The Crombie Family

To my Lake Country Community,

If you haven't heard by now, our Crombie family are at the beginning of a long and difficult journey. Diane, Ryan and their children Jacob, Adam, Abby and Lily will be alongside Ryan as he undergoes treatment for aggresive brain cancer. In March Ryan underwent surgery to remove a 2 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" tumor from the left side of his brain. During the surgery it was found that the tumor has crossed the midline into the right side of his brain and is too intertwined with healthy brain tissue to risk removing. They removed part of the tumor which provided migraine relief and some improvement with his memory and cognitive functions.

He is lined up to undergo thirty rounds of radiation and 6-12 months of chemotherapy. The goal of these treatments is to slow the growth of the tumor and extend time with his family. The prognosis for when this tumour will become unresponsive to treatment is unclear at this point. We are all hopeful that treatment will put a pause on the growth of the tumour for several years but the future is very uncertain.

Ryan worked at the Lake Country Natural Factors Plant as a Manufacturing Supervisor. He is a sweet-spirited, hard working man and his presence is missed by his friends and coworkers.

Ryan and Diane recently had baby Lily. Previous to her mat leave Diane was an EA for SD23. She has spent years dedicating herself to working with our high needs, nonverbal autistic students and teaching them to communicate with the world around them. After having Lily, her plan was to provide subsidized daycare for our community. The paperwork had just been completed for the license, and her mat leave ended in the same week as the discovery of the tumor. The daycare has been put on hold, and Ryan is off work indefinitely.

Ryan is home resting, and preparing for his treatments that will start next week. Diane is focussed on his treatments and the well-being of their four children.

The logistics of life don't stop for illness and our Crombies are reluctant to lean on us, their community. The Crombies have served our community so well and I am happy to reach out on their behalf. Having finances tended to, or atleast eased will take the stress off the family, allowing them to focus.

Please consider supporting our beloved Crombie family.