Help Rachael and Her Family Survive this Journey

Our community has exceeded anything we could imagine. As bills are beginning to come in, we realize that we are in this for the long haul. Any support is seen and appreciated. THANK YOU for loving us. ❤️

My family is no stranger to cancer. My mom is a three time cancer survivor. I walked alongside her through chemo, surgery, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. You're taken to death's door before the hope of health can take root. She is walking alongside us now on Rachael's journey.

Rachael was recently diagnosed with stage four melanoma. I didn't know you could get melanoma internally, but yes, you can. The cancer has spread throughout her body. My wife is incredibly strong. A few weeks before receiving this diagnosis, she moved a 10x20 storeroom in one of the hottest Texas weekends we've had. A major feat in the best of circumstances. Simply incredible now knowing what we do.

Melanoma doesn't respond to chemotherapy. It used to be a death sentence. Thanks to the incredible research of people we will never meet, there is now a path forward for melanoma--immunotherapy. The Start Center of San Antonio was the first place in the world to administer this treatment. It is now the primary treatment for this type of cancer. Rachael is being seen by an amazing oncologist, Dr. Scott Ulmer at the Start Center. Her immunotherapy journey started yesterday, 7/10/2024. Dr. Ulmer helped explain the therapy in layman's terms--her body has allowed this cancer to spread which means that it was tricked into believing that it was supposed to be there. Immunotherapy removes the cloaking agent of the cancer so her immune system can see it for what it is. Eviction orders were served to the unwanted occupants yesterday--she felt it. The process of healing is painful. To be refined by the fire, you have to be burned. We are grateful for the sign that the therapy is doing what it is supposed to--ripping the cancer out of her body. In the same space, we grieve the pain that must be felt so she can come out on the other side.

Our daughter Aislyn is a gift. She will be two at the end of August. She is curious, spirited, empathetic, fierce, joyous, sassy, determined... a beautiful spirit in every way. Rachael and I love being her mommies. The capacity that children have for resilience and understanding is not to be underestimated. I've talked with her about what's going on in terms I hoped she'd understand... "mama's body is sick. We're working with doctors right now to help mama's body get better. You may not see mama as much as she's getting better. That's ok. She loves you very much." Aislyn checks on Rachael, gives her kisses, and has even brought her own lotion (Johnson's and Johnson's baby lotion) to rub on mama's legs. She is a precious gift.

For anyone reading this stream of consciousness, thank you. Thank you for your care of my family, and support in the energy you've sent our way. People are what matters in life. I've known this. I feel it even more deeply now. It's the community that comes alongside you that helps you get through these chapters. It is not easy. We'd rather not be walking this road, but that is irrelevant. The truth is that we are. We accept that truth and pray for the courage and strength needed to face the next step, and then the next... God has given me this courage before. I know He is giving it to us now.