Fight cancer and help me marry Beth
Donation protected
This isn’t easy to write. My girlfriend Beth was just diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic Colon/Rectal cancer in her lungs. What that means is the cancer she had (and beat) four years ago has moved to a new location in her body (Her Lungs). When it does that it’s officially called stage 4 which is not good.
We just had the follow up appointment with her Oncologist. He told us that surgery isn’t a viable option due to the number of spots. Chemotherapy will start in May. On a positive note we found out that she has been approved to join a trial study of some additional drugs. Doing both chemo and the trial means a lot of appointments to coordinate but we are grateful for the opportunity.
Cancer gets fought in two ways. The first way is Medically. That’s the treatment plan. Beth has some great Doctors on her team. The second way you fight cancer is by continuing to live your life and not letting it take over your desires, dreams and plans. This gofundme is to fight cancer the second way.
When I met Beth we had an amazing instant connection and deep love. I didn’t believe I would ever find or honestly even deserve an amazing woman like her. If you know her then you’ve heard her incredible laugh, seen her stylish ways and been encouraged by her resolve and strength. Her family has been welcoming and my family has been the same. (By the way if you were wondering I already asked her dad if I could marry his daughter and he said yes.)
I was hesitant to do this gofundme for a lot of reasons but was encouraged by numerous friends to put it out there. My normal course of action would be to simply try to do it all alone and as I have said many times just “figure it out.” But, I know that won’t work in this situation. I’m stepping into the role of primary care giver which is what I want but it is also scary because it’s a new thing and going through this will be hard. I ultimately decided to admit I can’t do it all alone and ask for help. I know that we will both need prayer, care and help going forward in many ways way beyond financial.
I was a youth pastor for almost 20 years in Los Angeles, Dallas and Bellevue Washington. A couple of years ago I transitioned back to the education world and have been teaching at a HS where my primary role is an intervention specialist helping students who are behind in credit and honestly trying my best to share my faith and beliefs through actions and empathy instead of words. But, neither of my career choices provide much in the way of discretionary income which makes buying a ring and planning a wedding difficult.
Beth’s treatment will likely be ongoing. We are praying for miracles and (as are thousands of others) and hoping some new treatment option will be discovered. I knew several months ago I knew that I wanted to marry Beth. This new diagnosis has changed the timeline quite a bit and accelerated things.
This Go Fund me is fairly simple. I’m hoping to give Beth a beautiful ring with any extra going to the wedding and a short honeymoon. Beth deserves to have her wedding day be an incredible experience and one where she feels so loved by everyone. She has waited a really long time to be married and I want to do it right for her.
Any additional funds will go into an account to be used for expenses during treatment.
My favorite verse comes from the book of Joshua and it’s one I’ve held tightly to my whole adult life.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
I will be honest and say that right now I don’t feel very strong or courageous. I am afraid. Something I’ve told students for years is that when we struggle to believe a truth that it’s ok if we sit on the shoulders of those who still do. In this case your belief, strength and encouragement are needed by both of us now.
Thanks for reading this long note. It wasn’t easy to write but doing so released a burden I have been feeling about letting people in so they know what’s going on.
Thanks,-Lars
We just had the follow up appointment with her Oncologist. He told us that surgery isn’t a viable option due to the number of spots. Chemotherapy will start in May. On a positive note we found out that she has been approved to join a trial study of some additional drugs. Doing both chemo and the trial means a lot of appointments to coordinate but we are grateful for the opportunity.
Cancer gets fought in two ways. The first way is Medically. That’s the treatment plan. Beth has some great Doctors on her team. The second way you fight cancer is by continuing to live your life and not letting it take over your desires, dreams and plans. This gofundme is to fight cancer the second way.
When I met Beth we had an amazing instant connection and deep love. I didn’t believe I would ever find or honestly even deserve an amazing woman like her. If you know her then you’ve heard her incredible laugh, seen her stylish ways and been encouraged by her resolve and strength. Her family has been welcoming and my family has been the same. (By the way if you were wondering I already asked her dad if I could marry his daughter and he said yes.)
I was hesitant to do this gofundme for a lot of reasons but was encouraged by numerous friends to put it out there. My normal course of action would be to simply try to do it all alone and as I have said many times just “figure it out.” But, I know that won’t work in this situation. I’m stepping into the role of primary care giver which is what I want but it is also scary because it’s a new thing and going through this will be hard. I ultimately decided to admit I can’t do it all alone and ask for help. I know that we will both need prayer, care and help going forward in many ways way beyond financial.
I was a youth pastor for almost 20 years in Los Angeles, Dallas and Bellevue Washington. A couple of years ago I transitioned back to the education world and have been teaching at a HS where my primary role is an intervention specialist helping students who are behind in credit and honestly trying my best to share my faith and beliefs through actions and empathy instead of words. But, neither of my career choices provide much in the way of discretionary income which makes buying a ring and planning a wedding difficult.
Beth’s treatment will likely be ongoing. We are praying for miracles and (as are thousands of others) and hoping some new treatment option will be discovered. I knew several months ago I knew that I wanted to marry Beth. This new diagnosis has changed the timeline quite a bit and accelerated things.
This Go Fund me is fairly simple. I’m hoping to give Beth a beautiful ring with any extra going to the wedding and a short honeymoon. Beth deserves to have her wedding day be an incredible experience and one where she feels so loved by everyone. She has waited a really long time to be married and I want to do it right for her.
Any additional funds will go into an account to be used for expenses during treatment.
My favorite verse comes from the book of Joshua and it’s one I’ve held tightly to my whole adult life.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
I will be honest and say that right now I don’t feel very strong or courageous. I am afraid. Something I’ve told students for years is that when we struggle to believe a truth that it’s ok if we sit on the shoulders of those who still do. In this case your belief, strength and encouragement are needed by both of us now.
Thanks for reading this long note. It wasn’t easy to write but doing so released a burden I have been feeling about letting people in so they know what’s going on.
Thanks,-Lars
Organizer
Lars Rood
Organizer
Seattle, WA
