Stand with Bryan in His Time of Need

Just a couple of months ago, our beloved Bryan Schultz went to the chiropractor for back pain—today, he’s in the fight of his life. After a shocking stage 4 cancer diagnosis in May, his condition has rapidly progressed, with the disease spreading to his brain, bones, lungs, liver, and spine. In the midst of starting promising treatment, he suffered a devastating stroke, leaving him with severe neurological challenges. Since then, he's been bouncing between hospitals and facilities, facing complications, inadequate care, and now a potential second stroke. His family has been by his side through it all—fighting to get him the expert attention he deserves.

Despite small victories and moments of hope, the financial burden is overwhelming. Insurance and disability barely cover basic care, let alone the specialized support, mobility equipment, and end-of-life costs he may soon face. We’re reaching out to Bryan’s community—friends, family, and anyone moved by his story—to offer support during this time. Every donation, no matter the size, helps lift a weight from his family’s shoulders and ensures Bryan can continue receiving the care, comfort, and dignity he needs. Thank you for being part of this village.

Please follow the updates on his Caringbridge page here: https://www.caringbridge.org/site/f6bfcbe1-4fcc-11f0-8067-bbda06069207 (we copy/pasted the first one below also)

Comprehensive Update from Leeah, Bryan's daughter (June 22, 2025)

The past several weeks have brought moments of hope, deep concern, and overwhelming emotion. We wanted to share a full and honest update on Bryan's, my dad’s, health - both the progress and the difficult truths - so that those following his journey can understand where things stand.

On May 6th, 2025, my dad was hospitalized at a Stanford-affiliated hospital in Santa Clara, where he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung. The cancer had already spread to his pelvis, spine, brain, bones, liver, and lymph nodes, along with pulmonary embolisms (blood clots) in both lungs and a clot in the external iliac vein in his right leg.

During that initial stay (May 6–25), he received radiation to his spine and lungs, which helped ease his coughing and improve his breathing. Doctors also discovered he carries the ALK-positive gene mutation, present in only about 5% of patients with this type of cancer. This qualified him for targeted therapy, and brought much-needed attention from doctors, many of whom had never seen this mutation before at this hospital.

On May 26th, the day after discharge, he was admitted to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek with what he thought was a sinus infection. Imaging revealed a growing tumor pressing on his ocular nerve, and he was scheduled to begin stereotactic radiation (a highly focused form of radiation therapy) and targeted chemotherapy the following week.

Tragically, on June 2nd, the day his treatment was set to begin, he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke - a brain bleed caused by the same problematic tumor. This resulted in expressive and receptive aphasia, affecting his ability to understand and express language. Since then, he has also been coping with confusion, cognitive decline, delirium, intense separation anxiety, and multiple ER visits - four in total.

He stabilized enough to begin radiation and chemotherapy (Lorlatinib) on June 5th. Although Lorlatinib has caused moderate to severe neurological side effects, he has had few of the physical side effects typically expected from chemo (nausea, hair loss, etc - so far). That alone was a small victory.

On June 13th, he was transferred to a skilled nursing facility in Pleasant Hill, where he began working with a rehab team including physical and occupational therapists, a speech therapist, and a dietitian. In the days leading up to Friday, June 20th, Dad was essentially relearning how to walk and talk again—an enormous challenge, brought on by both the damage from the stroke and the cancer’s toll on his spinal column, muscles and bones. He was pushing past his limits with determination to get stronger.

Unfortunately, his condition began to decline. We’ve faced serious concerns with inadequate care, missing personal items, and staff negligence, including one incident where he was left stranded and unattended, unable to move or get help - hurting himself in the process. Needless to say, the facility has not been able to meet his medical or emotional needs.

This past Friday, June 20th, his pain became severe and intolerable. An X-ray was ordered to evaluate whether there are new or worsening spinal fractures. Doctors expressed concern that paraplegia, paralysis of the waist down, is a very real possibility, and it is clear that he needs a higher level of care.

As of today, June 22nd, he was transported back to the John Muir Emergency Department in Walnut Creek. Sadly, his condition is continuing to decline. His current symptoms - confusion, disorientation, and worsening aphasia - are strikingly similar to what he experienced during his first stroke. Doctors now suspect he may be experiencing a second stroke. He is currently undergoing MRI scans of his brain and spine to assess the situation and determine next steps.

There are still bright spots, and we hold on tightly to them: his June 12th MRI showed a 40% reduction in his largest brain tumors, and no new tumors or signs of growth, which holds promise for the rest of his body.

At this point, however, we just don’t know what the future holds. It’s a frightening, heartbreaking moment in an already exhausting journey, yet there are glimmers of hope. With cancer journeys, it seems that there are a few good steps forward, followed by one giant step backward. But we will continue to fight for him, and we’re doing everything possible to get him the care he deserves.

Our current goal is to get him admitted to UCSF for spinal-focused care, where he would receive the expert attention he urgently needs. Beyond that, we just want him to continue to focus on getting stronger so that eventually he may live independently with in-home health care, but there are many steps between now and then.

If you’ve been considering visiting - or waiting for a better time - now may be that time. My dad - Bryan - is still with us, and though communication is limited, his face lights up when surrounded by the people he loves. Your presence could mean more than words can express.

My mom, Kelly, has been by his side nearly every day - advocating for him relentlessly, managing paperwork, coordinating doctor’s appointments, fielding phone calls, and navigating every detail of his care. I’ve been traveling weekly from out of town to be with him, and his closest family and friends from out of state have also come when they can, offering their time, energy, connections and love to help shoulder the load. Together, we’re doing everything we can to support him through each twist and turn of this journey.

We’ll continue to share updates as things unfold. Thank you for your continued love, prayers, and strength. We feel it. If you would like to contribute monetarily to help with his medical costs, we will be posting a GoFundMe link very soon.

With love and deep gratitude,

Team Bryan