Family In Need - Please Read
 

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I haven't had a lot of sleep so I apologize in advance if I leave anything out or fail to make sense! I'm happy to answer any questions I can.

I have a good friend with a 16 year old daughter, Bethany, in my son's class. Our other two daughters are also best friends. They have four children in all. For quite some time Bethany hadn't been feeling well. She had been diagnosed with Mono. Last Monday they couldn't wake her up so they rushed her to the ER. She was then life-flighted to Mercy hospital in Des Moines, IA and had emergency brain surgery that evening. She has a large tumor they couldn't remove. They simply removed pressure.

Her tumor is inoperable and is a very aggressive brain cancer called "Stage IV Glioblastoma". So in less than a week they've gone from a normal family with a sick daughter, to having told all four of their children that Bethany's days on this planet are numbered. I can't imagine the pain they're going through.

My wife and I went to the hospital to visit the family yesterday. Bethany is having issues with one side of her body and face but is still so sweet and positive. She knows what's going on but is spending her time enjoying everyone's company. She even named her tumor, LOL. Soon, she expects to go back to school for a little each day to be around her friends. My son and his class mates are taking care of her class ring for her.

Guys, there are good people and there are great people. This family is full of great people, even though they are damn Cowboys fans :mad: Mike follows the Chiefs though and has been to Arrowhead with me on more than one occasion.

If you're the praying type, please send them to a wonderful family in rural Iowa. The family does have health insurance but what's ahead is likely to break them financially. You can donate in two ways. American State Bank (641-784-3120) in Lamoni, IA is accepting donations. You can also send any donations to my personal PayPal email address which is christytad
@gmail.com
If you send as Personal no fees will be deducted on my end but that is completely up to you. I'd appreciate if you would include your forum name so I can eventually compile a list of all those who helped. Some of you can't help financially but can help with positive karma and prayers. That is appreciated as well!

The family are the Gruich's of Lamoni, IA. My friend, the dad, is Mike. The sick daughter is Bethany.

It has been a long week so if I left out important details, or my post was confusing in any way, please let me know ASAP.

Also, here is a CaringBridge link her Dad setup. Keep in mind that if you donate on the CaringBridge link you're not actually donating to the family, but rather to the website, which is also a worthy cause.

Thank you so very much,
Tad


This is Bethany after surgery
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...th_bethany.jpg

**** Cancer. Prayers sent.

All the best to you and yours.

Yeah...... this is terrible. Sorry, that's all I got.

Thank you guys.

Prayers and best wishes. This story breaks my heart as a dad of a 16yo daughter, but also I pray for hope for the family & rid the C from her have healing all the way around.

Damnit. Shit just isn't fair. :(

This is a very sad story, I pray to the Lord Jesus Christ that he wraps his loving arms around this little girl & family.

It's crap like this that puts the game of football,politics etc. in perspective,said goodbye to an Uncle last week because of cancer.Thoughts and prayers to her and the family.

This is one that can leave a person speachless.

I'll see what i can do, God bless her.

Sry, this may sound lame but this. I couldn't have said it any better.

Very touching story. I looked through the pictures and couldn't finish without crying.

I probably would've had the same reaction before (maybe?) but now being a father makes me definitely want to send a little prayer and a little something their way.

I ended up using the caring bridge link in the OP (it also takes pay pal, FYI)

Big hugs go out to the family.

Thank you! Question though, does the donation through CaringBridge go to the family, or to CaringBridge? Either is good, I'd say.

Best wishes sent that way.

Cancer sucks.

I sent a small one to your paypal about 2 hours ago IA

God Bless them

I dunno actually....I just assumed since the family set it up, and it has a donate link, that it went to them...

But maybe that's a bad assumption?

Heartbreaking story man....tears are still in my eyes

I'll find out where that money goes. It is a good cause either way though. Thank you guys!

Prayers sent I will have to see how I can help out with anything else.

I confirmed that the Caring Bridge link does go to the Caring Bridge site, not the family. They have a wonderful site and are certainly worthy of donation too!

May the Almighty Father Bless this family.

Thanks for posting this, Mr. IA_Chiefs_fan.

FAX

Prayers and best wishes....I'll get you something out

Those donations go to CaringBridge. They help pay for that site.

I have a childhood friend who recently lost their daughter in similar fashion. She was a little bit younger and the cancer ate her up for more than a year. But yeah, I got prayers for this family. They're going to need plenty.

That was very difficult to read. :(

I will definitely keep her and her family in my thoughts. My best to everyone involved in this girl's life.

I'll sticky this for a few days or so...

That's immediate family and for 24 hours. Otherwise we're going to have 30 sticky threads at the top all the time.

Meh, six in one hand... I got a PM asking. (Didn't even read through it closely Cuz I'm an insensitive prick)

I appreciate the support and well-wishes from everyone.

No sweat. That's just what we've done all along. These folks have a heartbreaking story but it's not a sticky thread.

Just for a day or so... I have been there and done that done that and had to I to pull the plug on my Mom.

**** Cancer...why can't this shit happen to child molesters or something.

****.

Prayers sent.

No worries guys. I'm not looking for special treatment. I feel fortunate to have such a forum to even be able to get the word out and seek support for the family.

As a father of two beautiful little girls my heart goes out to this family. A prayer was sent and may God bless this family during their trying time.

i lost my brother to a brain tumor, it's rough...

good on you ia_chiefs_fan for posting this and for being such a stalwart friend to the family...

they're going to need all the support they can get...

best wishes to all involved...

Thanks for the support guys! It means a lot to me and the family.