Erik Wytrwal Medical Fund for CML

We have been struggling for the right words to start this page as it is still surreal.

 

Our nephew, Erik Wytrwal, began his journey with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) cancer almost a year ago. He completed his annual physical and everything looked great. Shortly after returning home, he received a call to return to the hospital immediately. Additional testing confirmed the disturbing news, a rare form of cancer. Our nephew left the doctor's office, sat in his truck, and thought, "Wow, this morning I was fine, this afternoon I have cancer. My life and my family’s life will change forever.” How do you tell your beautiful wife Lisa, your loving children Matilda, age 6, and Roland, age 3, that Dad has cancer?

As treatments began, the outlook seemed encouraging. Fast forward 8 months, the cancer blasts began to take over in his blood, putting him into the "acute blast phase" of his disease. His situation became critical, and he was admitted to the hospital to undergo an intensive month of chemotherapy.

Erik will be returning to the hospital in January for a stem cell transplant. Recovery time in the hospital is 4-6 weeks, with the first 100 days post-transplant being the most crucial. The medical team estimates 6-12 months recovery time. Given the additional challenges that the medications, procedures, and other factors present, the family has a long road ahead.

 

Erik is presently living isolated at home; with his compromised immune system, he has high risk of becoming ill. The family has learned to navigate with masks and distancing at home together, which is not alway easy for the little ones.

This news has been heartbreaking for our family. For those that know Erik, he is an amazing man, and through all of this has shown strength, courage, maturity, calmness, and humor.

He continues this long and challenging journey with the full love and support of family and friends. The unexpected hospital bills and copays are starting to come in and will continue for years to follow. We are hopeful to ease some of this financial burden, removing additional stress from his life. Any donation will go a long way in helping Erik on his road to recovery and remission. This act of kindness will be greatly appreciated by Erik’s family. Prayers, positive thoughts, and love are always welcomed.

Please feel free to share this link and help us spread the word to support Erik during this incredibly unexpected, difficult time as he tries to navigate this new reality.

 

Please continue to keep Erik in your thoughts as we begin our fight against cancer, together.