Help Support Dan and His Family

A few short weeks ago, on October 13th, Dan and his family were devastated to learn that he has stage four metastatic esophageal cancer. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of appointments, tests, and information. Dan is determined to give this cancer a fight and is gearing up to begin chemotherapy in the next couple of weeks.

The average survival expectancy of this aggressive form of cancer, at this advanced stage, is 8 to 12 months. Dan's doctor's have told them that his cancer is incurable, but that treatment may prolong his life. How long? We don't know. Doctors don't know. Will we be granted a miracle and get one more whole year with our brother? Will my nieces and nephew get 2 more years with their father? It feels so unfair. Unfair that my brother is faced with his own expiration date. Unfair that my sister-in-law is faced with the reality that there will be a life without Dan in it. After all, we're supposed to outlive our parents, see our children into adulthood, and expire holding hands with the love of our life when we're ninety years old. Right?! Fifty years old is too young. It just feels so wrong and unfair. We don't know how much time we have left. We just know that it's not going to be enough.

Yes, the bills are going to start piling up, and more and more work is going to be missed while Dan fights to stay here with all of us as long as he can. I DO want to alleviate that burden as much as I possibly can.

What I am hoping for the most though, is to be able to pull off something so amazing that Dan is able to spend as much of the time he has left with his family. I want him to go to the Christmas stroll in Red Lodge with his family, should his health allow. Go ice skating with his daughter for her 13th birthday. Go see a movie with his wife. Take the day off to build snowmen and have a snowball fight in the back yard. Universe willing - I want him to be able to drive up to Beartooth Pass with our mother, in the summer, like they've done every year since I can remember.

Most can't afford to live like they're dying; I know I can't. And I know that it's asking a lot... But that's what I want for my brother, so I'm asking.

Thank you everyone for all the love and support. Dan and his family are strong believers in the power of prayer so, if nothing else, please pray for Dan. Pray that he's granted as much time here on earth as God sees fit, and ask him if maybe he'd be willing to give us an extension.

❤️ Dan's Family