Swenson Family Fundraiser

Adam was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer on September 21, 2021. He underwent orchiectomy surgery (removing the cancerous right testicle) on September 28 which successfully removed the encapsulated tumor. Unfortunately, the tumor had grown significantly in the week between diagnosis and removal, which meant that spread was likely.

On Nov 22, scans showed that cancer had spread to some lymph nodes, but his blood work looked good. This should mean that the cancer spread is contained in the lymph nodes. No chemo or radiation is planned at this point, however Adam will undergo a much more invasive surgery (RPLND, or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection surgery - read up on it if you have a strong stomach) on December 17 to remove all lymph nodes on the right side of his spine from the bottom of his heart to the pelvis. It’s a 4 - 6 hour surgery involving the removal of the inner organs on the right side of the body. 

He will spend several days in the hospital and then will be confined to bed for a few weeks and subsequently will have movement restrictions for a few months while his muscles heal. His doctor will give more details about the surveillance plan after surgery.

In the meantime, Maureen was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, an inflammatory arthritis autoimmune disease that causes extreme fatigue, debilitating pain, and destruction of bone. Maureen has several other significant health issues including severe Bilateral Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and on top of this was already mostly bedridden for the past year due to Long Covid.
 
Their daughter, Katja, has multiple health issues and has really struggled this fall. She's a senior in high school but is doing school from home as she needs full time care at home and a port surgery in the next few weeks before Adam's big surgery.

Because of all of this, Maureen is unable to work and is in the process of applying for disability for herself and Katja. Maureen will need to be the caregiver for all three of them over the next couple of months as everyone convalesces at home in isolation.

Adam just started his own freight hauling business, Lumberjack Logistics, and is working really hard for the next few weeks to earn as much as he can before the next surgery.

Given the unexpected cancer diagnosis and out-of-the-norm business complications, there was little income in November and again may not be any income during the upcoming recovery time period. The Swensons invested a lot of their savings into the new business and made conservative plans for covering the first few months of business, but cancer interrupted it all.

If you feel called to financially support the Swenson family during this difficult and uncertain time, it would be of tremendous help!

Please keep the Swenson family in prayer for healing and for grace to meet each need! Thank you so much!