Hi-this is Jocelyn, Sebastian, Stella & Rue: Dan’s family and his biggest fans (okay-I know that’s arguable, considering how loved he is).

About 6 weeks ago, Dan was given the shocking diagnosis of stage 3or4 (they can’t tell the exact depth) esophageal cancer. Fortunately (and thankfully and against the odds etc) the cancer has not spread and is seemingly “contained” in a large tumor at the base of his esophagus. But he has a hard road ahead of him, and after 2 rounds of chemo and 2 weeks of radiation, that road is beginning to get rocky. He’s fine. I promise he’s fine and doing so well. That Can-Do Dan Spirit is always present. It’s very impressive.

Dan is a rockstar, as everyone who knows him is aware (albeit one sans alcohol, smoking or drugs). But he is starting to have a very hard time with a throat being burned by radiation and heartburn…which means laying in a comfortable position to sleep/rest is becoming difficult . And as I’m sure you’re aware-rest is the one thing he desperately needs to defeat this thing.

I want to make resting easier for him-and I know many of you want to help, but feel unable to do much (ha. Join the crowd). He’s jokingly mentioned getting a prescription for an adjustable bed (so insurance pays for it:). But jokes aside, that’s exactly what he needs-and will for quite awhile as he finishes treatment then moves on to surgery.

He’s also mentioned “splurging” on a recliner. You see, Dan doesn’t spend money on himself unless absolutely necessary: he’s usually doing things for everyone else.

Dan is ALWAYS doing things for everyone else, and if he needs something to be done, he is the very last person to ask for help. I’ve gone back & forth on how I think he’d feel about a GoFundMe. He knows he is so blessed to have such good hospitals so close by, to have advanced technology that allows for his treatments, and to have so many friends, family and loved ones. He’s grateful that the cancer hasn’t spread; for having a job with good insurance that allows him to work bedside (and a boss who is so supportive). He is abundant in his gratitude. He’d NEVER ask for help.

Well.

WE are abundant in our gratitude for HIM. He is everything to our family and has made our world so much better by being in it. The kids utterly worship him. Stella keeps telling me to have a baby because she thinks he’d be “the best dad ever.” That is absolutely not happening but she’s not wrong-he already IS the best “dad”. We want to show him our gratitude and love for him. I suspect many of you do as well.

Sometimes loving someone is knowing their weakness (or stubbornness) and navigating things for them. That’s what I’m doing now.

If you have been wanting to help but don’t know how, this is your chance. This is a zero pressure situation and nobody is keeping score or anything. I just want to put this opportunity out there. It’s simply an opportunity to say I love you, I support you.

Thanks for reading, thanks for being in Dan’s life. Let’s make sure he gets to stay in ours.