Chris Eccles Combat to crush the C word
Donation protected
Hi all. I’m posting this regarding my brother, Chris. A bit of background: he works in hotel sales (and has for 25 years), is a father to a 17yo son and 21yo daughter. His wife, Melissa, a nurse, has been working as many hours at work as she can pick up and then comes home to take care of the kids (and Chris) any off time. And they need our help.
Starting in late summer, after months and months of not feeling great, (and dropping weight that became more and more noticeable - below is October 2018 vs October 2020) and the impact of COVID on the hospitality industry, Chris, Melissa, and the kids were battling thru, hoping for a the light at the other end of the Corona tunnel.
THEN a different C word became the main concern.
In early September, Chris was diagnosed with rectal cancer, and the treating physicians and surgeons moved very quickly. He was being treated for anemia with IV iron and went for a CT Scan on a Wednesday afternoon. The oncologist called Thursday at 7:45am with a referral to a colorectal surgeon, who saw Chris 8 hours later and had an under anesthesia Ultrasound scheduled the following Tuesday.
The ultrasound revealed a sizable mass, and without getting too graphic for the non-medical professionals, the next step was the placement of a colostomy (with all CURRENT plans still being that its reversible). Chris was admitted to the hospital on 9/28, and the day before his birthday had a colostomy put in place. So In true Chris fashion, every time the nurses ask “Can you confirm your name and DOB?” Yep, it’s Chris and it’s TODAY. After 5 days in the hospital, released on Friday 10/2. Aaaand then waited. Not working, but JUST WAITING. Then the following week: Monday & Tuesday: procedures at L&M (during the Backus nurse strike), Wednesday was ‘education’ and Thursday was round 1 of chemo. And as the oncologist has said: we are throwing some strong stuff at you, probably the strongest I prescribe. Below was just a few hours before his 43rd birthday:
As of this post, Chris had round 3/6 of chemo Thursday 11/12. Oncologist has said he’s “rockin it”.
The chemo is going well, he has a back and forth appetite, and by the way, they still has one heck of a grocery bill with a 17yo boy, let alone utilities (one of the side affects of the chemo is sensitivity to cold: to eat/drink and feel so he can’t do his usual competition of keeping heat low), rent, medical bills & scripts, and everything else that comes along with a 4 person family with two incomes going down to one (and with the pandemic, a return to work isn’t even a discussion as being around other people is dangerous). Anything and everything will help, and it’s not just for the next week or 2, it’s probably going to help get thru some of winter until the next step (Surgery - a minimum of 2, radiation, more chemo? That’s ALL up in the air.)
We promise to keep everyone updated, and always welcome prayers, positive energy, praying to Buddha, a hardy socially distance elbow bump, whatever is your preference; we’ll take it!
Starting in late summer, after months and months of not feeling great, (and dropping weight that became more and more noticeable - below is October 2018 vs October 2020) and the impact of COVID on the hospitality industry, Chris, Melissa, and the kids were battling thru, hoping for a the light at the other end of the Corona tunnel.
THEN a different C word became the main concern.
In early September, Chris was diagnosed with rectal cancer, and the treating physicians and surgeons moved very quickly. He was being treated for anemia with IV iron and went for a CT Scan on a Wednesday afternoon. The oncologist called Thursday at 7:45am with a referral to a colorectal surgeon, who saw Chris 8 hours later and had an under anesthesia Ultrasound scheduled the following Tuesday.
The ultrasound revealed a sizable mass, and without getting too graphic for the non-medical professionals, the next step was the placement of a colostomy (with all CURRENT plans still being that its reversible). Chris was admitted to the hospital on 9/28, and the day before his birthday had a colostomy put in place. So In true Chris fashion, every time the nurses ask “Can you confirm your name and DOB?” Yep, it’s Chris and it’s TODAY. After 5 days in the hospital, released on Friday 10/2. Aaaand then waited. Not working, but JUST WAITING. Then the following week: Monday & Tuesday: procedures at L&M (during the Backus nurse strike), Wednesday was ‘education’ and Thursday was round 1 of chemo. And as the oncologist has said: we are throwing some strong stuff at you, probably the strongest I prescribe. Below was just a few hours before his 43rd birthday:
As of this post, Chris had round 3/6 of chemo Thursday 11/12. Oncologist has said he’s “rockin it”.
The chemo is going well, he has a back and forth appetite, and by the way, they still has one heck of a grocery bill with a 17yo boy, let alone utilities (one of the side affects of the chemo is sensitivity to cold: to eat/drink and feel so he can’t do his usual competition of keeping heat low), rent, medical bills & scripts, and everything else that comes along with a 4 person family with two incomes going down to one (and with the pandemic, a return to work isn’t even a discussion as being around other people is dangerous). Anything and everything will help, and it’s not just for the next week or 2, it’s probably going to help get thru some of winter until the next step (Surgery - a minimum of 2, radiation, more chemo? That’s ALL up in the air.)
We promise to keep everyone updated, and always welcome prayers, positive energy, praying to Buddha, a hardy socially distance elbow bump, whatever is your preference; we’ll take it!
Organizer
Sarah Mitchell
Organizer
Norwich, CT