Eric Sauser

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We have created this page with the intention of keeping family and friends updated on Eric’s progress in a centralized location. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this difficult time. 

In March of 2019, Eric complained a few times of being short of breath.  Being the caring and nurturing wife that I am (ha!) I said to him, "if you don't feel well, go to the doctor.  I don’t know what you want me to do about it!"  Thankfully, Eric set up an appointment with his doctor for what we thought was some generalized shortness of breath.  

On April 3rd, he went to his appointment, where they drew some blood and other labs.  They concluded he had a heart murmur and worked him up for that diagnosis.  

On April 8th, the final lab report came back.  They called to let Eric know his labs were abnormal and they were going to have him meet with a hematologist.  

On April 10th, we met with the hematologist who repeated the labs.  This time, the labs came back critical and we were immediately worked up for blood cancer testing.  

That evening, we received the devastating news that Eric had a preliminary diagnosis of Leukemia.  

The next few days were full of tests, procedures, and a whirlwind of emotions.  Sleepless nights, teary conversations, thoughts we never thought would happen to us, and so much more came to follow.  We knew we had to tell the kids but didn't know how.  After many long talks, we told the kids, began our new normal and made a decision to fight like hell.  

On Monday, April 22nd, the second bone marrow biopsy came back with a final diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).  MDS is essentially a precursor to Acute Myeloid Leukemia and is classified as a leukemia cancer.   Eric’s type of MDS is RAEB2.  

While the fight began from day one, we have officially kicked off treatment as of today (April 23rd).    

We are treating at the Nebraska Med Center and have the utmost level of faith in our care team.   Today, he received his first dose of chemo which kicks off a 24 day regime of outpatient chemo cocktails, not the cocktails he was hoping for; but...hopefully they will do the trick.  Once we finish that, we will wait for the results of another bone marrow biopsy and then begin our journey of a stem cell transplant.  

We are so thankful for everyone's love and support.  The outpouring of well wishes and prayers for strength and healing have been amazing.  Every offer for assistance is received and so appreciated.    Please continue to keep Eric in your thoughts and prayers.  We will try and keep this site updated as often as possible.  

~ Crystal