NEWEST UPDATE

May 7, 2025

We want to say thank you to all who have been giving to us in this trying season that we are in. We pray that God blesses you more than you can imagine for helping us. In a couple of weeks, Justin goes in for an MRI and CT scan to see how much the chemo has helped. Three days after that, we find out what surgery and recovery will be like. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we trust that God will work all of this out for good. Thank you and God bless!

Update on Justin’s cancer from Nicole Degraaf

April 14, 2025

Monday April 14, 2025 was the start of Justin’s 3rd round of chemo. Justin is on chemo for 3 days every other week and will end up doing 6 rounds of chemo before we are updated about how well the chemo is working and what the next steps will be.

The week of chemo is always hard for Justin, it makes him very tired, weak, and sick. The week after chemo Justin slowly feels better and is up for visitors and going out. Though his strength and energy are limited he always appreciates friends visiting. Justin has a hard time picking up or even holding his babies and is not allowed to kiss them or me either until the chemo is out of his system. Not only is he physically worn out but also struggling emotionally.

I still work full time, most of the time, and am thankful that my schedule can be flexible to take my husband to his appointments. While I am at work Justin’s mom is taking care of the babies for us. When I get home it's all about loving on my babies and taking care of Justin. He is also on a very limited diet which we struggle with as there is not a lot Justin can eat or wants to eat either. We work together to make things work.

We are happy to say that we have been approved to move into a 3-bedroom apartment in the apartments we live in, we are just waiting for one to become available.

Hello,

My name is Nichole Degraaf. I have been married to my wonderful and amazing husband Justin Degraaf for 6.5 years. We have been blessed with two beautiful babies, Johnathan, 18 months old, and our newest addition, Josephine, 6 months old. Justin is a hard worker, an excellent provider and the best Father ever. He is loving, kind, supportive and always takes care of us.

Sadly, on March 4th, 2025 Justin was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer, and our lives were turned upside down. Due to unexplained chills and a high fever, Justin entered the ER on March 8th. He was diagnosed with an E Coli infection from his colon biopsy. During his 8 day stay, the doctors implanted a chemo port (a small device that provides a long-term access point for administering chemotherapy drugs) and started chemotherapy. His treatment will require both chemo and surgery.

Treatment and recovery will require Justin to be off work for a minimum of 6 months.

Because my husband and I have worked full time up until now, finances have never been a concern. That being said, with Justin being off work for a minimum of 6 months, we anticipate medical bills will become a financial hardship on our family.

Justin’s coworkers heard about our situation, and encouraged us to set up a Go Fund Me page. We are not ones who would generally ask for help, but in this particular situation, we decided to reach out to our friends and family who may want to assist us through this challenging time.

We very much appreciate all the love, prayers, encouragement, financial blessings and babysitting that we have received so far and want to say a big thank you.

WE ARE GRATEFUL for all of your heartfelt support. It has been overwhelmingly amazing!!!