Chip’s Story

Site created on August 26, 2020

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

In Nov 2019 we learned prostate cancer reared its ugly head again for Chip. We'd been diagnosed in 2010 and through guidance of our Lord, ended up with a naturepathic doctor. Through prayers, anointing by our church elders, and natural means, the diagnosis was reversed after 18 months. Chip was never sick, never lost a day of work as a physical therapist, and was glad to share his testimony to anyone who would listen.

After many years of good health, the stresses of work, frustrations of life, and sense of duty to his family and community to provide and protect as man of the house and reserve sheriff deputy conspired to allow cancer to regrow. While knowing the natural means is extremely effective, he didn't have the stamina to endure it. So he started the first of an intended six rounds of chemo on December 20th, 2019. He came home after that and had a stroke.

After a week in the hospital, he chose to go home on hospice. Family, friends, church family, neighbors, hospital staff, and even strangers rallied around us and supported us through the days that followed. We prepared as best we could for the end to come, but the Lord had other plans. Weeks passed and he began to recover. He regained his appetite, started sitting, standing, and then walking. His left side, which had been affected by the stroke, was still weaker but regained some strength the more he walked. He got up to walking a total of four miles a day and became a regular around our block with our many neighbors. It was a miracle. Hospice  even had difficulty recertifying him for their care because he was doing so well.

There was even more good news. In early summer, he had his ureter stents replaced and the urologist was able to get a larger catheter in than before, and had no trouble at all with the surgery, which was a sign that something was different. After getting diagnostic tests to determine where he was at, we learned that the main tumor had shrunk by 7.5 cm and pulled away from his colon. Spots elsewhere were gone, but others had come up. We decided to switch to home health to continue chemo.

August 13th, 2020 he had chemo. For a few days, he was okay other than nausea (despite anti-nausea meds) and dehydration. He just couldn't get the fluids in to flush the chemo out (it needs to flush out within 48 hours) and ended up having two strokes and a seizure on his birthday, August 15th. Due to COVID-19 precautions, we couldn't even go with him to the hospital. He had a minor heart attack and was vomiting blood.

Since then, through the prayers of many, and whatever the Lord's plan is, he is still here, and his stats are balancing out. His brain was massively affected by both strokes and the doctors don't believe the scar tissue will heal to allow for his recovery of talking, communicating, and walking. We acknowledge the difficulty and the potential of non-recovery. But we believe that God can heal all things and wherever this journey takes us, we know that He is good.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Cheri Montgomery

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, SWEET PEA!

I thought I would write this morning, but somehow I could never get past the beginning. My chest tightened. A lump would swell in my throat and a flood of thoughts and emotions came so quickly all I could do was switch gears. Today is 12 years for Chip and I. I promised him we would always be married and I would continue to count the years together. I know that the number will only matter here on earth, for eternity is uncountable. I am so grateful for eternity. I look forward to being able to spend time together WITH our Lord. I have so many questions I cannot get answers to and just must wait. In the meantime, I continue to put into perspective this phase of life.

I was sent a beautiful book called "A Widow's Journey: Reflections on Walking Alone", by Gayle Roper. It is a bittersweet read. I resonate and push away at the same time. It is hard to explain this reality of being without Chip physically and yet feeling his presence here. I cannot consider myself "alone". I so miss holding his hand in mine and being held by his. I miss that sense of security just knowing he is here. Even though he was unable to get out of bed unassisted, we all still felt so protected by him. He made everything right in the world. I am just barely into the book, but it addresses this in-between state. While I have peace, I am not altogether happy with this state.

I hate not being able to just talk with him, whatever the topic. Even to disagree would be nice to hear his voice. I have been going through and saving photos and videos on my phone and have caught my breath hearing him. So thankful that I am able to hear him. Able to reminisce about the events captured. He completed me so perfectly it is hard to understand what I am to do now. One thought that has comforted me was the realization the when God arranged our meeting, He foreknew what Chip was going to go through, and chose me as the one to care for him. I am so blessed to have been able to complement Chip. To be his helpmeet, to understand him and anticipate what he needed to buffer him from the challenges of this world. I praise the Lord he does not suffer here. He no longer toils here. He is truly complete and whole and waits for us to come home.

Cat and I went to Jason's Deli today for lunch. We took Chip with us. It's the place we celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries. Once, we went to Bonefish Grill for our anniversary only they didn't actually have the wild caught salmon he had called ahead about. I found Chilean Sea Bass on the menu and a quick search gave me confidence it was okay for us to eat since it was a deep sea fish (definitely wild caught). I ordered, but he wouldn't veer from what he could eat and was content to watch me eat and enjoy. We then went across the street to Jason's Deli and he got his Wild Caught Salmon sandwich and I was content to happily watch him eat!

Oh to gaze into his deep blue eyes, with that twinkle of mischief and quirky grin, wondering what he was up  to. He could be so convincing and pull your leg without knowing what hit you, but be so hilarious you couldn't help but laugh! So full of life and adventure...how do I adventure now. I am not sure I will ever really know. 

12 years ago today, I said "I do" and began a forever journey with my Chip, my best friend, my love and joy and my hearts desire. I continue to love you and am grateful for all you do for me still. Thank you Jesus for my husband, Chip Montgomery.

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