Curtis Loydl is the kind of man who simply shows up. A father who chose his children, the minute he knew they existed.
He does it, not for attention. Not to be seen or heard. He just shows up quietly, consistently, every single day.
“He puts his family first above everything,” his wife Megan said.
“More than anything, he just wants us to be okay — to feel safe, loved, and steady.”
Curtis was recently diagnosed with brain cancer following surgery. He will begin six weeks of radiation in Edmonton at the end of the month, followed by approximately one year of chemotherapy.
The diagnosis has shifted everything for the young family.
A father who chose to be present
Curtis and Megan are raising two young children. Being home with them was always his priority.
When they first learned they were expecting, Curtis was working in pipeline surveying.
“One of the first things he said was, ‘I want a job where I’m home every night, so my kid knows me and I get to see them every day,’” Megan said.
“That’s who he is. Being present isn’t something he talks about — it’s something he lives.”
Right now, the family is taking life day by day.
“The moments that mean the most are the simple ones,” Megan said.
“Watching him play with the kids. Hearing them laugh together. Seeing the way he looks at them.”
She says the quiet moments matter most.
“It’s the quiet hugs when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed — the kind of hugs where nothing has to be said, but somehow everything feels a little lighter.”
Preparing for treatment in Edmonton
Curtis will stay in Edmonton during the week for radiation. Megan will remain home with the children and continue managing their family business.
With two young kids and daily routines to maintain, extended time away is not realistic.
“We’re trying to keep things as steady and normal as possible for the kids, so home can still feel safe and familiar,” Megan said.
On weekends, the family will either travel to Edmonton or bring Curtis home for short visits.
“It’s not the way we would choose to do this,” she said. “But we’re doing our best to stay connected, wherever we are.”
The children are processing the situation in their own ways.
Their kindergarten-aged daughter witnessed Curtis during his seizure.
“After he went to the hospital, she looked at me and said, ‘Mom… I thought Dad was dead,’” Megan said.
Since then, hospital visits bring fear.
Their toddler son does not fully understand what is happening, but he feels the shift in the home.
“They’ve both become more attached,” she said. “They just need a little more closeness and reassurance right now.”
Holding difficult realities
Megan says one of the most overwhelming moments came when doctors discussed prognosis.
“Being told that, on average, people with this type of brain cancer may only have 12 to 18 months is something that’s almost impossible to take in at first,” she said.
“It changes the way you hear every conversation, the way you look at the future, and the way you think about time.”
There are practical pressures as well.
Radiation requires weeks of travel. Chemotherapy brings unknown side effects. Time away from work affects income.
Curtis and Megan operate PropertyGuys.com locally. Curtis had been studying to become licensed himself before the diagnosis.
“That has had to pause,” Megan said. “Right now, we simply don’t know when or if he’ll be able to finish.”
They are bringing in extra help to keep the business steady while focusing on treatment and family.
“We’re not looking to walk away,” she said. “We believe deeply in giving people choice in real estate.”
But uncertainty remains.
“One of the biggest pressures people may not see is the need to stay strong,” Megan said.
“When you have children who depend on you every day, you still have to show up for them — even in the moments when you feel like you’re breaking inside.”
Community support carries them
A GoFundMe has been created to help ease travel costs, hotel stays, meals, childcare and lost work time during treatment.
Megan says the response from Lloydminster has carried them through the hardest days.
“Our community has shown us so much kindness,” she said.
“From people showing up with meals to messages and encouragement — every bit of it has reminded us that we’re not walking through this alone.”
If Curtis could speak directly to those supporting them, Megan says his message would be simple.
“It would simply be thank you,” she said.
“Every message, every kind gesture, every moment of support has meant more than we could ever fully express.”
As radiation approaches, the family is holding tight to ordinary moments.
Simple evenings. Laughter. Quiet hugs.
And one day at a time.
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