Update: January 22, 2026

Van has now been home for three weeks, and we’re still very much on a learning curve as we adjust to life outside the hospital and rehab. Last week he needed an extra dialysis day due to fluid retention, a reminder that even at home, his care requires close monitoring and flexibility.

We did pass our home visit inspection, which means we can now move forward with getting Van his permanent PD catheter — a big step toward making dialysis more manageable long-term and giving him more independence and comfort.

Some of you may have seen Van’s “pirate” photo recently — that led us to the eye doctor, where we learned he has blood in both eyes, with a retinal hemorrhage in his right eye (the one with the patch). He is now scheduled for a panretinal photocoagulation procedure in two weeks to protect his vision.

As always, this journey continues to be a mix of hope and hard days, progress and unexpected turns. Thank you for walking alongside us — your support, prayers, and encouragement mean more than words can express.

Update: January 6th, 2026

After 117 days away, Van is finally home. Bringing him through the door was emotional in ways I can’t fully put into words — relief, gratitude, hope, and a deep awareness that this is just the beginning of a new chapter.

Now we’re working to figure out our new normal. That means scheduling follow-up appointments with his doctors, managing medications, and trying to set up home healthcare. Unfortunately, we’ve run into a challenge: because of our dogs, in-home services like home health, physical therapy, and occupational therapy aren’t able to come inside. Van isn’t yet able to let the dogs out or secure them safely on his own, and with me working two jobs ensuring that I'm here for the visits is making these services difficult to arrange.

So we’re adapting, problem-solving, and taking things one day at a time — just like we’ve done throughout this entire journey. Thank you to everyone who supported us through the long months apart and continues to stand with us now. Your generosity, prayers, and encouragement made it possible to get him home, and we’re endlessly grateful.

Update December 7th

This Thanksgiving brought something truly special- the kids in Texas came to visit with Van, filling his week with love, encouragement, and familiar faces he’s missed so much. Their time together brought out smiles and a spark of motivation that we haven’t seen in a while. 

Van continues to amaze us with what he’s able to do on his own now. This week he moved himself in and out of the bed to his wheelchair, dressed himself, and even shaved his own beard- something that felt impossible, not long ago. His strength is returning little by little, and each new skill brings us closer to having him home again.

We’re so hopeful as we watch his determination grow. Thank you to everyone who continues to support, donate, share, and pray for us. Your kindness is carrying us through, and we truly believe brighter days are coming. 

 

Update: Growing Stronger, With One Big Complaint (November 23rd)

Van continues to get stronger through physical therapy, and this week brought one of the best moments yet — I watched him sit up in bed, stand, turn, and seat himself in his wheelchair completely on his own. Seeing that independence returning, even in small steps, fills me with so much hope.

But we’ve run into a new hurdle: his potassium levels have been climbing, so the doctors have started him on a new medication and changed his diet. And if you know Van, you know this is especially tough — he was such an incredible cook that eating at home was always better than eating out at restaurants. Now he’s stuck with a kidney-friendly + diabetic menu he definitely doesn’t like, and he’s not shy about telling everyone how much he misses real food!

Even with these challenges, he keeps showing up, working hard, and finding humor where he can. Thank you for every prayer, message, donation, and share — your support lifts us up more than you know.

Update: More Strength, New Challenges (November 8th)

Van continues to work hard in therapy, and this week we reached another milestone. He has progressed from Mod A (Moderate Assistance)—needing help about 50% of the time—to Min A (Minimal Assist), meaning the therapists are now only providing stability rather than fully supporting him. It may sound small, but it means he is doing more under his own power, and that is a huge step toward independence.

We also received a new diagnosis: orthostatic hypotension, which means his blood pressure drops significantly when he stands. This makes therapy harder and increases dizziness and fall risk. The doctors have now prescribed a new blood pressure medication—this one to raise his blood pressure instead of lower it—in hopes that it will stabilize him enough to continue progressing.

The good news is that Van continues to tolerate dialysis, which is a major relief. We are celebrating the wins as they come, even as new challenges appear.

Thank you for every donation, message, prayer, share, and kind word. Your support helps us stay focused on hope and healing.

Update: Small Steps Forward (October 31st)

It’s hard to believe that Van has been away from home since September 5th, when he was rushed to the hospital by ambulance for a possible stroke. After 25 days in the hospital, he was moved to a rehabilitation facility on September 30th, where he continues daily therapy.

This week brought a major milestone — Van walked 60 feet with a walker and the support of his therapist. It may seem small, but for us, it’s a huge victory. Even more encouraging, his BUN levels are finally in the normal range, giving us hope that his kidneys may be starting to recover.

He still faces serious challenges — since leaving home his weight has dropped from 189 lbs. to 146, and the cognitive decline from his strokes has left him looking at the world with a childlike expression that breaks my heart. But every small sign of progress keeps us going.

There are no discussions of discharge yet, and we know this journey will be a long one. Thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support — your kindness makes a world of difference.

What happened...

This past year has turned our world upside down.

My husband, Van, was once the life of the party—full of energy, humor, and adventure. He could light up any room with his warmth and laughter. Van made friends wherever he went and lived every day with purpose and joy.

But everything changed.

Over the past year, Van has suffered multiple strokes, severe kidney damage requiring dialysis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. These health crises have taken a devastating toll on his body and mind. Before we knew what was happening, he was quietly losing pieces of himself—his memory, his energy, his independence.

He lost one job due to declining performance and left another before the same thing happened. Only later did we learn that the strokes had already begun affecting his brain, silently stealing the man we knew.

Today, Van struggles to hold a conversation. There is a 20-30 second delay from the time you ask him a questions until he responses. That is the current time he needs to process what was said and find the words to respond. The man who once led every adventure now needs help with everyday tasks. It’s heartbreaking—but through it all, his spirit and determination still shine through.

Why We Need Help

The medical costs continue to mount: ongoing dialysis, therapy, medication, and transportation to and from treatment. We’ve used up our savings trying to keep up, but the expenses just don’t stop.

Your donations have already made such a difference—they’ve helped us pay a few medical bills, ease daily stress, and give Van access to the care he needs to keep fighting. Every contribution, no matter the size, goes directly toward his medical care, rehabilitation, and essential living expenses.

If you’re able to give, please know how deeply grateful we are. If you can’t donate right now, sharing our story helps more than you can imagine.

Thank you for standing with us through this journey—for your prayers, love, and support. They are what keep us moving forward, one day and one therapy session at a time.

With love and gratitude,

The Strandberg Family