Iben Called to Battle

Iben called to battle.

If you follow Ron (Iben Phuqd) on Facebook, you will notice he describes himself as a "truth spreader" and holds the title of the most deleted account on Facebook! How many of those dang things has he had anyway?! According to Facebook, Iben serves as the "Administrative Supervisor at Fact Checker." If you’ve known Ron for a while, you recognize him as a passionate American—politically engaged, a bit eccentric, a touch stubborn, deeply devoted to his family, and someone who never shies away from a challenge. The path he is now on is set to be one of the toughest battles he has ever encountered. This is significant, especially considering Ron is a soldier who dedicated part of his life to protecting your freedoms and our great nation through his service in the U.S. Army.

I have every confidence that Ron will persist as a "truth spreader" and continue his role as the Administrative Supervisor at Fact Checker, but he now faces a new reality with new truths. On August 2, 2024, Ron received the devastating diagnosis of cancer after experiencing hip pain during a family vacation in Colorado. This shocking news turned their lives upside down. Ron and his family are currently navigating through numerous tests and procedures to discover if this relentless disease has spread beyond his bones and determine where the primary location is. They are currently awaiting guidance on their next steps after the needle biopsy is completed and assembling the right support team to help Ron and his family combat this formidable illness. This journey will require them to travel frequently, leaving the comfort of their home to attend various medical appointments. Ron’s doctors have informed him that he will be unable to work for at least a year. Ron works at 3M and also owns and operates his small engine shop (Ron’s Small Engine). This situation places a heavy burden on his wife, Kamber, as she strives to manage household expenses, care for their children (ages 15 & 13) and support Ron during this uncertain and frightening time, all while trying to establish a sense of "new normal" for their family. Kamber has been a Registered Nurse in the emergency department for nearly 18 years, dedicating her life to providing care to strangers on their most challenging days. Chances are, she has cared for you or someone you know. It’s our turn to help take care of her and her family. She is a fabulous nurse, and Ron couldn’t ask for a better “personal nurse” to help care for him. I firmly believe she will still crack that nurse whip once in a while as she fights for her husband of 17+ years. Ron has 4 children- Caleb, Blake, Jaxsyn, and Reed- who are also standing beside him during his fight for his life. Ron and his family are forever grateful for any donations made on their behalf. These donations will go towards travel expenses and whatever else they may need it for during this time of uncertainty. If you are unable to donate, please send up a prayer or 2 because they mean more to us than any amount of money. Thank you so much.

Phuq cancer.

UPDATE 8/14/24- Ron’s bone biopsy sample has been sent to Kansas City for further testing, including immunohistochemical testing to hopefully determine exactly what kind of cancer he has, what kind of markers it has, and what his best options are regarding a treatment plan in order to lay the smack down on this stupid cancer. He is hoping to have results next week. Please keep praying. Thank you to everyone who has donated up to this point. It is so very much appreciated.

UPDATE 8/30/24 from Kamber:

Ron asked me to post an update here since he hasn’t been able to keep up with all the texts. I won’t be sharing all the details….

He was supposed to start radiation on his femur Monday but began having worsening SOB all weekend. By the time Monday morning got here, his O2 sat was in the 70s with exertion. He was extremely pale, lips bluish, clammy. He asked to go to the ER Monday morning after I dropped the kids off at school. I talked him in to doing radiation first, and then I would take him to ER. We knew radiation was quick. Once we got to the ER, his condition hadn’t changed. Since he had been in the wheelchair while I was parking the car, his vital signs were normal in triage. Looking at him, he was NOT normal, but we got put in the alternative waiting room any way. Ron could barely hold his head up, so I went to the desk asking how much longer and got the same spill everyone gets, “every room in the back is full. It’s gonna be a while.” After 2 hours, a Nurse Practitioner poked his head in the door looking for another patient. I asked him if he knew how much longer we would be waiting, and he said he would check. I’m not sure if he knew something was wrong or if he just heard the urgency/fear in my voice, but we were taken back to a room within 10 minutes. His CT showed a large amount of fluid around his heart, and he actually needed an emergent procedure to place a drain to get the fluid off so his heart could pump normal. This was causing Cardiac Tamponade, something we learn about in nursing school but don’t see every day. Even for myself, this was a perfect example of “treat the patient, not the number.” Yes, Ron’s vital signs were normal in triage, but it was obvious something was wrong. I honestly believe if that NP hadn’t of poked his head in that door, Ron would have coded in the waiting room. Matt Derfelt, NP was a God send that day. Ron has been in CVICU since Monday. The drain was pulled yesterday, but his pneumonia is not improving. Something we were told would not improve until we can get the tumors to shrink, however, we can’t get treatment started because those tumors keep causing other issues we have to take care of first. I had a “minor” run-in with one of his doctors the first couple days after she kept talking over me and told me I ask too many questions that she couldn’t answer. I basically told her she gets paid no matter what happens to my husband. We don’t. Yesterday and last night were rough. Ron was uncomfortable and restless. His spirits were way down. I was frustrated because I thought we would see improvements quicker. I think this is really starting to take a toll on Jaxsyn and Reed. They’re scared. I’m trying to split my time between home and the hospital, but it’s hard.

We’re still here. In CVICU. We have a different Intensivist seeing us the next couple days who actually listens and explains things. Ron is still on quite a bit of oxygen, and will be going home on oxygen. He’s pretty weak and hasn’t eaten much. His brain has been foggy, but hopefully with pain medication changes, that will improve. He did get a little humor back today and told the nurse he would rather eat an MRE instead of this hospital food! I “cracked the whip” today and told him we’re getting things done today so we can get out of here. Unfortunately, Ron was not able to get his PET scan done yesterday since he is inpatient. We’re bummed about that since KU wanted those results before our appointment there next week.

Please pray for strength and pain control and for his work of breathing to improve. We have a long road ahead of us.