We are rallying around a strong man, a father, brother, friend, avid golfer, and veteran, as he fights hard on this unexpected recovery journey from a stroke and late-stage cancer. On the cusp of retirement, at the ripe age of 66, Brice, a father of two daughters and 5 grandkids, had a massive stroke on his annual trip to his cabin up north.
The stroke left his right (dominate) side paralyzed, speech limited to yes and no, as well as some reduced brain functioning. After wonderful care in the hospital, 3 months of very hard work in transitional recovery, and family by his side every single day, he regained significant mobility needing only a cane to walk, learned to write and function with his left hand, started re-training the muscles in his right leg and arm, could perform all self-care needs, and speak in slow but full sentences once more. By Thanksgiving he was well enough to return to his home in the south to continue his recovery to full health again, with one of his daughters moving down to provide full-time care.
Unfortunately, it was at his arrival home that he noticed a mass above his abdomen, which started to cause him slight pain. By early January, the pain was so severe he had to be taken to the ER. Initial CT scans showed metastasis (stage 4 cancer) nodes and lesions in his upper body in bone, esophagus, lungs, and muscle. Further testing and scans through his oncologist and surgeon have revealed masses all throughout his body and in various degrees of sizes. An initial biopsy was not done properly so it had inconclusive results. A secondary, surgical biopsy of two areas with large masses is scheduled. Upon results, Brice will be relocated to Minnesota to pursue treatment at the Mayo Clinic.
Ever the stubborn warrior, Brice has no quit in him as he battles day by day to hold fast to his regained speech and mobility, while undergoing the newer challenges of pain management and steadfast nutrition in the face of the lengthy process to diagnose and treat his specific cancer.
We, his family, are asking for your support first in prayer and hope for his full recovery. We are trusting that God has a plan and will get all the glory for wherever this journey leads. If you are able, your financial support will alleviate the costs which his insurance and the VA do not cover or have yet to approve, such as:
-prescription medication out-of-pocket
costs
-specialized wheelchair and mobility equipment
-home health care supplies, such as IV’s
-general expenses of full-time, in-home care
-travel expenses to the Mayo Clinic
-upcoming assisted living costs in MN
You, Brice’s community of family, friends, coworkers, fellow VGA golfers, AA members, and neighbors are the solid reminder of all his has to live and fight for - the strength he finds to keep going on the hard days. You are part of why he still wears a smile, and laughs as often as possible. Thank you for joining us to rally around Brice on this journey so he doesn’t carry these burdens alone. Our gratitude for your loving, compassionate support cannot be measured in words or phrases!