Some GOOD for Steve Goodwin

My Name is Amber and on behalf of the Callahans, Dicksons, & Goodwins I write this. I have the awesome privilege of being the only Calla-Sister-in-law to one of the coolest guys I have ever met. Steve Goodwin has always been a kind, hilarious, supportive, genuine person. The first to crack a joke, break the ice, offer to lend a hand, walk with you in a dark moment or just be a friend. A man of God, A FAMILY MAN, smart, talented and creative... HONESTLY that doesn't even start to cover who Steve is to so many people. It barely scratches the surface of who he is to all of us who love him.

 

The last two years have been full of personal trials for so many people. And I think we have all learned to expect the un-expected and that it takes a village to get through it. We all need our people, our friends, family, church, our tribe. And that is what brings me here. It's the unexpected that has me thinking the GOODWIN'S who delight in doing so much good for others, could use their people and some help right now themselves.

 

If you haven't heard the news, heres what happened:

 

Two weeks ago, life was "normal": Work, Play, Live, Laugh, Love... REPEAT. But on the evening of Sept 15th 2021 Steve went into the ER due to abdominal pain, thinking maybe he had appendicitis. Bloodwork was the first sign of a larger problem, coming back with a white blood cell count of 270,000. Further tests determined his diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) which is cancer of the blood and lymph nodes. The treatment plan so far is chemo in the form of a pill. AN INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE PILL. This type of cancer tends to eventually stop responding to whatever treatment is given so that’s why they want to start with the lowest level treatment possible so they have options to progress through as time goes on. The great news is that this was caught really early. The scary news is that this type of cancer could change or progress pretty quickly all of a sudden. So, we’ll have to keep a close eye on it.

As you can imagine, this changes everything. Cancer is an adversary many of us understand and have been touched by in one way or another in our lifetime. We know early detection and treatment is optimal. We also know this isn't a cheap road to travel. So... that is in part where you can all play a roll and help Steve and his family. Every financial gift given and every prayer offered is deeply appreciated and coveted by all of the family. When we all pull together, big things can happen. The cost of these medications are highway robbery at $10+k a month (we can save that fight for another day...but wow). The financial toll this will take is currently unknown. In this moment we are working to change the medication to something that will be better covered under insurance and still most effective for Steves longterm health. But for the time being. This is where we are and it's as you can imagine overwhelming. Our Go fund Me will greatly help in covering these first two months of medical & life expenses as the answers are searched for and solutions found.

 

We will come back here to update periodically with more information on the diagnosis & treatment as that is available and with specific prayer requests and financial needs. All though I get the privilege of calling Steve - super-Bro ... I have a feeling he has had that same genuine impact on anyone who knows him. Let's show Steve & Jeannie, and their kids just how much they are loved and how GOOD they have made our lives.

 

Thank you all in advance for your prayers, well wishes and generosity!