Support for beloved Albany community member Lance Chart

(Organizers Lori Rich, Eric Rich, Teddi Silvers)

Almost 3 years ago, Lance was diagnosed with cancer - a large Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) was found in his small intestine. He underwent a bowel resection surgery. Pathology showed it was a very aggressive tumor, so even though he had no evidence of disease following surgery, he had to remain on daily chemo. The chemo did its job for 18 months, then sadly last June we learned it metastasized to his liver. He joined an oncology drug study through OHSU and with his new medication, he remained stable for almost a year. This summer the liver tumor progressed 20%. An additional chemo drug was added and we traveled to OHSU every other week to meet with his oncology team with the hopes that those 10 pills a day would shrink the tumor. (If anyone wonders what we did this summer, we went to Roaring Springs Water Park in June - fun! and spent the rest of the summer working or at medical appointments). In the meantime, he had additional tests and learned that his liver likely has 1 big tumor, not multiple tumors as is common. We met with both a surgical oncologist and our oncology team who unanimously agreed that liver resection surgery is his best option. He will be having a liver resection at OHSU on September 17th. They say he will remain in the hospital for a week (but I am guessing he will try to bust out after about 3 days). With this surgery, I feel we’ve been given a gift - a chance at a reset. Unfortunately, he will have to take chemo medication for the rest of his life to keep the cancer in control, which can be challenging, but obviously worth it if it does its job. Post surgery recovery will be difficult as he will need to lay low for a full 8 weeks. No driving at all for 2 weeks and no lifting, pushing, or pulling over 10 pounds for the entire 8 weeks (so no work). Not only will it be difficult financially as he does not get paid if he doesn’t work, but Lance does not like to sit, so making him behave for 8 weeks will be quite a feat. The timing is not great and he wanted to postpone to save money for it, but this may be his only opportunity for surgery. We are trusting in God to pull us through once again. We have already been blessed in this journey and have faith we will be carried through this difficult season and come out better on the other side. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, especially for him on the 16th. Thank you!