First post:
Oct 23, 2019 Latest post:
Nov 13, 2020
Welcome to Gretchen Kunshier’s Caring Bridge site. It was created to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.
Gretchen and Joe started dating in High School in November 1996. In September 2004 Gretchen was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal Squamous Cell Cancer. She was treated with chemotherapy and radiation for 7 weeks and then had an additional 3 rounds of chemotherapy. She was deemed cancer free in February 2005 and was married to Joe on June 11, 2005.
Gretchen and Joe have been Forest Lake residents and apart of the community since childhood. They are currently raising their 9-year-old daughter Maija in Forest Lake. Gretchen's career path took her into medical sonographraphy (ultrasound technician) and has been at Suburban Imaging in Coon Rapids since 2002. Joe has been teaching Physical Education at Forest Lake High School for the past 14 years and is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the Forest Lake High School Wrestling program.
On October 16, 2019 Gretchen received shocking news that she again has to battle cancer. She was diagnosed with Squamous Cell cancer which doctors believe was caused by the radiation treatment of her first cancer. The cancer is present in various areas of the nasopharynx which is unable to be surgically removed. She will be starting with 3 rounds of chemotherapy over the next 9 weeks, followed by Proton Beam radiation five days a week for seven weeks for a total of 35 sessions and coupled with 1 dose of chemotherapy each of the seven weeks.
Gretchen is a fighter and battled through a miracle during her first cancer. She is ready to fight through this journey as well.
Gretchen and Joe are overwhelmed with caring words and kindness from friends and family…. Please refer to this site for additional information and updates on their journey and leave your messages here for them to read in one place.
Keep the positive energies and prayers flowing towards them as they travel through this journey.
CaringBridge is a nonprofit social network dedicated to helping family and friends communicate with and support loved ones during a health journey. Learn more about CaringBridge.
