Ron Blaessig

These are likely the most difficult words I have ever had to share.  Over the past 2 weeks, our lives have been turned upside-down.  Ron had been suffering tightness in his chest, and had been working with his doctor to rule out cardiac issues, and had just started working with a gastroenterologist.  On June 11th he had a barium swallow test, which reveled a one inch mass in his lower esophagus.  An endoscopy and biopsy this past week confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma).  We met with a thoracic surgeon at Strong on Tuesday the 18th, and he was scheduled for surgery on Thursday the 20th to place a port and feeding tube for future use, and to do further exploration laparoscopically and through endoscopy and bronchoscopy.  It was a very long day for us all, and we received the news we prayed wouldn't come....... Ron's cancer may have spread.  The surgeon found a spot on his liver, and a PET scan in another week will give us more information on the scope of the disease.  

The coming weeks will be busy with more tests and many more appointments.  The tentative plan is that Ron will have chemotherapy and radiation for at least 3 months.  His entire esophagus will then be removed and replaced by his stomach, which will be stretched to take its place.  We don't know what the plan will be to address Ron's liver, but will know soon.  There are so many amazing advances in procedures and therapies, and we intend to pursue the best that medicine has to offer, even if we need to travel for him to receive it.  

Ron is a very healthy man who has none of the risk factors associated with this disease.  We are determined to beat it and continue living the wonderful life we've built together.  We need our loving friends and family more than ever.  Please join out team and join our fight!