On August 14th 2018, the Bryant family received the devastating news that Ed, their husband, dad, brother, and son, had been diagnosed with stage II pancreatic cancer. Ed’s symptoms started with fatigue, diarrhea, itching and jaundice. He spent the weekend prior to being diagnosed in the hospital, getting a shunt placed to open up the blocked bile duct. Soon after, Ed attempted to have an endoscopic ultrasound, which had to be halted because his heart rate was dangerously high from his a-fib. He was then scheduled for an echocardiogram, and subsequently put on medication. Next, Ed had a PET scan, followed by a successful endoscopic ultrasound. These tests confirmed that Ed is a candidate for surgery to remove the 2 tumors on his pancreas. After consulting with oncologists and surgeons, it was decided that the best chance Ed has to beat this unforgiving disease is to attack it prior to surgery with 4 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy over the course of 2 months.

 

Incredibly, this is not the family’s first life-saving battle. In 2009, Ed experienced the “worst headache of his life,” and was subsequently hospitalized and on full life support for 69 days with a sub-arachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding deep in the brain). I had the honor and privilege of caring for Ed & his wonderful family during this time, as one of his ICU nurses at Sharp Grossmont. We were heartbroken for them when they were told to prepare for the worst, that IF he survived he would most likely be very low-functioning and in a convalescent home. They didn’t know if he would ever walk or talk again. I remember many tears and conversations with Kim, Ed’s wife, trying my best to reassure her that we would all do everything we could for Ed, that we were all in their corner, fighting for them, and not to give up hope. Amazingly, Ed defied the odds, came home after 69 days and was back to work in 6 months! Grateful for the care he had received at our hospital, he went on to become a volunteer there, sharing his story with neuro patients to offer them hope and encouragement. Anyone who knows Ed & his family will not be surprised at this –it’s just the kind of people they are. 

 

And now, they need our help. They are so reluctant to have me put this request out there, even though the financial strain of these two medical crises has been so stressful for them.  I think it’s because the Bryants are the kind of people who would rather GIVE help, than be on the receiving end of it (all the more reason, in my mind, to support them now!). The events of 2009 were a huge financial burden for the family, as Ed had just started a new job and was waiting for his insurance to kick in. 3 weeks of ICU hospitalization and multiple surgeries amounted to astronomical medical bills. Though they have insurance now, they still have not recovered financially from the medical bills of 9 years ago. Now,  new medical bills continue mounting, Kim’s job doesn’t allow for family medical leave, and physicians have advised Ed that he could be off from work for 6 months or longer. All of these factors are creating such undue stress for them, on top of the major stress of this illness. Can you please find it in your heart to help them? If everyone gives even a little, we can make a BIG difference in their lives!

 

A little about Ed: Ed has been married to Kim for 22 years and they have two great kids, both teenagers. Ed enjoys watching his kids play high school sports, hiking, NASCAR, and going to car shows. But most of all, he enjoys spending time with family and friends.