When Waide and Cathy celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on July 29th, they had never imagined it could be their last. But as they reflected over 3 decades together, filled with unwavering commitment and love for one another, eight remarkable children, and above all, a deep devotion to God and their shared Catholic faith, the devastating health scare that confronted them was weighing heavily on their minds.

After multiple episodes of excruciating back and chest pain, hospital visits, yet no reliable explanation, a CT scan followed by an MRI and finally a biopsy confirmed Waide had a mass on his pancreas and a spot on his liver.

Six weeks after their anniversary, Waide underwent major surgery—with a projected 8-week recovery—to remove half his pancreas, his spleen, gall bladder, a piece of his liver, and twelve lymph nodes. Only after this extensive surgery could a more detailed diagnosis be reached. After an intense few days of post-op recovery, the pathology came back—stage 4 pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.

How could this be? Waide was a vision of health—he looked healthy; he felt healthy. At 54, with a wife and 8 children, two under 15, he was facing the biggest challenge yet—the fight for his life. The diagnosis would fill anyone with dread, but there is hope…and a long battle.

Neuroendocrine cancer, they discovered, is typically slow-growing and many patients with this diagnosis can manage it for years. The fact that his was operable is a ray of hope in a clouded outlook. Cathy and Waide, ever faithful and humble, are grateful for every silver lining they find along this uncharted path. The operation, thanks to his brilliant surgeon, was a success, but now the long haul begins. The cancer has spread from his pancreas to his liver, so surgery isn’t enough to guarantee a cure. Waide will need to undergo ongoing lifesaving treatment.

While Waide focuses his energy on recovery and being there for his family, they are all too aware that the medical and day-to-day bills are mounting.

Waide is a self-employed chiropractor and, because of the duration and physical demands of this ordeal, has been unable to work for several months and will be unable to work for several more. He will start up his practice again as soon as he is able. Even so, they are having to make plans to sell the family home at the start of the year to pay the medical bills and reduce living costs. Financially, time is not on their side as Waide needs to begin this lifesaving treatment immediately. The financial reality is almost as devastating as the medical for this close-knit family.

Even with insurance, the costs of specialized cancer treatments, ongoing injections, frequent monitoring scans, and medications are staggering.

Waide has been an active and vital member of his church and local community, but now he needs our help as he fights this battle.

This GoFundMe is being established to help with the mounting medical bills and living expenses until Waide is back on his feet, hopefully soon!

Every donation will help directly with:

Ongoing treatments and cancer medications

Regular CT and PET scans for monitoring

Unexpected medical costs

Basic living expenses for his wife and children

Whether you can contribute $10 or $1,000, share this campaign with your network, or simply keep Waide in your thoughts and prayers—every act of kindness matters. Cathy and Waide know that with God, all things are possible. They also know they are blessed with the most supportive network of friends and family two people could ever ask for.

Your continued prayers and words of support are deeply appreciated. The emotional and physical demands will be an ongoing cross that Waide and Cathy are prepared to carry.

With your support, they are up for the challenge.