Al Steffen Relief Fund
Donation protected
Al Started working for the Chicago Northwestern which is now Union Pacific, when he was 19 years old as a Track laborer. 42 years later he finished as a boom truck operator, during that time he was also involved with the union (BMWED) as a Chairman and lodge President, and served as a safety captain locally with the Twin Cities Service Unit. He was dedicated to the railroad and took pride in his work. At the same time he was comitted to his co-workers insuring they were safe and treated fairly.
Al worked hard and long days. Some days 12 plus hours, 7 days a week. Working through adverse weather such as snow, rain, heat, and cold. Sometimes I thought Al was married to the railroad because he was spending more time there than at home. But the reality was he was devoted to his family and making sure they were provided for.
In July of 2016 the day came where Al could retire. No more alarm clocks, no more late night phone calls and no more weekend work. He could finally do what he wanted when he wanted. In that time he did some fishing, hunting and spent time with his family especially his grandkids. But for Al that didn’t last to0 long. On November 20, 2016 Al suffered a seizure sending him to the hospital. At first they thought he suffered a stroke. They did a Cat scan and found a spot on his brain that had a lot of swelling. He was put in an induced coma. Two days later he had a biopsy in which the diagnoises was a high grade 3 slash low four Glioblastoma brain tumor. In other words a cancerous brain tumor. Because of the location they were not able to remove it all. The tumor is in-operable, and unremovable. It sits behind the left eye close to the optic nerve located in the processing center of the brain. Probably the worst location because it affects and controls your short term memory, vision, balance, and thought process, as well as comprehension and almost everything after that. This is a rare disorder that occurs in less than 200 thousand people.
Al spent three weeks in the hospital ICU and theraphy. In January Al started aggressive treatment because his tumor is a fast grower. The doctors had to treat it that way. Al had chemo seven days a week for six weeks along with radition five days a week for six weeks. He continued the chemo for six months for five days out of the month. He is done for now with the treatments. The tumor currently is stable. But it will grow back and when it does treatment will start again.
Al still has several doctor’s appointments, MRI’s and tests. He has a primary and supplement insurance policies. The primary was used up in the first three months which was a 500k lifetime max. The supplement is almost gone as well. Soon we will have to find another policy which means higher premiums, higher deductables and higher out of pocket expenses.
Even though we have had good insurance we still have thousands of dollars of medical bills we are responsible for. This monster has hit us hard financially. We do not qualify for any assistance because we make $500 dollars to much. Al can’t work and can’t be left alone for long periods of time
For the most part Al is doing pretty good he has good days and then there are days where all he wants to do is sleep. On his good days he wants to do things, but because of our finaces we are unable to do much, so we make the most of what we have. Al could use the financial support with paying bills and continue to fight his battle. We thought we would be able to do this but we can’t and need assistance. So please help us make the rest of Al’s time enjoyable and stress free. Your support prayers and well wishes are greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Laurie Steffen
Al worked hard and long days. Some days 12 plus hours, 7 days a week. Working through adverse weather such as snow, rain, heat, and cold. Sometimes I thought Al was married to the railroad because he was spending more time there than at home. But the reality was he was devoted to his family and making sure they were provided for.
In July of 2016 the day came where Al could retire. No more alarm clocks, no more late night phone calls and no more weekend work. He could finally do what he wanted when he wanted. In that time he did some fishing, hunting and spent time with his family especially his grandkids. But for Al that didn’t last to0 long. On November 20, 2016 Al suffered a seizure sending him to the hospital. At first they thought he suffered a stroke. They did a Cat scan and found a spot on his brain that had a lot of swelling. He was put in an induced coma. Two days later he had a biopsy in which the diagnoises was a high grade 3 slash low four Glioblastoma brain tumor. In other words a cancerous brain tumor. Because of the location they were not able to remove it all. The tumor is in-operable, and unremovable. It sits behind the left eye close to the optic nerve located in the processing center of the brain. Probably the worst location because it affects and controls your short term memory, vision, balance, and thought process, as well as comprehension and almost everything after that. This is a rare disorder that occurs in less than 200 thousand people.
Al spent three weeks in the hospital ICU and theraphy. In January Al started aggressive treatment because his tumor is a fast grower. The doctors had to treat it that way. Al had chemo seven days a week for six weeks along with radition five days a week for six weeks. He continued the chemo for six months for five days out of the month. He is done for now with the treatments. The tumor currently is stable. But it will grow back and when it does treatment will start again.
Al still has several doctor’s appointments, MRI’s and tests. He has a primary and supplement insurance policies. The primary was used up in the first three months which was a 500k lifetime max. The supplement is almost gone as well. Soon we will have to find another policy which means higher premiums, higher deductables and higher out of pocket expenses.
Even though we have had good insurance we still have thousands of dollars of medical bills we are responsible for. This monster has hit us hard financially. We do not qualify for any assistance because we make $500 dollars to much. Al can’t work and can’t be left alone for long periods of time
For the most part Al is doing pretty good he has good days and then there are days where all he wants to do is sleep. On his good days he wants to do things, but because of our finaces we are unable to do much, so we make the most of what we have. Al could use the financial support with paying bills and continue to fight his battle. We thought we would be able to do this but we can’t and need assistance. So please help us make the rest of Al’s time enjoyable and stress free. Your support prayers and well wishes are greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Laurie Steffen
Organizer and beneficiary
David Hammac
Organizer
Cottage Grove, MN
Laurie Steffen
Beneficiary
