Cheryl Owen

An Update on Johnny’s Fight Against Stage 3 Colon Cancer: Still Healing, Still Hopeful ❤️ Well, it’s been a little while since our last update, and thankfully, we have some good news to share! Johnny continues to heal and make progress, and we’re incredibly grateful for every step forward. Since his surgery in August, we’ve slowly been finding our way back to some of the everyday moments we’ve missed so much. There are still good days and difficult ones, but for the first time in a long while, we’re beginning to catch our breath. Of course, we’re also discovering that recovery has a few surprises of its own! After bringing some concerns about Johnny’s dental health to his doctors, they ordered bloodwork that revealed his vitamin D levels were low. We were surprised to learn that chemotherapy has actually been linked to an increased risk of severe vitamin D deficiency in colorectal cancer patients—something we hadn’t even known to watch for! Johnny is now taking a supplement, and we’re also having to see a dental specialist. Thankfully, we caught it early, before something as simple as a fall could have potentially led to a serious injury due to weakened bones. It’s another reminder that even when cancer treatments end and recovery begins, the effects don’t necessarily disappear. Sometimes they show up in ways you never saw coming. While we’re incredibly thankful for Johnny’s progress, the financial burden of this past year hasn’t gone away. Between outstanding medical and hospital bills, ongoing care, unexpected dental expenses, and credit cards we’ve had to rely on to cover medical costs, we’re still trying to find our footing. And of course, the everyday bills haven’t stopped either. The mortgage, utilities, groceries, and all the usual monthly expenses are still there. It’s overwhelming when you’re having to make decisions you never imagined facing, like choosing between catching up on medical bills and keeping up with the everyday necessities of life. We’re in a much more hopeful place with Johnny’s recovery, but financially, we’re still trying to catch up from a year spent just trying to get through each day. To everyone who has donated, shared our story, checked in, offered encouragement, or helped us maintain some sense of normalcy for Odin and our family—thank you. Your kindness has meant more than we can express. If you’re able to contribute to Johnny’s GoFundMe, no matter the amount, we would be deeply grateful. And if donating isn’t possible, sharing our story with others can make a meaningful difference, too. Every bit of support helps ease the financial burden while Johnny continues to heal. We’re not quite at the finish line, but we’re moving forward, finding reasons to smile, and looking toward the future with hope. Thank you for continuing to stand beside our family, through both the difficult days and the brighter ones. We appreciate you more than words can say. ❤️ With love and gratitude, Amber, Johnny & Odin