Brad’s Story

Site created on March 28, 2024

Recently, Brad started doctoring for unbearable back/front rib pain and has not been able to work.  It started with an ER visit on Sunday, March 3, 2024, followed by an appointment with our primary care doctor on Friday, March 8.  An MRI was taken on Tuesday, March 12 and within an hour we received a phone call from our doctor to inform us that the radiologist called her right away with awful news.  Dr. Shaneen explained to us that Brad has a t9 (vertebrae) pathological compression fracture that was more than likely caused by... cancer.  That word was so tough to hear, never in a million years did we anticipate that possible diagnosis for Brad's pain.  Additional labs and a CT Scan were done that same week.  A surgical request was submitted to "glue/cement" Brad's t9 vertebrae back together (which we later found out he was not a candidate for, due to there not being enough normal bone left for the procedure to be successful).  An appointment with Dr. Jurgens (an oncology doctor) at CentraCare in St. Cloud was scheduled for Monday March 18.  

Needless to say Brad's pain got worse and worse, even with increased pain meds throughout the week.  On Sunday, March 17 we needed to make a desperate 911 call for help, as Brad was not able to get out of the chair and was in immense pain.  We are so thankful for our amazing NYM First Responders who helped the ambulance crew load Brad onto a gurney and into the ambulance, as he was then transported to Astera Health.  Brad was admitted to the hospital for "intractable back pain from multiple myeloma due to a pathological compression fracture." Brad continued to suffer from frequent, uncontrollable pain attacks in his back and front rib area until late Friday night.  He spent nearly his entire hospital stay in bed, receiving multiple different pain medication regimens.  Words cannot describe the intense pain Brad went through. The attacks would come on suddenly and with vengeance... multiple times a day.  Finally, during a fierce pain attack late Friday night/ early Saturday morning, an additional pain med was added and that was our ticket to thinking about the possibility of relief for Brad (and being comfortable to go home sooner, than later).  Brad is still in pain and taking life very easy these days, but has not had any attacks since that medication was added that Friday night/Saturday morning. 

Since Brad was in the hospital, we were not able to travel to St. Cloud to meet with Dr. Jurgens.  Miraculously, one of Dr. Jurgens' select days to be in Wadena happened to be Tuesday, March 19 while Brad was in the hospital.  Dr. Jurgens made time in his schedule to consult with us in Brad's hospital room.  Dr. Jurgens confirmed Brad's diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma.  He said that in order to move forward with any treatment, a biopsy would be required.  The next day, Wednesday March 20, Astera ambulance crew transported Brad to CentraCare in St. Cloud for a bone marrow biopsy and transported him back to Astera in Wadena.  This was the best case scenario. After an entire week in the hospital, Brad was finally discharged from the hospital on Sunday, March 24 with a very specific pain regimen.  

From the beginning, we shared with others (including our own girls) that Brad was suffering from awful back pain and that is the story we stuck to.  We did share the news with our parents right away, as we needed them to be aware.  On Tuesday, March 19 we asked our siblings and spouses to come to Brad's hospital room for us to share the news with them.  And then the toughest part was telling our daughters the next morning, Wednesday March 20.  We were blessed to have Dr. Shaneen help break this devastating news to them, but with lots of prayers and faith that Brad will fight this fight.  Lots of tears have been shed, emotions have run wild, anger has shown through, but we have also tried to find blessings in the timing of events / support & love we have received / and thankfulness for what we do have.

On Tuesday March 26, we traveled to St. Cloud to learn of Brad's treatment plan from Dr. Jurgens.  We do not know the stage or type, yet. And for now, there is no way to repair the fractured vertebrae (which means continued pain medications), but the hope is that it will repair on its own with the treatment plan Dr. Jurgens has set for Brad.  

On Wednesday, March 27, we traveled to St. Cloud again for lots of chemo education (general, pharmacy, social work, and so much more) from many amazing staff members at the Coborn Cancer Center.  WOW, there is so much to learn, organize, prepare for, and be ready for.  

And on Thursday, March 28, we came back to St. Cloud for the third day in a row for Brad's first chemo session (an IV med and 2 different shots) and a bone strengthening shot.  This first treatment is longer, as they need to monitor for any reactions - so 9 hours in the patient room. He will have additional chemo sessions in St. Cloud twice next week and then the rest of the sessions after that will be able to be done in Wadena.  He will also take a chemotherapy oral med at home.  The chemo shots are scheduled 5 times throughout a 21-day cycle. Brad's treatment plan is a total of 11 cycles, thus 33 weeks of treatment - which brings us to deer hunting season 2024.

Next week, we will travel to Alexandria for a radiation consult.  The plan is for all radiation treatments to take place in Alex. 

Eventually, there may also be a bone marrow transplant, which will consist of using Brad's own bone marrow.

We realize that the treatment plan can and WILL change as we go along, but this is the plan for right now.  

All of the doctors, nurses, and countless other support staff at Astera Health (Wadena), CentraCare (St. Cloud), multiple pharmacies, and so many more individuals have been absolutely amazing and have taken genuine care of Brad.  There have been so many conversations and planning that have taken place for Brad, that we aren't even aware of, so that the burden is less for us and everything has been able to move forward very, very quickly.  We are also so grateful for our family, friends, pastor, community, employers, colleagues, and people we’ve never met- for so many prayers, love, and support! We know that God will only give us what we can handle today… and we are one day closer to being through this cancer fight. We are truly blessed!  

This is just an overview of the beginning of Brad's Multiple Myeloma journey.  If you want to know more details please feel free to read through the journal entries, as we will post updates along this journey.

Newest Update

Finding Joy ...

Journal entry by Bridget Weller —

Today Brad completed radiation treatment #7 (of 10) in Alexandria and we met with Dr. Hodges, his Radiation Oncologist. Dr. Hodges reviewed with us that Brad has been receiving the maximum dosage of radiation treatment possible and all appears to be going well.  We have met with her a number of times in the past 2 weeks and she continues to do an amazing job explaining the purpose of radiation.  It honestly takes hearing the same thing a few times, for it to all sink in and make any sort of sense. She reminded us that chemo is the #1 attacker for Brad’s Multiple Myeloma and the purpose of the radiation is to strictly target the pain area to accelerate the healing of vertebrae T9 / help the chemo do its very important job.  There are risks to radiation, so it is best to not do more radiation than necessary.  The side effects of radiation can continue for a few weeks after the final radiation treatment, which includes fatigue and inflammation.  It will also take a few weeks for the radiation treatments to provide the intended pain relief, as it is not an immediate fix. The physical therapists have been amazing with Brad for each of his treatments, lots of expertise and care.  We will follow up with Dr. Hodges in 6 weeks (end of May) after Brad’s last radiation treatment (which will be #10 of 10 this Friday) to review Brad’s pain level, vertebrae T9 and any future problematic areas of concern.

After leaving Alex, we enjoyed the rainy day as we drove to Wadena for Brad to complete lab work and meet with Dr. Jurgens, his Oncology Doctor, who travels to Wadena a few times each month.  Dr. Jurgens has also been amazing with explaining everything to us (multiple times), answering our many questions with grace, and providing a positive (and realistic) outlook for the future.  Brad's first cycle of treatments consisted of multiple forms of chemotherapy: Darzalex (sub-q shots), Velcade (sub-q shots), Revlimid (oral chemo pill), and Dexamethasone (steroid pill). He is finishing this first cycle (21 days), with no apparent side effects. He will start Cycle 2 this Friday, which will be a repeat of Cycle 1. We were intrigued to find out that Brad’s continued labs (bloodwork) provide Dr. Jurgens with all of the information he needs… so no upcoming imaging (MRI, CT Scan, PET Scan, etc.), at this point. The results of the bone marrow biopsy confirmed IgG Lambda Multiple Myeloma, standard risk.  Hopefully by June we will be scheduling an appointment at the U of M or Mayo for a Bone Marrow Biopsy consultation.  Dr. Jurgens reminded us that there is no cure for Multiple Myeloma… but the goal is to control the Multiple Myeloma so that Brad can continue to enjoy life, get to remission and stay there as long as possible.  The treatment/ maintenance plan will continually be moving, based on how Brad’s body is reacting to the Multiple Myeloma and treatment.  

We feel so blessed with Brad’s entire medical team and facilities!  We are also so excited for Astera Health’s cancer facility to be built in the near future and provide top-notch oncology services to rural MN… it will be a blessing to have the doctors, chemo treatments, radiation treatments, and more all in one location!  

We have purchased a lift chair for Brad…which he hasn’t needed to use the “lift” part of it yet, but the electronic controls sure have been wonderful and the chair is amazingly comfortable!  Last night, Brad slept in our bed for the first time in over a month, which was a huge celebration!  Yesterday I returned to work, with mixed feelings, along with lots and lots of big emotions… but we know that we have an amazing support team of family, friends, colleagues, employers, and more to bring Brad to treatments and also support our entire family along this journey… and summer is just around the corner! I will continue to take days off of work for Brad’s dr appointments and any needs that arise.  

In addition to doctor appointments, lab work, chemo, radiation, lots of paperwork, and more, we have also had lots of celebrations for our girls!  We are so blessed for their understanding of our crazy schedule, adjustments at home, their extra help around the house (and with their youngest sister), and for providing us with many reasons to find joy in the moments of life!  In the past month… Audrey turned 16, Maggy and Audrey were crowned Little Miss Dairy Princess / Dairy Princess Ambassador... and they traveled to St. Louis Missouri with the NYM Marching Band, Kylie embarked on JO Volleyball (in addition to gymnastics 3 nights a week), and Gracie celebrated her 7th birthday with a family party hosted by Brad’s parents (since we were in the hospital). 

In addition, Brad’s mom celebrated her 65th birthday.  Bridget’s dad celebrated his 68th birthday.  And Bridget’s grandparents celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary!

Thank you for all of the prayers.... as well as support, meals, cards, and more... as we travel this journey with faith, humbleness, and grace (as best as we can)!

 

Finding joy...


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***new photos posted to "GALLERY"***
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