Rallying for the Rettingers

This Go Fund Me account is for our dear friend David Rettinger and his wonderful family. David has been an Albuquerque firefighter and paramedic for the past 12 years. His wife Sarah is a self-employed hairdresser  and they have three young boys.

David was recently admitted on Christmas Day to Presbyterian hospital with moderate abdominal pain that would not subside. After a series of tests, including CT and endoscopy with biopsy, a diagnosis of a Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (pNET) with metastasis to adjacent lymph nodes was made. While this is devastating news, the outcome could have been much worse as most pancreatic cancers, known as adenocarcinoma, are fatal within months. pNET is a slower growing cancer with the treatment option being a very invasive and complicated surgery known as a Whipple. This surgery will be done out of state within the next month. More tests are needed in the upcoming weeks to further explore the reach of this cancer. As of now, his pain is under control and Dave should be discharged after what will have been 8 days in the hospital. He is physically feeling great and and ready to go home to his family! David is grateful that he has a fighting chance and a wonderful support team including his wife Sarah, family, friends, and his fire family with the Albuquerque Fire Department. Although there is a long journey ahead, it is the opportunity to make those steps that we are so grateful for given the grim alternative of what could have been.