Chris Pendergraft

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you!

On April 12, 2018 we received the news no one wants to hear:  cancer. Chris has a tumor in his left cheek near the jaw line called Squamous Cell Carcenoma. Although it has an extremely positive prognosis, the journey getting there will be a tough road for several months. It’s taken both of us some time to process the news and we are still reeling with emotions.

Surgery is scheduled for Friday, May 25. It is expected to last ten plus hours which includes removing the tumor, a significant portion of his jaw and teeth. They will then replace the bone with a portion of his fibula from his right leg. All of the extraction and reconstruction will occur during the one surgical procedure. He is expected to remain in ICU for several days with a total hospital stay of up to two weeks. During this time he will have a trachea and feeding tube. We are hopeful both trachea and feeding tube will be removed prior to coming home. 
The expected recovery time is four weeks, after which he will receive radiation five days a week for a period of six weeks. The surgery and hospital stay will be at VCU in Richmond however the radiation treatments will all be local and much closer to home. 

We are extremely grateful for the many friends and family who have reached out with positive stories, prayers, advice and support. We believe completely in the healing power of prayer and are asking specifically for a smooth procedure with no complications. Please  pray that this entire procedure is minimally invasive and heals quickly. Please pray for a swift recovery and minimal pain for Chris. Pray for his ability to relax and allow his body to heal.  We know and believe that God is able to heal this with no surgery and we believe that He will be glorified through this entire process and we will praise Him through every moment. Regardless of the outcome, God is good.


We will need help in the coming weeks while he is in the hospital and healing at home. At times we may ask for friends to check in on Chris or help with rides for Sarah getting to and from school. Later, once the  radiation treatments begin Chris will be able to drive himself to the first few appointments but will need rides during the latter as his pain may increase.


Most importantly, we ask you cover our entire family in prayer during this time 🙏. 
❤️Kathy