Leif's Healing Journey and Family Support

Hello!

Many of you know our dear friend Leif. What many of you may not know is what he's been going through these last several months.

Back towards the beginning of the year, Leif started having trouble walking. At first it was barely noticeable, but within a few months it was to the point where he could barely walk at all. Up to this point, due to his really sucky health insurance, Leif had avoided going to the doctor. But things got so progressively worse, he finally caved. One look at him and his primary sent him to have an emergency MRI in Rice Lake. Within 4 days Leif was entering into nearly a 12-hour surgery on his spine in Marshfield on June 15.

What they discovered during his MRI was that Leif had a rather large tumor growing inside his spinal column which was slowly paralyzing him from the shoulders down from the amount of pressure it was putting on his spinal cord. The surgeon believed that within 3 weeks Leif would have been fully paralyzed permanently and eventually would have died due to the tumor slowly suffocating him.

In order to remove the tumor, they had to remove three of Leif's vertebrae in his neck and replace them with two titanium rods. Prior to surgery, the surgeon made no promises that he would regain his mobility and mentioned there was a good possibility that he would come out of surgery more paralyzed than when he went in. Thankfully, Leif came out of surgery with improved mobility, but unfortunately, the surgeon was not able to get the whole tumor. If he did try to get the tumor it would have paralyzed Leif's right hand because it was so entangled with his nerves. Which means, the tumor will likely grow back. Future treatment to prevent the regrowth will likely include radiation. In the meantime, Leif has been recovering from surgery these last several weeks staying with us. He's currently in a cervical collar which is expected to be removed during his 8-week follow-up mid-August. Leif is doing well, but it has been a long recovery, which will likely extend through the end of the year and beyond. Which also means, while he's recovering and has pretty extensive restrictions, he's not able to work, including working on the farm and he and his family will likely experience some loss of income from the farm on top of his growing expenses.

Unfortunately when it rains, it pours. While Leif was recovering from his surgery in the hospital in Marshfield, his dad was brought to Marshfield via ambulance with a lot of fluid around his lungs and heart. He had emergency heart surgery and now also has pneumonia and has been in the hospital fighting for his life these last 4-5 weeks. During this time, Leif also found out his aunt (his dad's sister) was diagnosed with cancer and was given just 6 months to live.

Despite all of this tragedy and stress, Leif has been the most enjoyable guest in our home these last several weeks. And we feel honored and blessed to be able to repay him for his many kindnesses to us since we came to Cumberland. I've come to believe there isn't anything Leif wouldn't do for a friend.

As you can imagine, the bills are beginning to pile up. Leif could use all of our support to cover his nearly $10,000 deductible and any associated hotel and travel fees he's been accumulating while going to visit his dad in Marshfield. Not to mention, the medical expenses will start over again at the first of the year at which time Leif will be responsible for another nearly $10k deductible should his treatment extend beyond this calendar year (gotta love insurance, am I right?).

If you're able, please consider donating any amount to help alleviate the burden he may be feeling so he can direct his energy to his own healing and being with his dad and family. I'm sure he would also appreciate prayers and kind words for his dad, his family, and himself.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Elaina McMillan