We were very fortunate to celebrate Chad's recent milestone of 5 Year Cancer Free! It's been a long road but considering how things could have gone, I'm personally very grateful he's still doing well on the cancer side! <3
The associated health stuff - not so much. For those who have followed Chad's journey you know that ever since his initial surgery, it has literally been one thing after another.
Stomach - This stuff is still pretty bad. He bloats like crazy, has bad cramps all the time and can basically eat next to nothing. He's been battling with the VA to get more tests and such done to figure out what is actually going on but it seems he's either a medical mystery or the doctors just don't really care. It's unfortunate to have that sort of a feeling about it but he's been suffering for so long and we've yet to find a doctor who has taken an actual interest in getting to the bottom of his issues.
He does not vomit every meal anymore but it still happens and it's still absolutely awful. He had an appointment last week with a doctor here in Murray and they prescribed him medication to fight potential bacteria but that seems to be entirely ineffective.
Neck - This one sucks. :( A couple years ago Chad had really, really bad muscle spasms in his neck. They wanted to do surgery then but put it off and he got some shots instead and has been pretty okay ever since. He's recently started having more numbness and stiffness so they sent him back to the neurosurgeon.
On March 9th, Chad will be having ACDF surgery on his neck. Fusing his C4/C5 (I believe) disc together. It is unlikely that this will give him any relief from his symptoms but it should hopefully prevent further deterioration. I am beyond dreading this surgery but my concerns fell on deaf ears - so onward and upward. The success rate is high and the doctors are confident that this is a safe and worthwhile endeavor. Glad they're sure!
February 24th - He will be going to a Pre-surgery test in Paducah. Dr. Thomas Gruber, MD is the doctor who will be performing his surgery. I won't lie folks, this one has me down in the dumps for a whole slew of reasons. I'm just concerned so any prayers, love, comfort, light, electrons - whatever you believe in, I'll gladly receive when the surgery date gets closer.
This is the story of Chad's fight against Appendix Cancer. On January 7, 2015 Chad found out just how special he was when he was told that not only did he have Cancer but it was extremely rare and very aggressive. Chad has always taken life by storm - so why stop now? Some may have crumpled and fell but the soldier in him took over and he decided then and there he had an infinite number of reasons to kick Cancer's ass. The road will never be easy but he will fight - and he will win.
