Update October 25, 2023: Just got a call from the urologist not good the cancer is still there and results were abnormal. He will start chemo within two weeks urologist wants the bladder to heal first before starting chemo.he will try to get the chemo done here if not we are going to do a lot of traveling. Prayers and donations are still very helpful.love everyone who has support us in this difficult time.
Thank you
Michelle niebuhr
Update August 13, 2023:
Lance went back in for surgery on October 6th and we won’t know what results are til urologist calls us.then he starts chemo weekly.
Thanks,
Michelle niebuhr
Update August 09, 2023: Just got the call from the urologist it was a aggressive stage of cancer so we are going to be heading back down there. Waiting for the urologist scheduler to set date and time for us to be there. He said that it might be weekly treatment. I will let you know when we will be there.
Update July 26, 2023: Well today has been crazy he has been feeling yucky stomach pains feels sick to stomach still I have been giving him fluids and having him suck on ice but he is still weak I’m thinking it the chemo that’s causing it. Take to nurse today in Sacramento hospital she said it might be the chemo just to keep in eye on him and if it gets worse take him to urgent care at VA.
Update July 22, 2023:
Update after the surgery.Update this morning he is a little sore due to a catheter he wants it out but it has to be in til mon but could be longer depending on the bleeding.we will know the stage of cancer on the 9th from the urologist follow up. Ever three months he has to do the scope to make sure its not growing back.thats ever three month for a year. The put liquid chemo in him that suppose to help it from not coming back but not granted. But so far are spirits are thinking positive prayer help both of us I don’t want to lose my best friend.thanks to everyone support he will be out for awhile from work prayers and donation do help the ones in need. Love all
Update July 20, 2023: July 22st on Fri heading to Mathers Hospital in Sacramento will keep everyone posted after we find out more. Thank you for your support it means a lot to all of us.
Update July 15, 2023: The surgery had been moved to July 21st
Lance Niebuhr, a disabled vet, a trucker, a loving husband, father and grandfather of 2, just found out that he has bladder cancer.
For the last 3 years it has gone undetected by his doctors at the VA. Back in mid to late 2020 he was having pains and was urinating blood here and there. His doctors couldn’t figure out why until March of this year when they found the tumor.
For the last 27 years, Lance has driven big rigs; working long haul, local, and even working in the oil fields in the mid-west. He has always been raring and ready to go and get in his truck to get people what they need. Through the whole pandemic, he was on his truck for weeks on end when a lot of truckers quit, risking his health further to help support his wife, son and daughter-in-law, and, at the time, premature granddaughter. He supported his children when they could not work after their jobs shut down for months at the beginning of COVID. He supported and continues to support his wife with her ongoing medical issues without a question.
In 2019, he got his own truck and tried his very hardest to become an owner-operator, but when the pandemic hit and gas prices rose and loads were far and few between and his health got worse, he had to give up his dream of owning his own truck after just a year, forcing him to become a company driver once more; which he is still happy to do.
It is not like us to ask for handouts, to ask for help in any way; we are used to doing everything on our own and we are very proud of everything we’ve been able to accomplish. But we cannot do this on our own anymore. Lance has not been working very much these last few months due to his health; bouncing in the truck is making sitting for long periods of times almost unbearable.
He will not say anything, but he is afraid of losing everything we’ve worked so hard for. He is afraid of losing our home once he’s out of work for surgery and treatments. He’s afraid us and our children and two young grandchildren will have to go our separate ways and we won’t be able to see them as often. He is having a hard time coming to terms with all that is happening.
Please help us stay above the water through this hard time with whatever you are able to give.
He told me, his wife of 26 years, not to bother making one of these pages for him because he doesn’t feel there is any hope, that people will not care. But I believe there is hope. I believe that there are good people out there who will care. So please help our family survive this.
He will be going into surgery July 31st at Mathers Hospital in Sacramento, CA.
Thank you for reading our story.