So Thankful for Our APBA Family

This post is long overdue, I wanted to send this post off around the New Year, even around Christmas... but better late than never.

I want to to take the time and thank everyone in my APBA family for donating your hard-earned money to help my wife and I during a very tough time. We feel truly blessed and we could not have got through the holiday season if it were not for your generosity, we simply can't put it into words on how much everyone came through for us.

For the ones that may not know, my wife Becky was sick in early August. At the time, we thought it was Bronchitis, but an X-Ray reviewed that there was a mysterious growth on wife's upper right lung. She was scheduled for a biopsy, but the doctor at the biopsy felt the growth was too close to a major artery, so she was referred to a thoracic surgeon instead. The surgery took place in late October, and was an overall success, the tumor that turned out to be cancerous was completely removed, along with 17 lymph nodes (one of those lymph nodes also had cancer as well), and her upper and middle lobes to her right lung. Becky had to spend 10 days in the hospital to recover. The surgeon and the oncologist both confirmed that she is now 100% cancer-free. She couldn't go back to work until right after the New Year, and was out of work since mid-October, so that left me bringing in the income during that time.

The recovery process hasn't been perfect, since the double lobectomy. She has developed esophagus issues in which she has been vomiting, we are trying to figure out all that right now, and if there is any connection to the surgery, or just really bad timing. Coughing is part of the process with her lungs (particularly her right lung) recovering, so we didn't think much when she was coughing a lot, but once she was not able to hold down fluids or solids raised concerns. None were related to influenza as well.

We have many bills now, and more doctor appointments, but we try not to let it overwhelm us. We have good friends and family in our corner and that's what matters.


Special Thanks to my friends Ron Emch and Pastor Rich Zawadzki.

A huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders thanks to Ron setting up the GoFundMe page for us. He was concerned on how we were going to pay for the incoming bills, and has seen GoFundMe help some of his friends. He got the word out on the APBA Facebook Group, and our APBA family came through in more ways than they could ever imagine.... Such an amazing APBA community that we have, nothing surprises me with this group any more! One of the people that donated, John Cochrane commented on the site & said it best "We take care of our own."

My friend, Pastor Rich also came through by selling some APBA cards and using those proceeds towards Becky's bills. He sold $150 worth and donated another $100 to GoFundMe. Becky's online friend also sent $200, while both my sister Sara, and my brother-in-law have each donated large amounts of money as well.

I can't say enough about Ron and Rich, these are two stand-up guys in the APBA community, and are always looking out for people in need. I really can't say enough about their friendship, I am honored to have such friends in our corner.

Becky knew that I was part of a great APBA community, but she didn't realize how amazing and generous everyone was. She was overwhelmed (in a good way) with all the love that the group sent her way, and we were amazed by it all, many strangers donated without even batting an eye... God bless this group!

Also a special thanks to Ron Dean from the APBA community who donated $400 of his own money, we really appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I couldn't find you in the APBA Facebook Group, I hope this post finds its way to you. Also a  special thanks to the anonymous person who donated $500 as well.

Those are all big amounts, which were very generous, but we are thankful for ALL of the generous donations, big or small...

We were not expecting much, and are so thankful for everyone

Here is a list of all the names of the wonderful people that helped us get through this tough time in alphabetical order....

Curt Bartel

Jeff Boeding

Randal Coburn

John Cochrane

Patrick Cox

Ron Dean

Tim Dusseault

Ron & Marian Emch

Sara (Baier) & Morgan Evans

Julie & Michael Gaubatz

Ken Gornstein

Heather & Neil from San Jose

Michael Kehrer

Andy & Tammy Lammers

Charlene & Scott McClure

Patrick McGregor

Rod McLeod

Paul Pavao

Doug Pryzymierski

Bradd Romant

Sheri Sample

Jim Saska

Darren Schulz

Ken & Jackie Schulz

The Schwind Family

Chris Strovel

Dan Velderrain

Michael Walko

Wendell Watkins

James Welch

Rodney Woodward

Pastor Rich Zawadzki

and the 8 Anonymous who donated as well.

THANK YOU!!!

If you haven't donated, we could always use the help,

Go Fund me link (Click on the right) >>>  Helping Becky