Charlie’s DeLorme’s Battle with Terminal Cancer
You all know my dad as Charlie. He has spent a busy life filled with energy and joy. In every aspect of life he has made a way to see the bright side in things.
He has spent his life for the passed 40 years with wife Susan. They have 7 daughters, 15 grandchildren, and many other little things they nurture and care for including their talented green thumb for plants.
They often go between their home in Bluff, Utah which they have turned into a bed and breakfast, The Canyon Wren Inn, and the home their youngest daughter purchased (but cannot live in being in the UK) in Silverton, CO. Here, they care take for Sarah and are able to stay as a get away, and now throughout Charlie’s new battle.
Dad hasn’t been feeling well for sometime. He suffered from a bout of Pneumonia in September in 2019 and never really recovered after that.
He was busy though, working, running the inn, making investments in family members who have a dream of opening their own B&B in Bluff. Investing the entirety of their IRA and 401k retirement into a loan for their purchase of this property. Thinking there was time for family to pay this back once it was up and running. Thinking it would be a good investment for future years to come...not considering there wouldn’t be future years to come, because people can’t live that way.
The remainder of time spending holidays with family and then having appointments backed up once he could finally get in post holidays.
Once, he was able to get in, it wasn’t ever what anyone hopes to hear at a doctors appointment.
On March 13th he received test results that would define the remaining time of my Dad’s future.
First was the meeting with the neurologist who had made things sound so promising, so treatable, so hopeful...
However, that isn’t the case. In the long run, meeting with the oncologist, the tumors in the brain are metastasizing from the lungs. There are tumors metastasizing all over the rest of his body as well. The cancer is fierce and rapidly attacking his organs. Without treatment he has very little time left, “weeks” even. With treatment he has hopefully six to eight months; maybe longer.
There is no choice in the matter. Charlie is 66. As stated earlier he has seven daughters, all of which are spread out and need to be able to get to him before he leaves us. He has a grandson in the military in Kenya, I am in the Florida Keys, my little sister in the UK, family spread throughout who all who need to come and be with him. That being said, Charlie was possibly diagnosed with terminal cancer during one of the most interesting times America has ever seen.
As an RN I have personally witnessed seen what Coronavirus looks like, and it is not something that someone in my father’s condition can survive.
Therefore, my dad needs time. He needs space, where he can be protected and stay as well as is possible. He needs treatment. He needs care. All of these things mean so much.
We understand how hard times are right now. How scary it is, not knowing what tomorrow looks like...
Currently if anyone can relate to this it is my dad.
That being said, my parent’s business just like many of you, is on hold for who knows how long.
Also, as many of you know, the bills pile up, but with cancer, it just continues. Everyday there is a new bill for something more. Everyday you think, “I could have just bought a new car for that.”
We (Charlie’s kids) try to tell him “don’t focus on that right now. Don’t think about that, just focus on being well,” Easier said than done right?
In the end we are grateful for anytime my dad has left, but if he can have what time he has left with a little less stress all of us would be eternally grateful.
He has lead a blessed life, he’s been able to travel the world, and make so many friends and added family. All of you who know him know that in difficult situations he always finds a way to make the best out of what ever may come.
All I ask, is if you have anything to give in his time of need, even a dollar, that you consider it. If you don’t have that, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers more than you know in this time. Thank you so much for all of your love and support. We are so blessed. I am so blessed to have been raised in such an incredible family and by such a fervent father who perseveres on regardless of what falls in his path. He has given all of his children the continual message in life to never settle for less and to never give up! To always strive to be your best you. I have watched him interact with each and everyone of his peers I have met over the years and never seen anything but the same encouragement towards them. In this alone Dad, I am eternally grateful, you see the best in everyone and everything. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ivy Strong
He has spent his life for the passed 40 years with wife Susan. They have 7 daughters, 15 grandchildren, and many other little things they nurture and care for including their talented green thumb for plants.
They often go between their home in Bluff, Utah which they have turned into a bed and breakfast, The Canyon Wren Inn, and the home their youngest daughter purchased (but cannot live in being in the UK) in Silverton, CO. Here, they care take for Sarah and are able to stay as a get away, and now throughout Charlie’s new battle.
Dad hasn’t been feeling well for sometime. He suffered from a bout of Pneumonia in September in 2019 and never really recovered after that.
He was busy though, working, running the inn, making investments in family members who have a dream of opening their own B&B in Bluff. Investing the entirety of their IRA and 401k retirement into a loan for their purchase of this property. Thinking there was time for family to pay this back once it was up and running. Thinking it would be a good investment for future years to come...not considering there wouldn’t be future years to come, because people can’t live that way.
The remainder of time spending holidays with family and then having appointments backed up once he could finally get in post holidays.
Once, he was able to get in, it wasn’t ever what anyone hopes to hear at a doctors appointment.
On March 13th he received test results that would define the remaining time of my Dad’s future.
First was the meeting with the neurologist who had made things sound so promising, so treatable, so hopeful...
However, that isn’t the case. In the long run, meeting with the oncologist, the tumors in the brain are metastasizing from the lungs. There are tumors metastasizing all over the rest of his body as well. The cancer is fierce and rapidly attacking his organs. Without treatment he has very little time left, “weeks” even. With treatment he has hopefully six to eight months; maybe longer.
There is no choice in the matter. Charlie is 66. As stated earlier he has seven daughters, all of which are spread out and need to be able to get to him before he leaves us. He has a grandson in the military in Kenya, I am in the Florida Keys, my little sister in the UK, family spread throughout who all who need to come and be with him. That being said, Charlie was possibly diagnosed with terminal cancer during one of the most interesting times America has ever seen.
As an RN I have personally witnessed seen what Coronavirus looks like, and it is not something that someone in my father’s condition can survive.
Therefore, my dad needs time. He needs space, where he can be protected and stay as well as is possible. He needs treatment. He needs care. All of these things mean so much.
We understand how hard times are right now. How scary it is, not knowing what tomorrow looks like...
Currently if anyone can relate to this it is my dad.
That being said, my parent’s business just like many of you, is on hold for who knows how long.
Also, as many of you know, the bills pile up, but with cancer, it just continues. Everyday there is a new bill for something more. Everyday you think, “I could have just bought a new car for that.”
We (Charlie’s kids) try to tell him “don’t focus on that right now. Don’t think about that, just focus on being well,” Easier said than done right?
In the end we are grateful for anytime my dad has left, but if he can have what time he has left with a little less stress all of us would be eternally grateful.
He has lead a blessed life, he’s been able to travel the world, and make so many friends and added family. All of you who know him know that in difficult situations he always finds a way to make the best out of what ever may come.
All I ask, is if you have anything to give in his time of need, even a dollar, that you consider it. If you don’t have that, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers more than you know in this time. Thank you so much for all of your love and support. We are so blessed. I am so blessed to have been raised in such an incredible family and by such a fervent father who perseveres on regardless of what falls in his path. He has given all of his children the continual message in life to never settle for less and to never give up! To always strive to be your best you. I have watched him interact with each and everyone of his peers I have met over the years and never seen anything but the same encouragement towards them. In this alone Dad, I am eternally grateful, you see the best in everyone and everything. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ivy Strong
Organizer and beneficiary
DeLorme Charlie
Beneficiary