We never thought we’d be here. Andy was just diagnosed with a rare cancer in his spine, and everything is about to change for him and Ashley. If you know Andy, you know he’s the one who always shows up for everyone else. Now he needs us.
My brother in law, Andy, was recently diagnosed with a solitary plasmacytoma of the bone in his spine, a rare and painful form of cancer. While it is currently localized, we have been told there is a 50 to 70 percent chance it can progress into multiple myeloma, which makes this diagnosis even more terrifying.
Right now, Andy is preparing to start radiation treatment 5 days a week for the next 5 weeks. His body is already in a lot of pain, and this treatment will take everything out of him physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Andy is currently still working full time, but because of the pain he is in and the intensity of the treatment ahead, he will need to reduce his hours or potentially step away from work altogether, a job that he loves. That uncertainty alone is incredibly heavy, especially for someone who has always been the provider.
Andy has always been the steady one. The one who shows up, works hard, and takes care of his family without question. But right now, he should not have to carry that weight. He needs to focus on healing.
Ashley, my twin sister and his wife, is continuing to work full time to hold things together. But no family should have to face something like this alone, especially with the financial pressure that comes with it.
Even with insurance, the costs are overwhelming.They are facing $15-20k in radiation costs alone and thats after insurance covers their portion. On top of that, Andy will likely need surgery after radiation, which will bring even more medical expenses. This does not include the lifelong scans, bloodwork, and monitoring every 3 to 6 months to watch for progression.
If you know Andy, you know his heart. He is very giving, funny, lighthearted, and somehow always the one lifting everyone else up. Even in the middle of this kind of news and what his body is going through, he is still keeping others smiling. That is just who he is.
Now it is our turn to lift him up. To support him the way he has supported so many people in his life.
Any support, whether it is a donation or simply sharing this page, means more than we can put into words. This is going to be a long road, and our hope is to take even a small piece of the burden off their shoulders so Andy can do what matters most right now, fight and heal.
Thank you for showing up for Andy, Ashley and their children during this incredibly difficult time. <3
Nicole Ward
