David Abbott's Journey to Recovery aka FU Cancer

This is definitely a situation of “WHY?!?!?” and/or “HOLY f*#k, NOT AGAIN?!?!?”

But here we are, called to support our dear friend and community member, David Abbott.

David's story of endurance, triumph, bravery, and optimism is made for the silver screen....or at least a really well-produced Netflix special. Unfortunately, it is real life - David's real life.

This will be David's 7th battle with cancer.

The Medical Summary:

Pancreatic Cancer this time. Fortunately, it isn't the "get your affairs in order"-metastatic-carcinoma kind, but it is the "we have to do major surgery to remove an entire organ" - kind.

After spending the last three weeks in Butterworth trying to solve the puzzle of why his liver had shut down, the oncological team, headed by Dr. Matthew Chung, settled on a diagnosis and course of treatment. David is currently resting at home with a liver-drainage-port that will work to decrease the liver-induced toxicity in David's body, in preparation for "the big" surgery (currently scheduled for March 24) to remove his pancreas.

The Impact:

1. Work: Obviously, David will be out of commission for an extended period of time. In typically optimistic David-fashion, he thought he could go back to work in between his surgeries. Well......that is a big fat no. He is physically exhausted and immunocompromised. The pancreatic surgery scheduled for March 24th will be a major abdominal surgery, with an expected 6-8 weeks of recovery time.

2. Food: Because the issue is centralized in his pancreas, this experience has FAST-TRACKED David into a lifetime of insulin treatment and blood sugar regulation. For the foreseeable future, David's diet will have to be meticulously monitored and regulated. We mention this because one, it is a huge adjustment and stressor, and two because the most natural response to a friend in need is to bring food....and we can't.

3. Energy Regulation & Immune System Considerations: David is going to have to work very hard regulating his energy exertion. Everyone that knows him, knows that this will NOT be easy for him. But it is imperative that he centers his healing during this most critical time. We would ask that if you interact with David, you take every precaution to protect his delicate immune system (masks, masks, all around....)

The Need:

1. Financial Support IS Emotional Support: David is not a person that likes being off his feet and out of work, and any one of us staring down the pipeline at 3+ months out of work would be worried.

As such we will be fundraising for David's living expenses, plus the monster $9K medical insurance deductible bill that is going to be coming in the mail. After his pancreatic surgery, it is very likely that David will need some supplemental medical support at home, especially in the first few weeks.

2. Support, Well-Wishes, and Grace: David is so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and well-wishes that he has received. This journey is going to be long and arduous. As his supporters, we will work diligently to keep all those that care about David updated and abreast of the latest news. We would ask that you keep David in your thoughts and are patient in regard to receiving a response directly from David. He reads every message and is overwhelmed with gratitude, but his energy is low.

Thank you all for your thoughts, well-wishes, and for reaching out to see how you can help.

If you would like to be involved more directly in David's support over the next several months, please reach via the "David Abbott's Journey to Recovery" Facebook Group. You can also reach out directly to any of the people listed below.

We are all taking this one day at a time. :)

Much Gratitude,

Team David

Randy Block

Jane Timmer

Anna Baeten

Jennifer Kuzman Lannon

Joe & Claudia Pohlen