After a service of 40 years with Kirkland Fire Department Ed went on to serve another almost 5 years with North Lincoln Fire and Rescue as the Fire Marshal here in Lincoln City. He loved being a Firefighter/EMT. He retired after the big Echo Mountain Fire. The lifetime exposure from the chemicals used to fight fires has been found to be very hazardous to the firefighters. Many of the "old timers" have fought many forms of cancer. Some survived, others have not.

On November 19th, our lives changed forever. My husband Ed had been growing more unstable on his feet, forgetful, and fatigued over the past few months. After a particularly difficult night, we called for an ambulance and he was taken to our local emergency room. A CT scan revealed a mass, and the doctors suspected either a stroke or a tumor. The next morning, after an MRI, I received the devastating news: Ed had a brain tumor, most likely Glioblastoma Multiforme. The tumor was massive, stretching across his brain. He was immediately transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, two hours away, where we met with Dr. Griffith, a neurosurgeon. Surgery was planned, but delayed due to emergencies. I walked with Ed to the surgical suite, holding his hand and saying goodbye, not knowing what the outcome would be. Seven hours later, Dr. Griffith explained the reality of Ed's diagnosis. Glioblastoma Multiforme is one of the most aggressive and incurable cancers. Ed faces a future of debilitating headaches, seizures, and loss of communication. Even with chemo and radiation, the tumor will return. Ed has chosen to undergo treatment in hopes of gaining a little more time to say goodbye to his children and family. He is scheduled for six weeks of chemo and radiation, Monday through Friday. We don't know yet where his treatment will take place, but it will likely be in Corvallis. The commute is too much for him, so we will need to stay near the hospital. The week already spent there has wiped out our savings, and we expect significant medical bills even after Medicare and secondary insurance. I am starting this GoFundMe in hopes of keeping our home and making it through chemo and radiation. If anyone out there has experienced what we are dealing with and could help with a donation, we would be extremely grateful. Even sending up a prayer for Ed to be as pain-free as possible would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading our story and for any support you can offer.