David Hermann Medical Expenses

2021 had been an unusually busy year for our dear friend, David, and his family. As vice-principal, he had helped lead a Department of Defense elementary school in Japan through the pandemic. His job called him to continue service in Okinawa where his wife, Nien-hwa, and children, Joshua and Ellie, joined him.

However, on December 20, 2021, David received the call from his doctor we all dread. A CAT scan showed a large mass on his pancreas very concerning for cancer, and he was told he needed to stop what he was doing and immediately go to the clinic. What followed was a blur. Within days, David was halfway around the world, back in the U.S. and away from his family, where a biopsy confirmed the worst: pancreatic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated. On January 17, 2022, David began the first of many sessions of chemotherapy and radiation since he was not yet deemed a candidate for surgery. By October of that year, David had sought out a second opinion about undergoing a procedure, at Southwestern Medical Center. The medical team there deemed that, in his case, the risks of the operation were not yet outweighed by the benefits. David and his family agreed that he would take the wins of his clinical stability and return to Okinawa for the holiday season.

David focused on recovering from his 10-month ordeal by concentrating on the aspects of his health within his control. As time passed, he unsuccessfully tried to engage the Japanese medical system for continuity of care close to home, but it proved exceedingly difficult. Through the intercession of his father-in-law in Taiwan, David obtained an appointment with that country’s top pancreatic cancer specialist, and was told that his Whipple procedure, though challenging, would be possible.

It then became a question of money, since the Japanese and Taiwanese facilities did not directly accept David’s insurance. David and Nien-hwa were forced to come up with $60,000 to get the medical ball rolling, hoping that they would eventually be reimbursed by the insurance company. David and his family decided to take what he felt was his best chance at survival, and the surgery was completed on May 25, 2023.

What followed was nothing less than the greatest physical challenge of David's life: the operation that removed large portions of his stomach, pancreas, and intestine; a week in the ICU; 5 weeks in the hospital; and local care in Taiwan for almost 6 more weeks. The procedure was a success, but the surgical pathology indicated that the tumor had spread to local lymph nodes. The whole ordeal has resulted in spiraling weight loss and a shock to David's immune system, further exacerbated by a COVID-19 infection. Additional chemotherapy and treatment are planned once David recovers to the point that he can tolerate it.

Nien-hwa, Josh, and Ellie were able to join David in Taiwan around the time of the surgery and initial recovery. They had to return to Okinawa to complete the school year, but are now back with him in Taiwan assisting with his convalescence. David is anticipated to return to Okinawa around August 10th, and may need to go as far as M.D. Anderson in Houston to receive additional care.

The expenses David and his family face during this time are great, and we hope to ease their burden with this fundraiser. We are asking for $75,000 to help them with housing, travel, and ongoing treatment expenses. Please be generous as you can be, with prayers and donations. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!