Arthur (Art) Roemer

This story begins in earlyJanuary with what we thought was the flu.  Dad experienced flu like symptoms of exhaustion and upset stomach.   As it moved into the second week without getting better, we took him to his GP who treated him for the flu.  5 days passed and  he still was not better so John took him to the ER.  That night we received a shocking diagnosis.  The doctors suspected he had stomach cancer spread there from somewhere else in his body.    After other tests,  the doctors told us it was highly likely that it began in the colon and spread to the stomach.   With the cancer metastasizing they labeled it stage 4 colon cancer.  They drained over 2 liters of fluid from his stomach and warned that “tapping” will be a regular activity as the fluid will continue to build.



Dad is working to regain strength lost during the time he was in bed but it’s a challenge.   Stomach cancer takes away the hunger (and in this case the desire) to eat.  Fortunately, he is not in any pain at this point.


While Dad has lived a long wonderful life, this is devastating to our family.    As a WW2 veteran and loyal civil servant to the State of MN, he is a hero to many.   While all stories must come to an end, this ending is particularly sad for our family.   `We know he is going to be in a better place in Heaven with God and trust that God will be with us as we walk this final journey with Dad.