Support Greg Elfers During His Cancer Journey

Just a brief introduction for those who are visiting this page for the first time. My brother Greg is an incredibly bright, kind, and talented 47-year-old man who was diagnosed with Stage 4a colon cancer (adenocarcinoma) on October 31, 2022. The tumor surrounded his colon and has metastasized to other organs around it. His surgeons have indicated that the primary tumor is inoperable at this time. Ongoing chemotherapy is the current course of treatment. This news has rocked their household as you can imagine, but he is in great spirits, is in amazing medical hands, and has such loving family and friends. Greg is a man of many talents and has a large network of friends…mostly because the man has never met a stranger! Everyone has been such a great source of stability and emotional support, but now Greg and his wife, Melissa, are in need of some financial assistance.

The oncologist in charge of Greg’s care is focused on his quality of life and ordered ongoing chemotherapy treatments. Greg started off responding well to the treatments. He continued to work as a remote software developer during this time. His employer has been incredibly supportive and amazing during all of this. He successfully completed 5 cycles, but then he experienced major complications in Feb/Mar of 2023 that led to three major abdominal surgeries in two weeks! After two visits to the emergency room in early/mid Feb, Greg spent a month in hospital between Feb/Mar. At one point he went septic and needed a few days in the ICU. The three surgeries left Greg with two large incisions, one mucous fistula, and one active stoma. The incisions needed extensive daily home care after his discharge. Both stomas require expensive ostomy devices to cover and manage them. The big hospital stay and surgeries really took a toll on Greg and he is still trying to build back muscle.

As of Feb 23,2023 Greg went on leave from his work, and as of June, he is on Long Term Disability (LTD) with 60% of his original income. Melissa is taking on multiple jobs, but it is not enough to cover the lost income and additional medical & living expenses.

He now continues with chemotherapy at half strength and is currently doing well with this course of treatment. As the chemotherapy treatments will be ongoing, there is no expectation for Greg to return to his work. He now works on his watercolours and watches educational YouTube to keep mentally active. Currently, Greg and Melissa make just enough to pay basic bills and other basic expenses like food, fuel, and regular medications, but they do not have room for error or unexpected expenses. This is where you and your generosity come in.

The GoFundMe proceeds will go towards things like:

Out of pocket medical treatments

Medication to relieve side effects from chemotherapy and other treatments

Expensive medical supplies — ostomy devices

Private nursing services - if needed, again

Medical travel services - Wings of Hope

Hospital food/snacks - for Greg and Melissa

Comfortable couch for Greg’s 6’4” tall frame - for him to rest on during & after treatments

Fuel expenses

Car maintenance

Day-to-day living expense

Extra groceries - Greg’s tastes and nutritional needs have changed

Premier protein/boost/nutritional drinks

Streaming services to keep Greg entertained

Financial buffer for those unforeseen and unexpected events

Greg is currently going through chemotherapy treatments. He has some issues around tolerating the treatment, so the doctor may need to move on to treatments that aren’t covered by the province, or require extra medications for side effects. They have private insurance, but they don’t know the projected out of pocket costs they would incur. Due to the nature of Greg’s cancer diagnosis, he will receive ongoing treatments, in whatever form the oncologist suggests, to give him the best quality of life possible.

The current total cost is unknown as Greg’s treatments will be ongoing and without a projected end date, but we calculate that at least $20,000 should provide enough support as Greg navigates his treatments.