Chuck’s Story

Site created on August 11, 2018

In January of 2006, Chuck was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma (kidney cancer).  In March 2006 his right kidney was removed, and we were told the margins were clear and to go about our business.  We thought we had dodged a bullet.  Well, you probably know that things don’t often work that way in cancer-land.  Three years later, an ugly bump appeared on his upper lip, and that was a metastasis.  Surgery was performed to remove, and that was the start of a long journey that has included many recurrences in diverse locations, usually followed by radiation.  Chuck has fought this enemy like the Creek warrior he is, showing such strength, resilience and humor that more than one friend calls him Superman.  He has been on five different cancer meds with enough success to carry him through 9-1/2 more years, three kid weddings, and 3 grandkids that call him Yaha, after his Uncle Yaha Tustenugee Aingell, his Creek name, which means Wolf Warrior.  Uncle Yaha was killed in battle in Italy in WW II.

Chuck figures that between cancer surgeries, plus 2 gall bladder surgeries and a heart cath, he has had 19 surgeries.  In recent years his vision has been severely impaired by the heavy radiation he received on his head.

Via CT scan Monday and oncologist appointment Tuesday, we have learned that the cancer has grown.  While there is one more drug to try, we feel he is too weak to try it.  From Wednesday of this week his decline has been swift and alarming.  He is now in Truett ICU at Baylor following a blood pressure crash and disorientation yesterday, Friday Aug. 10.

We don’t know much more than that and we are putting him in God’s good care.  His vitals are strong, but he is still confused and disoriented and in pain from a metastasis in his lower back.  His sister Jolynn from Austin is here, and we are gathering the kids from near and far.

We have a bountiful support system comprised of dear friends from First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, childhood, high school and college, caring neighbors and our business lives.  We are indeed blessed,

We will update this site as we can.  We ask for prayers for strength and comfort for all of us.

Joan(ie)

If you would like to send any photos of Chuck that you might have, we would love to see them and add them to this site.  Please send all photos in jpeg to Becky Clontz at mailto:beckyclontz@gmail.com and she will load them to the site for sharing.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Joan Hudson

The most wonderful tribute from our dear friend Warren Johnson.

The Wolf Warrior was called by the Spirit in the Sky yesterday. We will celebrate his presence with us this coming week. Chuck Hudson was a man’s man. His European and Creek ancestry created a tall dark most handsome man. He was a gifted all state quarterback from Abilene with numerous offers for college football. He proved a even more gifted quarterback at life. He had the remarkable ability to communicate with all sorts of people regardless of their social status or fame. His religious faith governed his life. He had a quick wit and glorious laugh. He appreciated everyone young and old for their talents. An excellent story teller he was a marvel to listen to but was equally interested in hearing your story as well. How many times did I see Chuck say or do something and wish I had that skill. For years he taught sex education to the church kids. When he wasn’t doing that he was teaching senior citizens Sunday School classes. The day he got the diagnosis he had renal cancer we were at a mutual friend’s. I remember sitting on the back porch with him and trying my best to disbelieve what he was telling me over a decade ago. I refuse to remember the ailing Chuck now. I remember that tall dark handsome charming guy I knew years ago. See you soon pal. I know you be waiting with anew trivial pursuit game upon our arrival with a good story or two as well.

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