Nate Fouts & Family Battle Multiple Myeloma

A few words from friends…

Many of you know Nate and Bridget Fouts as college sweethearts who met at Texas Tech University, married, and have been raising 7 kids (ages 6-18) in the Spring Branch, Texas area for close to 20 years. Maybe you’ve seen their family at one of the local schools, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, or at the ball fields where Nate has coached youth teams for over 13 years. As an active family of 9, the Fouts are easy to spot, and many of us have been a recipient of their acts-of-service. Nate’s witty sense of humor and Bridget’s willingness to offer prayers often help lighten the load and provide kindness during difficult times.

Well, right now, they are in great need of our kindness and support! Nate has just been diagnosed with Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma (blood cancer), and he and the Fouts family have a long, but hope-filled, road ahead of them. With much encouragement, Nate and Bridget have humbly agreed to share their current situation and accept the prayers and support that many wish to offer them in this time of need.

Leading up to diagnosis…

Nate had been experiencing some odd pains and fatigue for a few months. He had shoulder and back pain that was getting progressively worse, even with basic therapeutic care, and after visiting his doctor, his preliminary bloodwork indicated he was anemic. Of course, as the owner of a landscaping company and a baseball coach, he has always been active and a few aches and pains are part and parcel of aging, so no one had reason to be too alarmed and Nate started taking iron supplements more consistently.

After worsening pain, extreme fatigue, and occasional nose bleeds, Nate visited his doctor earlier this week and had more bloodwork completed. On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Nate and Bridget received news that he most likely had a ‘blood cancer’ and needed more testing to make the official diagnosis and determine the treatment plan. As you can imagine, this was quite shocking and very difficult for Nate, Bridget, and the kids. Many tears were shed.

That same night, Nate had a bloody nose that would not stop bleeding. Bridget took him to the local hospital and between his blood loss and low hemoglobin levels, he received an immediate blood transfusion. Nate was stabilized and sent home, with appointments in place with an ENT and Hematologist for the following day.

Unfortunately, his nose started to profusely bleed that night, and on Friday morning, Bridget was advised to take Nate to University Hospital, in hopes of more comprehensive care. While there, Nate required more blood and plasma transfusions, and multiple scans/images were taken to determine a diagnosis and prognosis. It was determined that Nate has Multiple Myeloma-Stage 3, the most progressed stage of this type of cancer. Because this is a blood cancer, it is throughout his body, and imaging has revealed that he has Lytic Bone Lesions, which is bone damage resulting from the cancerous plasma blood cells in the bone marrow…hence, the cause of his shoulder and back pain and his inability to clot on his own.

Treatment Plan…

While remaining in the hospital, Nate has received his PICC line and has started his first 8-week chemo/cancer treatment protocol. He will need blood transfusions throughout, as his ‘numbers’ are slow to stabilize and he requires healthy blood to fight the infection/cancer. He will most likely have a bone marrow biopsy within the week.

Multiple Myeloma is a lifelong diagnosis, with on-going treatment, but the Nate we know and love will fight for himself and his family, without fail. There is hope for remission and the family remains optimistic and grateful to God for medical advancements. It is quite possible that Nate is able to enter remission, his bones heal, and he carries on living for many more years, being present for his wife and kids!

How to help…

First and foremost, PRAYER! Nate and Bridget’s faith is strong, and they know God does not give us more than we can handle. They recognize that they have a long and tough road ahead of them, and they ask you to PLEASE pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician, for healing, peace, and comfort as the entire family endures this trial. The effects of chemotherapy are truly sobering, and they are leaning in hard to the Lord, their extended family, and the community’s outreach.

Second, if you have been blessed by God and/or feel called to contribute financially, please know that all contributions will go directly to Nate’s medical costs and the sustaining of the Fouts family during this time. The family is aware that Multiple Myeloma treatments are costly and Nate is likely to be extremely fatigued throughout the process. Nate is the sole provider for his family and although he hopes that his landscaping company, Texas 7, will be able to maintain some level of work while he is absent, Nate has a realistic understanding of his health and this challenge for his small business. So, if you financially contribute to just one or two charitable causes this year, this is a worthy one!!!

Lastly, if you feel inclined to share Nate’s story or forward this request for prayer and support in your circles via social media, please do so (#FoutsFight)! Nate is always the first to help a friend in need, and now we get the chance to support him in return.

The Fouts family is deeply appreciative of everyone’s help! Nate and Bridget have said that it is humbling and a true witness to the character of their friends to receive all the well wishes and inquiries into how people can assist. They are so grateful.

Please help us rally around them and their kids during this distressing time and ease their financial burden so that they can focus as a family on Nate’s healing! We will continue to post updates regularly, so be on the lookout.

Thank you & God bless!

*Common question: Why is there a 12% gofundme tip on the donation page?

-Please know that gofundme does NOT require a tip from the donors; it is completely optional. Each contributor is free to slide the tip to any percentage between 0-30 or customize a tip if you so desire. The mandatory transaction fee for each contribution-no matter what the amount- is only $0.30 (30 cents) + 2.9 % (credit/debit card fee)...and this is taken care of on the receiver's end. But, if you prefer not to contribute via gofundme, please contact me and I can share other options (personal check, etc).