Some people have been reaching out asking how things are going.  I’m more than happy to talk to people individually but a friend recommended I use this platform to give anyone who is interested an update. 

I also wanted a way to say thank you to everyone here who has donated to this fund.  As I have already told my brothers and sisters at Berkeley FD “thank you” just doesn’t seem like enough.  This whole experience has been really frightening and unbelievably stressful, but the outpouring of love I have received is wild.  From the bottom of my heart thank you all.  Thank you for the phone calls and texts.  Thank you for the offers to come down and visit me or help my wife and daughter back home while I am away.  Of course, thank you for the donations and financial support.  Again, as I told my coworkersI certainly didn’t undertake this out of network treatment and 6 week trip to San Diego under the assumption I would be getting financial help from a fundraiser.  Every decision I have made has been assuming it will fall on me.  But the fact that so many of you have donated so generously to help offset the cost has been unexpected and overwhelming.  While the donations have been super helpful, more than anything it’s what the donations say.  It speaks to the way you feel about me, the love of family, the support of friends, and the generosity of strangers.  Many of the people who have given I don’t even know.  

As for a progress report.  I am 12 treatment sessions into a total of 28 .  I am taking an oral Chemo med and the proton radiation.  The meds and radiation treatments are 5 days a week M-F with a break on the weekends.  For the first couple of weeks, I was beginning to wonder if anything was happening.  But the past few days the side effects have started to kick in which are unpleasant but not unbearable.  I think they will get progressively worse as I get toward the finish line, so I am trying to exercise everyday while I am able.  Like a good little fireman, I am keeping a tight routine and trying to march through the days in a pretty similar pattern.  Katie is doing her best right now but with a 5 year old and full-time job, she’s very busy.  Fortunately, her mom and sister have come out to help with Remi.  Katie was able to come down and visit me this week which has been amazing.  Other than that, both of my sisters live in SD and my parents are in Palm Springs, so I have a good support network down here.

I think that is a good place to pause.  I may give more updates if people are interested.  But just know that I appreciate all of you and hope and pray to put this in the rear view with minimal permanent damage.

Thank you again,

-Ethan