Chuck Neuman Chuck

Welcome to the #TeamChuck CaringBridge website.  Earlier this year, Chuck started having problems with one of his shoulders (ski injury from 15 years ago).  He made an appointment with an Orthopedic doctor who told him "men your age develop arthritis".  So he prescribed meds and sent him on his way.  Things didn't get better but Chuck put off  going back to a doctor and decided it was old age and arthritis.   Sometime in the summer Chuck was doing yard work and was moving some rocks around and he hurt his back.  Thinking nothing of it, he took tylenol and just went about his day.  In early October his right shoulder was still bothering him and started getting a burning sensation, his left shoulder started to fall asleep and his back was still hurting.  So I talked him into going to a different orthopedic doctor.  He went to see Dr. Lopez at Sports Medicine Associates of SA.  Chuck went to this appointment hopeful.  However, Dr. Lopez took an x-ray of his shoulder and he too gave him the speech "it's your age and it's arthritis".  He gave him meds, told him to stretch and maybe do physical therapy and follow up in 6 weeks.  So Chuck did everything the doctor told him to do.  Yet nothing was getting better.  If anything things were getting worse.  To add to all this, one evening Chuck was helping me in the kitchen drying a cookie sheet when it slipped out of his hands. When he went to catch it, something in his chest popped.  He dropped to his knees in excruciating pain. For the record, he didn't drop it...he wants everyone to know that because of his cat like reflexes, he kept it from hitting he floor!  That's when we called Dr. Lopez and moved up our follow up appointment.  When Dr. Lopez walked in, we could tell he was already set to say the same thing and send us on our way with meds.  Thankfully, we both insisted it was something else.  So this time he took an x-ray of Chucks neck and shoulders.  The x-rays showed a fracture on his T-1 and his C-6.  Which he determined was causing the burning  and tingling in his shoulders and arms.  That's when things changed.  The doctor asked Chuck if he had been in a recent auto accident or had any traumatic injury.  Since he had not been in anything traumatic to cause fractures, Dr. Lopez ordered an immediate MRI and in the meantime asked Chuck to go get blood work with his primary doctor!  But Chuck didn't have a primary doctor!  We received the MRI results and it confirmed the fractures in Chuck's neck, back and his sternum!!! Dr. Lopez referred to this as Pathologic fractures (caused by disease).  On Tuesday, November 6 Dr. Lopez took blood work and on Friday, November 9th he called Chuck to tell him he had Multiple Myloema,  a blood cancer.  He referred us to Texas Oncology and Dr. Shumway.  Dr. Shumway could not see us until December 7th.  In shock and wanting more answers, we were also referred to Dr. Jaysaree Rao.  She was able to see Chuck November 21, the day before Thanksgiving.  She confirmed his diagnosis and ran more tests.  Including a bone marrow biopsy.  We walked out of that office overwhelmed and still in shock.  They scheduled a second appointment Monday, November 26, so that Chuck could start treatment.  But something wasn't right, we felt rushed to make a decision.  We weren't sure if this was the doctor for Chuck.  But GOD! the morning of our second appointment with Dr. Rao.  I received a text with a number but no name (phone was messed up) they had heard about Chuck and wanted to offer prayers and any help with regards to information about cancer treatment and doctors. It was my friend Carri.  Long story short, her and her husband David were able to make a call and get us in to see Dr. Shumway on Tuesday, November 27th two weeks earlier than our appointment.  Thank you Carri and David!!! We met with Dr. Shumway and we felt the connection right away.  Myloema is a treatable cancer! It's still scary and it's going to be a hard road but we are positive and convinced that Chuck will get through this and BEAT Cancer! Treatment will start on December 18th for 4 months and then a stem cell transplant. We will keep everyone updated as best we can but please reach out if you have any questions.   We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. #TeamChuck #Cancersucks #WithGodwewillwin