A request for good vibes, thoughts, prayers for a friend who probably won't pull through...

[joeybee12]

Around Christmas, 2009 Chuck was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphona. This required chemotherapy for quite some time, but when I visited in June, he only had one more round and was happy that tests showed the chemo had worked, no sign of the cancer. He and his partner Robert decided to go ahead with their trip to Germany, the Gay Games, and other places in Europe in late July. During the trip, Chuck started getting very weak, and when they got to London, he was rushed to the hospital. The problem is he has Bleomycin Lung, from the drug Bleomycin he was on for the cancer, and developed serious, life-threatening fibrosis. He is on a ventilator and has developed an infection, and if they can't figure out how to get him off the ventilator, he will keep getting infections that will do him in. They started massive doses of steroids yesterday, and that will continue for a few days, and then a wait and see period if it works. Unfortunately, the doctor said this treatment of steroids is usually not very effective for the fibrosis, but there aren't really other options. Some of his family also flew over to be with him and Robert, which is good, but Chuck, being the youngest, has parents who are in their 90's and this is really, really hard on them, as can be expected.

Thanks in advance.

[LisaM]

1. Oh geeze

I'm sorry to hear it. I hope he pulls through.

[joeybee12]

5. Thanks Lisa...i appreciate that..

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear joeybee12...

Oh, boy, this is a tough place to be, for all of you...

I hope that the treatment will work.

My best vibes to him, and all of you...

:hug:

[joeybee12]

6. Thanks Peggy...yeah, being so far away

there's not much i can do.

[lightningandsnow]

3. Sending lots of vibes his way...

...and yours. :hug:

[joeybee12]

7. Wonderfull...thank you.

[abq e streeter]

4. Will say a prayer for him momentarily.

best wishes to your friend...

[joeybee12]

8. Thanks...that's very much appreciated.

[Bossy Monkey]

9. Certainly. Best wishes and best of luck to him, Robert, and all concerned. nt

[joeybee12]

11. Thanks bossy, I appreciate that.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. joeybee, I will keep your friend, his partner, and his parents in my

thoughts, not to forget, remembering you. I am so sorry you are all going through this. It's never easy and sometimes it's just excruciating. Take care.

[joeybee12]

14. Thanks...

very much appreciated.

[PRETZEL]

12. Hopefully the steroids will work,

and Chuck can get off the ventilator soon.

[joeybee12]

16. It will take a couple more days of that therapry..

...then a wait and see approach...hopefully they do the job.

[PRETZEL]

17. I'm pretty sure you're friends will be hoping right along with you. nt

[foxfeet]

13. Sending good vibes for the best possible outcome to Chuck and those who love him!

:grouphug:

[joeybee12]

18. Thank you!

[guitar man]

15. Blessings

Great Spirit be with him and all his family and friends :hug:

[joeybee12]

20. Thank you...there's not much hope, but there is some...

next few days will be critical.

[LisaM]

30. While there isn't a bright side to all this

at least, being in Europe, he won't be saddled with the kind of bills he would have had it happened here.

[Crystal Clarity]

19. Prayers for your friend

and all who know and love him. So sad. I'm sorry.

[joeybee12]

21. Thank you, Crystal.

[grace0418]

22. Oh how sad. Beating cancer only to have something from the treatment itself

become such a terrible issue.

I'm so sorry for your friend and his family. I hope something extraordinary happens but in any case I am sending major vibes.

[joeybee12]

26. Yeah, after all that chemo and thinking the worst was behind...

...here's hoping the steroids work.

[LaurenG]

23. Wow, I'm really sorry to hear this

good vibes to your friend and some for you as well.

[joeybee12]

27. Thanks Lauren

:hi:

[Parche]

24. big hugs....

:hi::hug::hug::hug:

[joeybee12]

25. Thanks Parche!

:hi:

[LeftishBrit]

28. I am so sorry. Very best thoughts!

[joeybee12]

29. Thank you...very much appreciated.

[driver8]

31. Sending good vibes to Chuck and to you...

I am sorry to hear about your friend.

[applegrove]

32. vibes.

[handmade34]

33. ((good vibes))

for Chunk and loved ones. So sorry

[Odin2005]

34. (((GOOD VIBES)))

:hug:

[Pushed To The Left]

35. Sending them right now. I lost a very close childhood friend last year to cancer

:hug:

[kimi]

36. Ah, best wishes to Chuck, to Robert, and to Chuck's family

This must be so difficult for all of them. Hopefully the treatment will work, and they got their trip in, so that's a good memory.

Vibes and hugs. You're a good friend. Take care.

[joeybee12]

37. Thanks Everyone. Spoke with Robert this morning, and unfortunately the news isn't good

Doesn't appear as if Chuck is responding to the steroids therapy...he still eventually might, but the doctors are not optimistic. He is not conscious and not breathing on his own. Robert has spoken with the consulate about what is needed to bring cremated remains back into this country...they are making arrangements at a funeral home today. This is partly precautionary as they don't want to have to do all this later, but are very much aware that some painful decisions will probably have to be made in the next few days.

Please keep up the good thoughts...if nothing else, I hope this makes his final journey peaceful.

[auntAgonist]

38. joeybee my heart goes out to all who love Chuck. What a

terrible thing to happen.

There's always hope ..as you say, "he still eventually might" respond.

:hug:

I'm really at a loss for words.

aA
kesha

[1gobluedem]

39. So sorry, Joey

Vibes and prayers for you, your friend, and his family.

[hamsterjill]

40. Sending warm, comfort vibes

I'm sorry. I wish comfort and peace to all involved!

[DoBotherMe]

41. Hugs to you and your friend

:hug: Dana ; )

[Forkboy]

42. Sorry, Joey.

Best wishes to your friend.

[Call Me Wesley]

43. Good vibes coming for Chuck.

:hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

44. peaceful vibes to all.