Support Bob Ewing's Battle Against Cancer

Everything seems like a challenge in some way for everyone these days. For the Ewing's, it has been more than challenging the last 5 years.

I am reaching out to you today to ask for a donation and support to help the family of a fellow classmate and good friend Julie Paul Ewing and her husband Bob Ewing. Their life would be changed forever when Bob was diagnosed with Bile duct cancer in 2019.

For those of you that don't know Bob well here is some background for you; Bob is a 59-year-old man who is an amazing friend, father, husband, brother, son, nephew, uncle and cousin. He is one of the kindest persons you will ever meet that is God fearing. He is a huge teddy bear that would give you the last dollar he had. He is so positive and has remained extremely positive throughout his entire journey. He loves to laugh and make everyone around him laugh. When he gets bad news, he doesn't think of himself, instead he thinks about how his wife, son and parents are going to handle it because he doesn't want them to be upset. From being homebound through his treatment, he spends hours on the phone calling people and checking on them. Everyone at the hospital loves him and tells him all the time they wish all their patients were like him. He is known as the LifeSaver man at the hospital. He loves passing out LifeSavers to anyone who takes care of him for the day. We all feel lucky to have someone like Bob in our lives and he makes our lives better.

The following events leading up to today will help understand why I am reaching out for your donations. The events are given by Julie in her own words;

"The Diagnosis: Summer of 2019 Bob started not feeling good and losing weight rapidly. After several procedures and tests he was diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer. They removed 45% of his liver.

Fast forward to the fall of 2023 he started having shoulder pain. We thought that he had pulled a muscle. Instead, our family received devastating news. Bob's cancer had metastasized and spread to his left shoulder bone, left leg bone, he had a few spots in his liver and stomach. Bob had to take a leave from his job to have shoulder surgery and has not been back since due to his treatment. He has gone through 13 months of chemo up until the end of December 2024. He has been getting monthly immunotherapy treatments since being diagnosed and will continue to do so.

In August of 2024 a new spot in his kidneys showed up. He has had two surgeries putting stents in his kidney and bladder and has to do this every 5 to 6 months. He had his last chemo treatment in December due to insurance. From studies that feel you only need 8 months of chemo which he had 13 months. We didn't realize how sick he was because that was our new normal. It was so nice to see him starting to feel better and to be able to enjoy himself.

This week we really got more devastating news that his cancer has spread to his left hip bone and one of the spots in his liver has decided to grow just a little. He has been in pain in his hip for a month now, but we didn't realize it was cancer. He has radiation next week to hopefully reduce the cancer, so he is not in so much pain. The liver spot is still too small so it will just be watched. It has been a hard week with the news that cancer has grown and is spreading again.

The doctor has told us since fall of 2023 this is NOT curable and that he is just in a grace period and that he needs to enjoy life. Chemo is no longer an option; it will not do anything but make him sick. It has been such a hard year for him. This past summer he had about a month since he was so weak he couldn't be left alone. He has had months and months of procedures, weaknesses, dizziness, and sickness from the treatments. Then he got Covid twice within two months.

Bob has been amazing through all of this and so positive. His faith is so strong he leans on God. We are beyond blessed to have such an amazing team of family and friends supporting us. Thanks for reading this, for your support, and for sharing. Every bit of kindness counts, and we’re so grateful for it. God Bless."

The emotional and financial results:

Bob has not been able to work. He was getting ready to try a day or two a week until the latest obstacle. Once he completes treatment, he will try but we are not sure if he will be able to due to his kidney cancer.

The family has been fighting their toughest battle for 17 months now financially, mentally and medically. Bob was receiving no income for 7 1/2 months and now receiving disability which is a fraction of what he was making. Julie’s income this past year has reduced by 20% due to the economy and taking time off for her own illness this past year and taking care of Bob.

Calling this situation overwhelming is a gross understatement. The costs are piling up almost daily, from medical bills and day-to-day living, and it’s more than any family should handle alone. Five years of lost income and increasing credit card debt they have incurred more than 50,000 in debt just to keep the lights on and trying to maintain their home and insurance. That’s why we’re reaching out.

Here’s how you can help Bob and his family:

• Make a Donation: Every little bit helps, seriously. Whether it's the cost of a coffee or more, it all adds up and goes straight to helping with Bob's care and the family's day-to-day life.

• Spread the Word: Share this page with friends, family, or on your social media. It’s a big help.

Bob is an amazing person with kindness, willingness to take care of people and his humor. He has always been there for his family, friends and anyone who needed him, and right now, he and Julie could use your help.

While I know most everyone is watching their own financial needs closely, please consider a donation no matter how small it might be.