Some times life just doesn't go as planned. And we are faced with things that are too big to handle alone.

This is a post I never imagined I would write.

In March, we discovered Bob has a very rare genetic condition that causes thousands of polyps to form in the stomach and large intestine. These polyps carry 100% risk of colon cancer.

Praise God, Bob is doing well with no symptoms, he feels great and is very hopeful. Once we got over the initial shock, fear, and grief, we started the process of confirming the diagnosis so we could identify a treatment plan. Treatments usually begin with colectomy to remove the large intestine, and chemoprevention, frequent colonoscopies and significant diet and lifestyle changes to slow the growth of the polyps in the stomach and keep the small intestine happy and healthy.

Because it is incredibly rare (0.01%), there aren't many specialists who treat this condition, only 3 sites in the US. We were hoping to get into Hopkins because it's closer to our home, but we recently got word the specialist there is retiring. So, we are traveling to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for treatment and follow-up.

After 5 months of waiting, we've received confirmation of our first appointment at Mayo Clinic September 1st! They recommend staying a week to compete follow up appointments and necessary procedures to confirm a diagnosis and treatment plan. We are meeting with the Familial Adenomatous Polyposis team.

Because it is a genetic condition, the chances are very likely that our children may be affected. So, as we determine a treatment plan for Bob, we will proceed with getting the children tested and doing what we need to do to start their treatment.

These past five months have been a whirlwind, but we remain incredibly hopeful since Bob is so young and healthy that we can get ahead of this and ensure his prognosis remains excellent. Most people with this condition present with Stage 4 colon cancer, so we are fortunate to have found this at the precancer stage. We are confident that God has a good plan for all of this, and we are trusting in His guidance and provision every day. We are also confident that He will place people in our path that are able and willing to help.

By God's grace, we are doing well; but we are worried about being able to pay for these upcoming medical and travel costs. Insurance will only cover a fraction of his treatments because many are experimental. And, of course, insurance does nothing to help with travel, and given this is a chronic condition, we will be traveling for treatments for the remainder of his life.

With the encouragement of great friends and colleagues who support us and know how challenging this condition can be, we have set up a donation page for those who feel compelled to help financially. Bob and I are incredibly grateful for the people we have in our life who are already helping in various ways, and we thank each one of you for the kind words, prayers, and encouragement we've received thus far. We always pay it forward, so please know that whatever you give will multiply.

We also sincerely believe in the power of prayer, so if that is all you can do, please do it! Prayer has been our first line of defense and our go-to when our anxiety gets the best of us. Please pray for our fears to be alleviated, complete healing and full recovery, and many years of victorious living in the name of Jesus! We are confident God hears these prayers and that He will be glorified in all of this.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. With love and grace, The Barr Family.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NIV