Dear Family, Friends and Co-Workers,

This is meant to be both an update as well a potential request for help.

Up to now:

As many of you know Pam was diagnosed with amyloidosis in 2022, which is a rare bone marrow disease that occurs when an abnormal protein, called amyloid, is produced by the bone marrow and builds up in organs. This amyloid build-up can make the organs not work properly and if left unchecked, fail. Although it is not a type of cancer, specialists in the field treat the disease like cancer by using chemotherapy drugs and other medications. Pam's treatment has progressed very well to the point where the amount of amyloid protein being produced by her bone marrow is almost non-detectable and thus she is in remission. It will still take many months for her body to fully eliminate the existing amyloid protein which has built-up in her organs so she will feel better. Also, she will continue maintenance treatment for at least another year.

In February 2023 my car was stolen out of our driveway during the middle of the day after returning from taking Pam to treatment. A week later I was laid off from my job at DIRECTV. Due to my DIRECTV Insurance ending at the end of August 2023 I had major spine surgery (L5 - S1 Fusion) at the beginning of June 2023. My recovery was way harder than I thought it would be. Then the unexpected happened and in July 2023 I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Throat Cancer). Due to insurance issues, I was unable to start treatment until October 2023. On October 19, 2023, I had successful surgery to remove the cancer from my throat. The recovery from throat cancer was even harder than the recovery from back surgery. I recently just completed three weeks of chemotherapy and radiation which was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Chemotherapy and radiation are hopeless processes to achieve a hopeful outcome.

Update on Charles:

Now that the active portion of my cancer treatment has ended I am in a six week recovery phase. I am starting to recover from the effects of the chemotherapy and radiation and feeling a little better each day. At the end of the six weeks I will have new scans done so they can determine if I am cancer free.

Update on Pam:

Unfortunately, Pam has been having significant gastro-intestinal issues which include daily nausea and vomiting. She spent time in the hospital twice between Christmas and New Year’s Day. We continue to work with her doctors to see if they can figure out why she is having these gastro-intestinal issues.

We have been so thankful up to now to have received so much support from our family, friends and co-workers by providing the very yummy meals, gift cards, rides to treatment, rides for Lincoln to hockey and financial support during 2023. It is truly a testament to how much God loves our family through His people.

Many of you have been asking how you can continue to support our family. Due to me not working, Pam not being able to work consistently and a substantial amount of accumulated medical debt we are in need of some financial help. We are asking for monetary support, but please don't feel obligated and more than anything we welcome your prayers, encouragement, well wishes, good thoughts and love. Every gesture of love reminds our family of the amazing network of family, friends and co-workers we have, and significantly aids in our healing. We continue to have faith in God that He will bring us through these tough times and restore our health.

With Much Love and Gratitude

Charles, Pamela, Logan & Lincoln