Show Rick some love during his battle w cancer
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I am reaching out to you on behalf of my very dear brother, Rick Reimer.
Over the past 2 years, Rick has been dealing with very serious health issues. You probably wouldn’t be able to tell because from day one he has kept most of it to himself, not wanting anyone to worry about him, all along keeping a positive attitude like he always has had in his life.
This journey started at the beginning of 2018 when Rick notice some blood in his urine. He took it very seriously and went straight to the doctor. The next day he had a scan and a large mass was discovered on his kidney. Soon after, Rick was at the university of MN having that kidney and mass removed. After the surgery, the mass was biopsied and analyzed and Rick was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma (kidney cancer). Further scans then confirmed the cancer had metastasized to other parts of his body (Stage 4).
Despite this news, Rick remained positive and ready to take on this fight. He started by taking a high dose of an oral chemo and for months the symptoms worsened but the tumors were shrinking. He continued taking his chemo daily for 18 months and he was feeling good, looking good, and was in high spirits.
Unfortunately in October, Rick’s scans revealed that at some point the chemo stopped working and 3 new tumors were spotted (Lungs, asaphogas, and his renal glands).
His Doctors decided to try a very intense drug called Interleukin-2 (immunotherapy/biologic therapy) Its a treatment that helps your own immune system attack the cancer. It involves 4 separate weeks in the hospital getting doses of this drug that unfortunately have unbearable side effects. It makes you violently ill and in need of round the clock care, which has made it impossible for Rick to work.
As you all know, Rick has been a milk man for Kemps for the last 25 years, and loved every minute of it. He loved the families he’s watched grow up, the seniors he has given independence to by providing them with their groceries, and all the kids and teachers at the daycares and preschools. He felt like all of his customers through the years were a part of his family.
Unfortunately Kemps downsized their garage space and had to eliminate some of the home delivery drivers, Rick- having one of the smaller businesses- was one of the milkmen effected by the downsize. Ever the optomist, Rick became everyones favorite chauffeur around town in his big party van. It was helping pay the bills while he figured out the next chapter in his life.
Lately it has been too difficult for him to work or even leave the house. The side effects from the drugs has really taken him down. His positive attitude has gotten him through all this, but now with bills piling up and no source of income, its adding extra stress to an already heartbreaking situation.
Rick could really use some help right now, and I think you would agree he has always been that guy you could count on to help you out in a time of need. His kindness and humor is what always stands out in Rick and we look forward and pray for the day he is back in good health as the life of the party.
Please consider contributing as we join together to support Rick through this very difficult fight.
Love and Blessings
Over the past 2 years, Rick has been dealing with very serious health issues. You probably wouldn’t be able to tell because from day one he has kept most of it to himself, not wanting anyone to worry about him, all along keeping a positive attitude like he always has had in his life.
This journey started at the beginning of 2018 when Rick notice some blood in his urine. He took it very seriously and went straight to the doctor. The next day he had a scan and a large mass was discovered on his kidney. Soon after, Rick was at the university of MN having that kidney and mass removed. After the surgery, the mass was biopsied and analyzed and Rick was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma (kidney cancer). Further scans then confirmed the cancer had metastasized to other parts of his body (Stage 4).
Despite this news, Rick remained positive and ready to take on this fight. He started by taking a high dose of an oral chemo and for months the symptoms worsened but the tumors were shrinking. He continued taking his chemo daily for 18 months and he was feeling good, looking good, and was in high spirits.
Unfortunately in October, Rick’s scans revealed that at some point the chemo stopped working and 3 new tumors were spotted (Lungs, asaphogas, and his renal glands).
His Doctors decided to try a very intense drug called Interleukin-2 (immunotherapy/biologic therapy) Its a treatment that helps your own immune system attack the cancer. It involves 4 separate weeks in the hospital getting doses of this drug that unfortunately have unbearable side effects. It makes you violently ill and in need of round the clock care, which has made it impossible for Rick to work.
As you all know, Rick has been a milk man for Kemps for the last 25 years, and loved every minute of it. He loved the families he’s watched grow up, the seniors he has given independence to by providing them with their groceries, and all the kids and teachers at the daycares and preschools. He felt like all of his customers through the years were a part of his family.
Unfortunately Kemps downsized their garage space and had to eliminate some of the home delivery drivers, Rick- having one of the smaller businesses- was one of the milkmen effected by the downsize. Ever the optomist, Rick became everyones favorite chauffeur around town in his big party van. It was helping pay the bills while he figured out the next chapter in his life.
Lately it has been too difficult for him to work or even leave the house. The side effects from the drugs has really taken him down. His positive attitude has gotten him through all this, but now with bills piling up and no source of income, its adding extra stress to an already heartbreaking situation.
Rick could really use some help right now, and I think you would agree he has always been that guy you could count on to help you out in a time of need. His kindness and humor is what always stands out in Rick and we look forward and pray for the day he is back in good health as the life of the party.
Please consider contributing as we join together to support Rick through this very difficult fight.
Love and Blessings
Organizer
Berta Knoop
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
