Support Rick's Fight Against Multiple Myeloma Cancer

Hello Friends and Family,

 

My Dad, Rick was diagnosed on January 23rd, 2024, with Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma Cancer. Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer that develops in plasma cells in the bone marrow. In healthy bone marrow, normal plasma cells make antibodies to protect your body from infection. There are many symptoms to this specific kind of cancer; however, the main one my father has faced is progressive skeletal destruction specifically in his spine. He has faced so much since his initial diagnosis.

Dad has undergone 12 rounds of chemotherapy through Bronson Cancer Center as well as high dose radiation treatments at The West Michigan Cancer Center.

My Dad was making significant progress with the limitations of his diagnosis and was being considered for a stem cell transplant. His cancer responded very well to chemotherapy and radiation treatments reducing his initial plasma levels from the 70%-90% range to 5%. His oncologist and team advised it was in the perfect range for moving forward toward stem cell harvesting in preparation for a stem cell transplant. The transplant would have not only given my dad a new sense of normalcy, but the hopes of the potential ability to return to work and, most importantly, increase his life expectancy.

In early April, he began to have significant pain in his thoracic and lumbar spine. He was readmitted to the hospital for a few weeks where he was assigned neurologists to his care team. The neurologists had a plan to perform a Kyphoplasty.

A kyphoplasty procedure is where cement is injected into the injured vertebrae in hopes to relieve some of my dad’s pain. In addition to the Kyphoplasty, they also performed a Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) in sections of his spine. RFA uses heat to destroy cancerous tissues for pain management.

After surgery, Dad began experiencing numbness and tingling on top of his vertebral pain which resulted in a Spinal Laminectomy surgery to try and decompress the cancerous tumor tissues surrounding his spinal cord. That week, my Dad lost his ability to walk.

My Dad was transferred to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital as his oncologist and care team were hopeful that with daily physical/occupational therapy, it would help strengthen and prepare him for daily living at home after being discharged.

Currently, my Dad is being transferred back to Bronson for further care and potential chemotherapy and radiation treatments down the road. He’s done such a wonderful job at Mary Free Bed; however, he’s facing other complications now. Sadly, Multiple Myeloma Cancer is not curable. 

 

Over the past six months, my Dad has faced so many hardships and setbacks with his health and overall livelihood. He was unable to continue working along with his FMLA running out so he is no longer employed at Oshtemo Township of 12 years.  

This has financially taken a toll on my Mom, Tami. She has been a complete and total rockstar! She has been a registered nurse for almost 36 years and it continues to amaze me every single day how much love she has for him. They are truly best friends.

Currently, the necessary house modifications are underway to ensure that my Dad can feasibly live at home. A ramp and new sidewalk are being installed for safe transport in/out of the house. New flooring is also being installed to assist with ability to use a wheelchair and other equipment.

In writing this, I know my Dad would never expect or ask for any handouts or financial support during this time. I can’t think of a time that my brother Kevin and I have gone without in our lives. We’ve been so fortunate and blessed to have been given such kind, loving, and incredible parents. It truly breaks my heart seeing them go through this and we’re doing everything in our power to help.

 

My entire family and I are incredibly humbled and appreciative of all the prayers and support that we have received from friends/family, healthcare providers, even complete strangers with each passing day. I remember as soon as my Dad found out what he was getting ready to face; he looked at me in his emergency room and said “Kara, I will do absolutely anything and everything in my power to fight for as hard and long as I possibly can to be here for you, mom, and Kevin. I’m here to tell you that he’s done just that and then some. 

 

Thank you for continuing to love on my family throughout this extremely heartbreaking time. It means more to us than you’ll ever know.