main passion and hobby since he was a child has been drag racing. Over the past several years, he has been attempting to build a race car. Due to his illness, he was not able to finish it. His dream is to finish it and drive it at least one time. Please join us in helping him achieve and accomplish his goals for the time he has left. He is such an amazing person that gives so much and never asks for anything in return. Sincerely, Tina & Family