Flerlage family medical bills

Hello Friends and Family!

Katherine & I are posting this today because it is time to rally behind our family member/friend. Some of you may already know that Ryan was diagnosed with MALT Lymphoma in his lacrimal gland. He first noticed symptoms back in early April. He saw his optometrist several times before seeing his primary care doctor. His eye was swollen, his vision was blurry, he was having headaches and there was some drooping to that side of his face. A CT scan revealed his right lacrimal gland was enlarged so he was referred to an ophthalmologist specializing in ocular surgery. Ryan had not responded to steroids at this time. The doctor saw him and said it could be one of three things…an anti inflammatory problem, an auto immune disorder or cancer. They tried a round of high dose steroids again but nothing worked. Ryan ended up in the ER at St Luke’s hospital in Kansas City, MO where the doctor was located and admitted to do a biopsy and receive high doses of steroids intravenously. Initially the pathologist said the tissue was benign and a rheumatologist was brought on board. Ryan followed with this doctor and his primary care physician after, trying long term high dose steroids and methotrexate. Ryan was not getting better…vision continued to be blurry, headaches continued and over felt awful. The rheumatologist was ruling out an auto immune disorder called IgG4 while on the back end, his primary care physician sent a consult to Mayo to review the case. Unfortunately the pathologist at the Mayo Clinic confirmed what the family dreaded to hear…Ryan was diagnosed with cancer…specifically MALT Lymphoma of the lacrimal gland. He will meet with an oncologist to determine the course of treatment in the upcoming weeks but until then he must wait. Ryan is unable to work due to the vision loss and the painful headaches. His wife Diane is currently working full time to support them and their two children Madison and Mason. The medical bills are beginning to flow in and despite insurance, the amount due is building quite large. The fight has yet to begin and could go on a while depending on how Ryan responds to treatment. Treatment will possibly consist of another surgery on his eye, radiation and chemotherapy. They will find out the stage of the cancer and if it has spread after visiting with the oncologist. We are asking for help from you as his family and friends to please keep this family in your prayers as well as if possible to donate to this fundraiser. Any amount would be appreciated as it will ease the current financial burden of medical bills and the upcoming mountain of bills they are facing. We will keep you posted as his begins his journey to fight cancer Thank you!