Update from my Mom on Russell’s progress: 8/19/23 Update on Russell’s Esophageal Cancer Battle. Before we begin... we want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the prayers, love and financial support we have received during this horrible unexpected cancer battle. Through the grace of God, Thursday Russell was able to complete his last Chemo treatment for now. Hopefully next Tuesday will be his last day of radiation. It certainly has been a rough road that he never expected. Cancer is a monster of a disease that rips away every ounce of energy you have left in your body. Russell has fought diligently every step of the way through this. Not being able to eat any food for over 5 months has been his biggest obstacle. It has definitely taken its toll on his body. He has learned how to live on a feeding tube 22 hrs a day 7 days a week. The next step in this process is to wait 3-4 weeks before they will be able to do a Petscan to determine whether or not there is any cancer left in his body. Then a date for surgery will be scheduled. They are telling us they will have to relocate his stomach and esophagus to another part of his body. We are praying that there will be another way to do this. We will keep you updated at that time. Again thank you all for everything you have done for us… we couldn’t have made it this far without each of you. Much Love to you all. From the beginning: We've got an important one here, folks! Many of you know my sweet Dad, Russell Reeder, as the guy who always wants to help everyone out. Everyone and anyone, just ask him. The one who will pick up a random call and fix stuff, offer to fix stuff or get someone to fix stuff....he's always been our fixer. Now, he needs some fixing of his own. Let me start again.... If you're reading this, it may come as a surprise, or you may have been let in over the past few weeks to something that my family has been quietly trying to get our arms around. On June 8, 2024, just four short weeks ago, we received the devastating news that Russell had been diagnosed with stage 3 1/2 esophageal cancer. An added blow was also the discovery of a pesky, 5cm inoperable tumor on the base of his esophagus/top of his stomach that hasn't allowed him to really hold any solid food in his body for about three months. Pesky I say, because the location of the tumor is simply too dangerous to do anything with at this point. Just enough of a problem to not let anything in...so...hello feeding tube, also an unexpected challenge and sadly, our new normal. Stage 3 1/2 you say? Not quite a three but not quite a four, you know, it's always something with us. Needless to say, we were in shock with the news, though, we knew something was wrong...just had to find the right doctor to get to the correct diagnosis so we knew what we were fighting. Now we do, so let's go. As I write this, Russell is on the eve of beginning his aggressive radiation and chemotherapy treatments, something that will take him out of commission for quite some time. If successful, ONCE SUCCESSFUL, and provided the aggressive treatments get the tumor to shrink enough for surgery, well, then it's on to phase two. An invasive, risky, dangerous surgery to remove it, rebuild, and get him back up and running. Those of you who know him can understand what a blow this is to our family. The man who has worked so hard for so long to provide for those he loves, family or not, blood or acquaintance, simply cannot anymore. He needs our help and though he will never ask for it, EVER, I know the stress and strain this is to him and my sweet Mama right now, and I do believe it is the right thing to do and the right time to do it. So, dear friends, I am starting this page because we continue to get the question of "what can I do for y'all?" To be frank, this is an overwhelming, expensive medical hill to climb, one that if you stop to think about it can really interfere with the mindset that we all need to have right now - which is beat this ugly, nasty, spiteful disease, NO MATTER WHAT. If I can alleviate any of the financial stress on my parents, that's the goal. They have enough to deal with and anything helps. My sweet Mama is primary caretaker and I really want her to simply focus on getting themselves through this right now, nothing else. That's my humble ask of anyone reading this, should you be able to help out with these mounting costs that seem super daunting right now. It's a lofty goal, but I know I speak for my family when I simply say...thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for listening. More than anything, I just wanted to give anyone an opportunity that has or will ask how to help right now. Thank you, thank you. I will continue to send updates. Now, let's go kick this thing!! Sending you all the love and light - Lisa, Linda, and the extended Reeder family...xoxo
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