April 2016, we learned that Chuck's bladder cancer had returned for the third time. The first two times, he was treated in Huntsville with BCG treatment. However, this time it had attached itself to the muscle wall and required specialized treatment that was out of scope for the doctors in Huntsville. He was referred to Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN, who have since arranged a team to guide him through this battle. Currently, the plan is to do 3-4 rounds of chemo/radiation combo (each round takes about a month), then have the tumor and the parts of the bladder it is attached to removed. This bladder sparing surgery is the uncommon approach to a cure, but since he is in great health otherwise, this is luckily an option. He must stay healthy and strong in the treatment leading up to the surgery in order to keep partial bladder. The only other option is to remove the entire bladder, which is also an intensive, risky surgery.
On August 1, 2016, he relocated to Nashville for treatments. Chemo is once every 21 days and radiation is every weekday. We know it is not a coincidence that I, daughter Molly, had relocated here myself just two years ago. My office is a mile from his room at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, so I see him almost daily. I will do my best to share progress, prayer requests, and praises along the way. We have already experienced many blessings through the pain and are grateful for those times. No suffering is in vain, and I will share those instances of reminders with you as they happen. Thank you for joining us in this journey. It's not an easy one to be on, but with friends and family cheering him on, it makes it a little easier.
"I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from The Lord, maker of Heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2
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