Help a Firefighter and His Family!

The Vander Vliet's sure have had a rough 2016! The beginning of March, Shonny, who has been an Athletic Trainner in this community for many years and works in the ER at Poudre Valley Hospital as an EMT, was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue-basically tongue cancer. After numourous medical consultations she underwent surgery and had a major percentage of her tongue removed. After the surgery, the family was told there was a good possibility that she would not be able to talk again. With a painful recovery, she had to learn to speak again, eat again, and swallow again! She was making great progress in her recovery, until 3 months post-op, when she recieved news due to another PET Scan there were more spots of potential cancer, sending her back to the OR. This time for a bilateral tonsilectomy, multiple biopsies, a tongue release, and the reopening of the side of her tongue that was still recovering from the first surgery. Luckily there was no more cancer found, but of course this meant that she needed to learn to talk, eat, and swallow all over again, on top of healing again from the painful surgeries! 

Fast forward to this October, Shonny was doing much better and slowly returning to work. One morning, after John got off shift as a firefighter for Poudre Fire Authority, he was struggling with breathing, terrible cough, and chest pain, so he went to Urgent Care thinking he had pneumonia. They quickly ruled that out and sent him to the ER for further work up. They ended up diagnosing him with bilateral pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in both of his lungs). He spent 2 days in the Intensive Care Unit and several more days in the Medical Unit at Poudre Valley Hospital. He has since returned home, and is making progress in recovery every day. 

So here is where I am asking you for your generous hearts and support! As as you can imagine medical bills are expensive, and with both mounting medical bills and limited incomes during this time, any financial help would be really appreiciated and helpful for this amazing family who has always been there for us and everyone they know! 

Now, how do I know these people you ask? They are my neighbors, who we consider family! Shonny and John have been such an amazing part of our lives and they are the most giving and kindest family you will ever meet. They have always been there in times of need for us, and everyone we know. They truly are amazing people, and now they just need a little help from us, their friends and family! 100% of any donations will go directly to them and help them pay off this medical nightmare of 2016! ANYTHING will help, $1, $5-anything you can spare for this amazing family will be helpful! Thank you to everyone in advance for all of your love and support for the Vander Vliets!