Dave's Cancer is Back

I 'm sad to say that Dave Ryan's cancer is back with a vengeance. 

What a roller coaster for him and his family. In May 2018 he received a shocking diagnosis of cancer. By October 2018 he had fought it, he had won and he could travel to Africa. 

I was blessed to travel to  Africa with the Ryan family and saw their pain, their fear, their individual tears and their grateful hearts as they finally had time to process their summer, the tragedy of cancer, the fear of loss and the joy of healing. It was eye opening to hear their testimonies of their journey through that time and to see the painful path they have walked and the pure joy of victory in a few short months. 

Little did we all know there was more to come, more fight to be won, and many more prayers to said. 

After returning from Africa in late October 2018, Dave was told that not only is the cancer back, but it is back with a vengeance. Instead of one tumor like before, there are FIVE new ones spread throughout his entire body. 

A Dad of 4, a husband, a father in-law, a son, a brother, and a new Grandpa are just some of the hats this man has in his life. But now he wears a new hat, a cancer fighter. 

Dave has Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma. Since his second diagnosis, he has experienced debilitating, excruciating  pain that had him incapable of sitting, laying down or sleeping  for weeks. 

He has gone through 3 rounds of chemo, and Kim (his wife) has had to once again shave her husbands head, as his hair was starting to fall out all over again. 

They thought they had beat this, but it's back.

Dave has a VERY long road in front of him for treatment. 

+ 3 rounds of chemo
+ Bone marrow transplant 
+ Immunotherapy 
+ Countless appointments and scans 

...and so much more.

Kim and Dave need to live in Seattle Starting December 7th. For treatment, they are required to be within 30 min of the hospital at all times. As you can imagine, this is a HUGE burden. Not only are their hospital bills unfathomable, but their other expenses are through the roof.

Hotel lodging at $250 a night, parking $50 per day, food expense and gas expense are just to name a few.  Not to mention their normal mortgage and home expense responsibilities. They have a 14 year old son that is depending on them at home, and they are in the middle of wedding planning for their daughter in July.

The burden of it all weighs heavy. 

Dave is the main income source for this family, and while his employer has been spectacular during this time, the financial and emotional burden is a lot to carry alone. 

THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY. 

Both Dave and Kim have been serving others for years. From MOPs, at-home bible studies, directors of AWANA, they are both beyond amazing friends, and now started a non profit for their HUGE hearts for Africa. 

We are their friends, their family and their community. If you can give one time, GREAT. If you can commit to giving a monthly sum to help them pay for a specific need, WONDERFUL. Friends, it costs them $50 a day to park at the hospital, $250 a night to be where they are required to be for Dave and his health! CAN YOU IMAGINE?

If this were your husband, your child or your Dad, we would all  feel buried in the weight of it all. Please, together we can lighten this load. We can lift the financial burden by sharing it and carrying it together.  

This is an urgent need.  This is happening now. The expense is real. 

-Becca Kaemingk