Charlie's Battle with Pancreatic Cancer

Friends and Family,

The Millers are beginning a long, difficult and unpredictable journey as Charlie battles pancreatic cancer.

As you know, Charles and Mary are loving parents, loyal friends and active in their community. Many who know them have reached out to see how they can best be of support following this devastating news. As a result, we have started this go fund me page to help with unforeseen expenses as they come up.

On February 7th 2024, Charlie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after experiencing unexpected weight loss and stomach symptoms. He spent the rest of the week at BJC Hospital undergoing testing and diagnostic procedures. Following a full PET scan, doctors reported that the tumor appears to be operable. That same week Charlie and Mary met with the oncologist and surgeon to determine a treatment plan.

At that appointment, the family learned that only 43% of patients who are in Charlie’s situation survive to 5 years.

Charlie is undergoing treatment at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis and his treatment plan is as follows:

8 initial rounds of chemotherapy, five of which he has completed. Charlie has tolerated chemotherapy well and after a scan this week, it was determined that the tumor has not grown and appears to still be operable.

The first 8 chemo treatments will be followed by an operation referred to as a Whipple. A Whipple procedure is a major surgery involving the removal of the cancerous portion of his pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder and part of his small intestine. He will be in the hospital for approximately a week and then he will be required to recover for about 12 weeks.

After recovery, he will undergo another 4 chemotherapy treatments. At that time his progress will be evaluated.

In addition to the above treatment plan, Charlie will participate in a small, 30-person trial at Wash U, wherein he will receive an individualized peptide vaccine in 7 doses prior to surgery. Pancreatic cancer is aggressive and notorious for reoccurring and this vaccine is thought to reduce the chances of it coming back.

While Charlie, a United States Air Force Retiree and current Department of Defense employee, has continued to work when able during these initial rounds of chemotherapy, he is unable to be as active and involved in the day-to-day workings of maintaining the household and caring for his family. Charlie is already experiencing many side effects from his treatment, including nausea, headaches, severe cold sensitivity, fatigue and limited ability to drive.

Charlie and Mary still have two children at home, Isaac and Olivia, who are 6th graders at Carriel Junior High School. Given Isaac and Olivia’s ages, and the uncertain prognosis, most important to Charlie now is spending as much time, and making as many memories as possible, with not only Isaac and Olivia, but also with Mary and his other children (Tyler, Tori, Alex, and Emily) and grandson, William, along with the rest of his family and friends.

While they know this will be a long and arduous journey, Charlie and Mary are thankful to all of their friends and family for the outpouring of love and support during this time.