01/13/2026
2025 was a year. It was hard to know what to feel from one day to the next.
The year started with unbearable back pain. We didn’t find out the cause until early March when I was diagnosed with High-Risk Multiple Myeloma. They found several compression fractures in my spine which required surgery. The recovery included learning how to walk again, transitioning from a walker to a cane as the year progressed. This initial hospital stay was 31 days of recovery from blood clots, chemotherapy, radiation and physical/occupational therapy. In October, I was in the hospital for another 17 days undergoing a Stem Cell Transplant.
Last week, I got the results following my Stem Cell Transplant and it was so encouraging! The PET Scan was clean, and my Bone Marrow Biopsy revealed that my numbers were nearly undetectable. I’ve even been able to ditch the cane on many days as physical therapy has been helping me regain my strength. I’m feeling better and stronger than I have in over a year!
We are praying for it to be several years before we have to deal with active Myeloma again, but I will stay on a maintenance regime for the foreseeable future. I tolerate it pretty well so it’s a small price to pay to get some normalcy back in our lives!
With all the health challenges, I have also experienced so many blessings this year (the photos provide a great summary). God has been so faithful to us through this journey! I will forever be grateful for the time I was able to spend with family and friends this past year. Having Katie, our girls, my mom, brother, and sisters by my side every step of this journey has been so incredible.
All your prayers have been felt and appreciated!
2026 is off to a great start and we are so excited to continue to serve business owners in the Siouxland, Council Bluffs, and Omaha areas!!
