The Last Couple of Weeks

Hi friends,

It's been a while. I pray you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had every intention of getting on here before Thanksgiving but it just never happened.

We got the results from Beth's biopsies, and they were exactly what we were expecting: Scarring Alopecia, or Lichen Planopilaris. The doctor wants to start cortisone injections and will monitor it closely for side effects. If the alopecia is still spreading after the second injection, they'll stop them and reevaluate the treatment plan.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving we began preparing for the biggest event of the year at our church. (It actually began months ago with leaders meetings, building walk-throughs, creating room set up diagrams...) We feed the community a full meal - family style - and after the first group heads home, we reset the tables and do it all again. Then again. At the end of the day we served over 1000 guests, and 500 volunteers.

The dining room ready for guests

Busser/Server stations in all four corners 

Chuck was a table host for two of the seatings, serving the food and initiating conversation.

This was on our church's website

Out in the main foyer we offer family photos, a reception area with snacks, puzzles and games while the guests wait to go to the dining room, we have a clothing bank, and everything is free. 

Being in the custodial department, we spent a few days setting up all the tables and chairs in every area, and we're one of the first groups to arrive Thanksgiving day and the last to leave: unlocking the building, providing coffee for the guests and the volunteers, cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash, wiping up spills, then all the clean up afterward. Monday - Thursday I put in 24 miles. 

On Friday Sharaya and Ally came over and we had our family Thanksgiving. All the usual food, plus ice box pie for dessert. After dinner we played Mexican Train, and video chatted with Diana, Peter, and the kids. It did my heart good to be with family.

The rest of the weekend I spent in my recliner. 😊

Like the rest of you, we're now preparing for Christmas. We'll be in Pennsylvania this year and are planning a day in New York, plus Christmas traditions with Diana's family. 

This morning I removed the garden hoses and covered the outside faucets; I did a load of laundry; I have a stye under my left eyelid that's been bugging me; Allison turns 16 tomorrow; and Beth wants me to take her shopping today. 

Sorry, this doesn't feel like a fun post. Maybe it just seems that way in my head. I think I'm still worn out from the Thanksgiving Outreach so I may go sit in my recliner for a little while. 

I pray you all had an amazing Thanksgiving.

Update on Chuck

About the time I think this is all behind us, I follow a rabbit trail on line (I've got to stop doing that!) or something comes up that reminds me we're still in the fight of our lives.

They did a biopsy a couple months ago on one of the spots on his scalp and it came back negative for cancer. That spot is just that, a spot of leftover pigment that will disappear in time. Not sure about the others.

The biopsy on his lymph node however was positive. Which is what we've always suspected but I was hoping that it was nothing. Just a swollen gland or whatever. But nope. It's cancerous.

The second treatment they were going to do wasn't approved by our insurance. They'd pay for it, just not in conjunction with the first treatment. So the doctors are discussing our options.

I didn't realize how long a battle this would be. I thought after the initial surgery, they would have gotten it all and we'd be done. Boy was I wrong!

In the meantime he continues to work and feels pretty good. He's dealing with severe psoriasis right now, a side effect from the infusions. We met with the dermatologist yesterday and he said given the cancer still in the lymph node and now the psoriasis, Chuck's team of doctors are talking about changing his immunotherapy treatment to try and knock out the cancer. At this point we don't know what that will be.

His next scan and infusion is scheduled for the 19th.

We're coming up on the one-year mark of his diagnosis and it seems it's been one thing after another: two different cancers, two surgeries, several biopsies, so many doctors appointments, various treatments... and we still have a long way to go. It's starting to take it's toll. 

I want to thank you for your prayers. Even though we've never met, your friendship and the caring words you've written over the last 10 months mean so much to me. Thank you... 

 1981 - After we got engaged