Dear friends, family, and Hammies,

Our hearts are heavy as we share an update we never imagined having to write. After bravely fighting stage 3 colon cancer, my husband experienced the beautiful gift of five months in remission. Those months gave us hope, allowed us to dream again, and reminded us not to take a single day for granted.

At his very first follow-up appointment, our world was shaken. We learned that the cancer had returned and metastasized to his lungs. Today, he is facing stage 4 colon cancer of the lungs — news that has brought both heartbreak and an urgent call to lean on faith, hope, and the support of those around us.

If you know my husband, you know the incredible man he is. He is strong, selfless, and endlessly loving — the kind of person who shows up without being asked and gives without expecting anything in return. Watching the man I deeply love walk this road is one of the hardest things I have ever faced.

As we step into this fight together, our focus is on giving him the best possible care while holding tightly to hope. After much prayer, research, and thoughtful reflection, we have made the deeply personal decision not to pursue chemotherapy again. Instead, we are choosing a holistic path toward healing at the "Cancer Center for Healing" in Irvine— doing everything in our power to strengthen his body, support his immune system, nurture his spirit, and fight for more time together.

While we feel peace and conviction about this decision, the emotional weight of this diagnosis is matched by a significant financial burden. Because this approach is not covered by insurance, every aspect of his care must be paid entirely out of pocket. This includes specialized treatments, advanced scans, physician-guided therapies, non-toxic treatment options, targeted supplements, and a strict healing diet designed to support his body through this battle. These essential elements of his care quickly add up, creating a level of financial strain we simply cannot carry on our own — which is why we are humbly asking for support during this incredibly difficult time.

Asking for help is not easy, but today we are choosing vulnerability and faith. If you are able to support us, please know that any amount is deeply appreciated — no gift is ever too small, and each one makes a meaningful difference in this fight. If you are not in a position to give, we completely understand and would be equally grateful for your prayers, for sharing or reposting this GoFundMe link, or even for sending kind and encouraging words. Every act of love and support helps carry us through and allows us to focus on what matters most: his healing and the precious time we have together.

Thank you for standing beside us, for believing in his fight, and for surrounding Chris and me with love during this incredibly difficult season. We are endlessly grateful.

With all our hearts,

Alyssa and Chris Milstead