It’s amazing how quickly life changes and forces you to reevaluate everything.
On Nov. 21, 2025, the day he turned 59, Jon—a Navy veteran, talented writer, and amazing husband and father—wound up in the ER after visiting a specialist about the awful back and rib pain he’d been experiencing the past few months. The pain that we’d thought was due to two bulging discs in his back, that medications and an epidural had barely relieved, that had been accompanied by a 30-pound weight loss over three months, was actually due to cancer in Jon’s spine and ribs.
The news shocked us. I remember my knees shaking. I remember my husband at one point saying, eyes wide, “I’m only 59.” I remember calling our daughters—Kelsey, age 23, and Brynn, who turns 22 this month—and having the doctor help us tell them the news, news that came only a few days after I had assured Kelsey that her dad would get better soon.
Testing has indicated that Jon has multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer that affects the bones. We’re still awaiting the complete pathology from a bone marrow biopsy to determine the full extent of the cancer and the mutations driving it, but what we know for sure is that people can live for years, and some for many years, with this type of cancer. That is our hope and prayer: that Jon has years, and many years, here with our family and the many people who know, respect, and love him.
So far, Jon has had two surgeries to remove tumors that ate away two vertebrae in the thoracic and cervical areas of his spine. If left unaddressed, these could have caused paralysis. He may also need surgery for a lesion on a bone in his right arm that an X-ray revealed this morning. This latest development has delayed Jon’s move to an acute rehab facility, and we’re not yet sure how it will affect the start of chemo in the next two to three weeks. Chemo was planned to last for four to six months and, after a brief break, be followed by a bone marrow transplant.
Our family is still processing the news and considering all the practical matters related to Jon’s care. Even so early in this process, we’ve accepted that we’ll need some financial assistance as Jon navigates this challenging journey. We’re seeking donations that will help with:
- Medical expenses: We have health insurance, but it’s a high-deductible health plan (the in-network individual/family deductibles are $3,300/$6,600, and the in-network individual/family out-of-pocket maximums are $6,000/$12,000), so we’ll have many thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses in the coming months.
- Purchases to make our home more accessible for Jon when he comes home: I’ve already bought many items we need, such as tools to help him use our bathroom and bed with as little pain as possible as he heals from his back and neck surgeries. However, we expect much more is needed, such as a grab bar for the shower, an adjustable bed and a better office chair.
- Food costs: Our food spend will increase, as Jon has been put on a high-protein, high-calorie diet when he goes home, changing not only what he eats but also how we shop for and prepare his food. For example, we may need to rely on grocery delivery services during his chemo treatments.
Donations may also by used to help with:
- Bills: As we increase our spend in areas related to Jon’s care, this could affect our ability to pay some of our bills.
- House and yard maintenance expenses: While it’s not the highest priority, we hope we can afford some assistance with caring for our home (e.g., a periodic cleaning service) and yards (e.g., a landscaper to remove trees and perhaps someone to do maintenance).
Thank you for any financial assistance you can provide. Even if you can’t donate, we’re grateful for your prayers and positive thoughts for Jon.
To learn more about Jon’s cancer journey, please visit his Caring Bridge page.