One of our Nation’s heroes, MSG (Ret) Nidy has spent most of his adult life serving and protecting our nation.  It’s time for us to help him in his fight for life.  He’s a loving husband and father of two remarkable children.  He was originally diagnosed with colon cancer in October of 2014.  He and his family fought through that with success but he was diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer in December 2016 and needs liver transplant surgery.  Our goal is to raise at least $50K which will be used to cover medical bills, travel and lodging expenses as well as lost wages.  Donations will also be used to cover expenses incurred by a living donor during the transplant process, or continued cancer treatment  for Scott until a diseased transplant is available which is expected to take over a year and a half.

 

Scott has lost several days of work and incurred thousands of dollars in expenses over the course of his fight for life and unfortunately has a long road ahead.  In spite of everything he and his family has been through they remain remarkably up beat and positive, always taking the time to thank everyone and keep us updated as to Scott’s progress.  Until now Scott and Heidi have been fighting this battle largely on their own with a little help from friends and family, but they are going to need much more help in the days to come.  Below are a few examples of their character and graciousness.

 

Dec 7, 2016 email to friends and family;

 

“I cannot think of a good time to share bad news but with Christmas so close, tonight it is especially hard and feels, if possible, a little more unfair...

 

Scott heard from his doctor today and he does in fact have Bile Duct Cancer.  While we had hoped for the best and prepared for the worst, I don't think you can ever prepare to hear those words.  We are thankful the cancer is "contained" (lymph node biopsies came back clear and the Ultrasound did not show any masses in his liver or pancreas) and remain grateful we have the means to receive care from the best specialists in the country at Mayo but we are of course still a little in shock.  We will be back at Mayo on Wednesday (a week from today) to meet with a cancer specialist about treatment (assumed at this point to be three weeks of chemo) and then he will receive a liver transplant which is protocol for this kind of cancer.  I will send more information about the treatment plan and transplant after we get back next week.  Until then...

 

So many of you continue, in your kind ways, to ask what you can do for us.  At this time, we're ok.  Honestly, please just spend time with the people who mean the most to you, hug them a little harder and be generous with your "I love you"s...I know we will be.  And when things get harder and we know they will, we promise to reach out and be better about asking for help...whatever that might be at that time.”

 

With continued thanks and love,

Heidi

 

Dec 13, 2016 email to friends and family;

 

“As well, many of you ask about how we're doing which is never an easy question to answer.  While we try to remain positive and optimistic, naturally we have our moments of doubt and fear too...never really knowing what is coming next.  We know this is hard for you too.  So many of you have said, "I'm sorry you're going through this...I don't know what to say".   Please know, there are no right words and sometimes saying anything at all is truly enough because literally your thoughts, prayers and well wishes are what continue to help us along.  And far more than we'll ever be able to thank you for.”

 

Short of any big changes, I will write again next week.

With love,

Heidi

 

So we make this plea for a beautiful family struggling with an ugly unforgiving disease, who is in need of your help and your compassion.  We hope that by creating this page we can take a little bit of the burden from them in lieu of the inevitable hard days that lay ahead.  We also wish that those of you who don't know this family personally could meet them in the future.  Our lives are better for knowing them we are certain your lives would be too.