Our dad, Rex, had been feeling ill since October, 2025. After numerous clinic and emergency room visits, a tumor on his bladder was found in December, 2025. He was schedule to have the tumor removed on January 9, 2026. Unfortunately, he began losing blood internally and was admitted to the hospital on December 26, 2025. During the next 8 days, he had 3 surgeries, 2 bags of platelets, and numerous blood transfusions. The tumor on his bladder, which was confirmed to be advanced bladder cancer, was unable to be removed because it is too large and covers over 2/3 his bladder. It has already began to spread to other parts of his body and is blocking his right kidney. His kidney function began to fail in the hospital, causing an nephrostomy tube to be placed for his right kidney. Once his kidney function improved, dad was able to return home.

He still has his neph tube and will have that for quite some time. In the hospital, some cardio concerns were also noted. Dad has a long road ahead of him, as he will be seeing a cardiologist and oncologist in LaCrosse, as well as a urologist and surgeons in Madison. The plan is to removed the bladder completely, with hopes of creating a new bladder in a mode yet to be determined. He will have to receive chemotherapy treatments, and he will have to work with cardiologists.

Anyone who knows our dad knows he is never one to ask for help, yet he is the first person to be there when someone needs help. At first, he did not want to ask for help. However, he has realized how much the out-of-pocket expenses will really add up to. He plans to use any funds raised to help pay copays and medical bills not fully covered by insurance, travel expenses to LaCrosse, Madison, and anywhere else he may need to travel for treatments and surgeries, as well as medical equipment and supplies for home. If you are unable to donate money, he said thoughts and prayers sent his way are always accepted. He will also be in need of any meals, baked goods, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates,

plastic silverware, bottled water - which are items he always uses a lot of at home. If you would like to drop off food or items, you may contact Jessie at 6083911224 or drop them off at her front porch at 302 Warah St, Boscobel. You may also direct any cards for Rex to Jessie Brandes Esser, 302 Warah St., Boscobel, WI 53805.

Thank you to everyone who has been there for our dad and for us throughout this hard time, and thank you to everyone who wants to help our dad. He is a 40-year-old inside the body of a 70-year-old, and our goal is to get him back to that so he can tractor pull and ride his Harley in no time.

Thank you, again - Rex’s daughters, Valerie Brandes (Mark Miller), Jessie Brandes Esser, and Angie Brandes Witzig (Brian Witzig) (along with Rex’s grandchildren Kaylee Brandes (Dakota Juno), Aylin Cartwright, Jayzen Brandes-Esser, and Chase Cartwright; and Rex’s great-grandchildren Tucker, Toran, and Talia Lee)