Ride with Rick Huhn: A Medical Journey

Rick Huhn, a certified personal trainer and owner of Studio Fitness in Janesville, WI has been on a complex medical journey over the past three years. The current "ride" has proved to be the most challenging stretch. 

For those that know Rick, fitness has always been a constant in his life. A true passion of Ricks is biking. As an avid biker, Rick has spent countless hours training for fundraising rides. He has ridden the American Diabetes Tour de Cure six times, several of which he was recognized as a top fundraiser. He rode the National MS Society's Best Damn Bike Tour for at least 10 years, which is a total of 150 miles in 2 days. Rick also organized his own Armstrong Cancer Ride from Janesville, WI to Lansing, IA in honor of his father in law and rode that annually for 9 years. Yes, biking is his passion, but all of these hours spent with a larger goal in mind: to bring awareness to and fund-raise for causes near and dear to his heart. 

Rick has spent his life managing Type 2 Insulin Dependent Diabetes. As a result of his diabetes and the necessary management of it, he has "ridden" through open heart surgery (2017) and most recently a kidney transplant (2018). A devastating blow came in April of 2020, when Rick was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, a by-product of the anti rejection medication from his kidney transplant. 

After 6 weeks of chemotherapy, with set-backs including a blood clot in his hip, and weight-loss causing significant loss of strength, Rick received news that the tumor had shrunk enough to be removed. On August 13, he underwent a 5 hour surgery that was indeed successful in removing the esophageal tumor. However, that seems to have been the "easy" part. Rick will have to re-learn how to eat beginning with liquids only. This will slowly progress into small meals throughout the day as his stomach no longer exists like it used to. Recovery time will be at least 18 months upwards of 5 years depending on his immunal depression. 

Medically instructed lifestyle changes will require unexpected expenses to better equip their home. Due to the removal of the cancerous esophageal tumor, Rick will be required to sleep at an upright angle for the rest of his life. Therefore, they must purchase an adjustable bed as soon as possible. Additionally, home improvements such as a bathroom remodel to provide an accessible and safe bathroom will be needed.

Rick is the first person to check in and see how you are doing. He will always tell it to you like it is, while making sure you are always trying your best and doing it with a smile. Rick has touched the lives of countless clients he has trained over the years and become part of so many families through his work. He is well respected within the Janesville community and has given of himself in a large variety of volunteer efforts and fundraising events. 

 This Go Fund Me is being established in support of Rick and Deb and the unexpected financial impact this medical journey has had on them. It is with hope the monetary contributions will provide good will for the giver and a better peace of mind for both Rick and Deb.  

Let’s help Rick achieve the monetary goal to support a physical recovery and
fitness, of his own, and to complete this "ride" with a downhill coast.

Thank you in advance for your caring contribution(s).