Dan Bergerson

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. 
  
Meet Dan, my fiance.  I met Dan through Christian Mingle in June of 2016.  Since his profile stated he lived in Grand Rapids, MN and I lived in the twin cities, a distance of 200 miles apart, I thought nothing would ever come of it.  I only went out with him as a "practice date."  I had been married for 33 years and hadn't dated in a long time.  I was pretty smitten after the first date, even though he shocked me by giving me a quick kiss on the first date!  He is the most caring loving man I have ever met.  Tells me what a blessing I am and how much he loves me every day.  


Fast forward to February of this year (2018).  I noticed a lump on the left side of his neck.  He hadn't noticed it and said it was probaby nothing as he has had a blocked saliva gland off and on for over 40 years.  By May I thought it had gotten larger and while he was gone turkey hunting, he looked in the mirror one morning and decided he had better go in.  His first appointment was May 15.  The doctor told him he wanted him to get a biopsy, which wasn't good news, but we hoped for the best.  We drove to Duluth on May 24 and the doctor said right away he was suspecting it was cancer, our biggest fear.  Lots of tears and fear while sitting around waiting for the biopsy, which came back positive.  We were floored as Dan is a healthy man, doesn't smoke and drinks very very little.  Apparently it was from HPV, which could have been lying dormant for 20 to 30 years.  


The good news is that it is highly curable!  Praise God!  The bad news, 35 treatments of radiation and 6 to 7 chemo treatments.  The radiation will eventually burn the back of his throat, leading to difficulty eating.  We opted not to get a feeding tube as the doctor said the recovery rate is faster is he uses the musles in his throat to swallow.  


We ask for prayers, as we believe God can do anything.  We both have great faith and know without God, we would not get through this.


 We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting