The Situation

After a consultation with my doctor at the beginning of the year, and a subsequent scan and appointment with a specialist, I had surgery in late January to remove a tumor because they suspected cancer.

A biopsy confirmed that there was cancer, and a follow-up CT scan shows that it has spread to a lymph node. Every doctor I have spoken to has said I can expect a full recovery, and the specialist who is treating me says this is “absolutely curable.” Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we know that God is good.

So the next step is chemotherapy. I will begin four cycles of treatment on March 1st. Each cycle will be five days, with two weeks between each cycle.

From what I’m told and have read, this treatment is going to include pretty much all of the side-effects normally associated with chemo. So I can expect to lose my hair, have nausea, and significant fatigue.

In the meantime, I’m going to miss another four weeks of work over the next three months, at a minimum. And it is too early to say how I will feel between treatments. But I should be able to work from home and do some remote teaching in the office.

So our main prayer is that the doctors are correct, and that I will make a full recovery. But also that I will have the strength and energy I need throughout treatment to limit how much it impacts life for Alison and the kids. This is going to be hard on all of them to watch up close. We're trusting that God will hold us fast!

The Financial Impact

We are so thankful for how God has provided and prepared us for this situation. We have been saving to hopefully make a down-payment on a house. We have reliable health insurance and have been contributing to our HSA. And my employer provides competitive time off. 

So if everything goes as planned, there's no risk of us going bankrupt or missing bills or meals. But looking ahead, even the best-case scenario will have a pretty dramatic impact on our finances. And if I miss more work than anticipated the impact will be even more severe. 

My fundraising goal was calculated to include medical bills within our out-of-pocket maximum, various chemo-care supplies, associated non-covered medical expenses, lost work that will exceed my earned paid time off, and then rounded up to cover meals and other unexpected costs. 

I also included funds to cover my income during a week of family vacation (but not vacation costs) once treatment is over. Normally that would be covered by my paid time off. But I will likely exhaust that benefit during treatment. And I don't think it's a stretch to say my family will need that time away more than ever this year!

Update: Our goal has been reduced due to some generous offline support.

 
Other Ways to Help

We are incredibly grateful for all the support we have already received from friends, family, neighbors, work, and church! 

Please keep us in your prayers.

Watch for more information if you would like to bring us a meal (I know Alison would appreciate this while she tends to me along with caring for four young kids).

Send me a text or message if you want to help in other ways. I have already taken a few people up on offers to help with miscellaneous needs (picking up groceries, etc.). 

Thank you so much!