'Duke' David Chandler Final Ride
Donation protected
'Duke' David Chandler:
Preparing to Go Solo/Through Cancer and Beyond
This incredible journey start in March of 2010, my husband, Duke, and I thought we had it all, a good home, satisfying work, and we were able to do what we loved when we wanted. Duke worked as an over-the-road truck driver, so his job took him away from our home for weeks at a time, but when he was home, we were like newlyweds. Duke was proud to take good care of me and our family…he was a generous provider. (We have loved each other for 25 years and got married 15 years ago. Our life has been wonderful.)
Our world changed when Duke noticed he had a bad tooth. He wore a full beard for years; we did not know what was hiding in his throat under that beard. After several doctor visits and initial tests we were stunned to get a diagnosis of stage 4a ‘head and neck’ cancer on August 10, 2010. That scary and unbelievable message was the beginning of this LONG journey through cancer.
Duke approached treatment like he does life: full on! After 43 days of radiation to his whole neck, living with a feeding tube, and seven 6-hour days of chemotherapy, we thought he had won this fight. It was a short win. The second PET scan after all those treatments showed the cancer had metastasized in his lung (doctors estimate that 10% 'head & neck' cancer metastasizes). We were left with one treatment option: chemotherapy.
Since March 2012 (when Duke was graded to be stage 4c) he has surrendered to every chemo treatment they would deliver…the man decided to fight and give it all he’s got! He finished the six recommended FDA approved chemotherapy treatments for 'head & neck' cancer as well as four trial chemo's at University Hospital in Denver. Each of these ten treatment regimens have failed to hold his cancer at bay.
On March 20 2015, we heard the words we dreaded, yet knew would someday be said - the 10th trial chemo failed. Due to his declining health and the fact that the cancer is now in both lungs, bones, liver, lymph nodes, as well as his neck, he will not qualify for another trial. Thus, we agreed with our wonderful doctor's suggestion to start hospice care for Duke… and our family.
There is no way to prepare for a cancer journey with the husband you love. But we are so very glad we have had each other, our dear family, and friends. Duke has fought this battle hard and long; he has been an inspiration to everyone he has met; and he continued with treatments despite the terrible side effects in the hope that his trial results might make a difference for other patients in the future.
Since the very beginning of this journey I have been Dukes sole caregiver, advocate, partner and researcher. There have been many times he would not have been given the best option for a prescribed chemotherapy drug if I had not learned early to contact the pharmaceutical companies for help. Duke got SSI Disability Insurance after 6 months of no income, (rightfully so since he paid into it for years!); we filed chapter 13 bankruptcy to stay in our home; and I struggle daily to pay what bills I can. I am sure you can understand that not all the medical expenses have been covered, and the bills continue to grow and are added to our mounting totals daily. We need your help. Duke does not want to leave me with insurmountable bills as his legacy. Any financial support during this journey is deeply appreciated. And as we face the future together, one day at a time, I know receiving funds through your generosity will allow relief for Duke. One less worry for him is all I want as he prepares to start his next journey alone.
Duke has been, is and always will be my one true love, my best friend, my greatest supporter and cheerleader, the absolute best husband a woman could have, a good father, grandfather, silent Vietnam veteran, and loyal motorcycle brother. Thank you. Your donation means the world to us both!
Preparing to Go Solo/Through Cancer and Beyond
This incredible journey start in March of 2010, my husband, Duke, and I thought we had it all, a good home, satisfying work, and we were able to do what we loved when we wanted. Duke worked as an over-the-road truck driver, so his job took him away from our home for weeks at a time, but when he was home, we were like newlyweds. Duke was proud to take good care of me and our family…he was a generous provider. (We have loved each other for 25 years and got married 15 years ago. Our life has been wonderful.)
Our world changed when Duke noticed he had a bad tooth. He wore a full beard for years; we did not know what was hiding in his throat under that beard. After several doctor visits and initial tests we were stunned to get a diagnosis of stage 4a ‘head and neck’ cancer on August 10, 2010. That scary and unbelievable message was the beginning of this LONG journey through cancer.
Duke approached treatment like he does life: full on! After 43 days of radiation to his whole neck, living with a feeding tube, and seven 6-hour days of chemotherapy, we thought he had won this fight. It was a short win. The second PET scan after all those treatments showed the cancer had metastasized in his lung (doctors estimate that 10% 'head & neck' cancer metastasizes). We were left with one treatment option: chemotherapy.
Since March 2012 (when Duke was graded to be stage 4c) he has surrendered to every chemo treatment they would deliver…the man decided to fight and give it all he’s got! He finished the six recommended FDA approved chemotherapy treatments for 'head & neck' cancer as well as four trial chemo's at University Hospital in Denver. Each of these ten treatment regimens have failed to hold his cancer at bay.
On March 20 2015, we heard the words we dreaded, yet knew would someday be said - the 10th trial chemo failed. Due to his declining health and the fact that the cancer is now in both lungs, bones, liver, lymph nodes, as well as his neck, he will not qualify for another trial. Thus, we agreed with our wonderful doctor's suggestion to start hospice care for Duke… and our family.
There is no way to prepare for a cancer journey with the husband you love. But we are so very glad we have had each other, our dear family, and friends. Duke has fought this battle hard and long; he has been an inspiration to everyone he has met; and he continued with treatments despite the terrible side effects in the hope that his trial results might make a difference for other patients in the future.
Since the very beginning of this journey I have been Dukes sole caregiver, advocate, partner and researcher. There have been many times he would not have been given the best option for a prescribed chemotherapy drug if I had not learned early to contact the pharmaceutical companies for help. Duke got SSI Disability Insurance after 6 months of no income, (rightfully so since he paid into it for years!); we filed chapter 13 bankruptcy to stay in our home; and I struggle daily to pay what bills I can. I am sure you can understand that not all the medical expenses have been covered, and the bills continue to grow and are added to our mounting totals daily. We need your help. Duke does not want to leave me with insurmountable bills as his legacy. Any financial support during this journey is deeply appreciated. And as we face the future together, one day at a time, I know receiving funds through your generosity will allow relief for Duke. One less worry for him is all I want as he prepares to start his next journey alone.
Duke has been, is and always will be my one true love, my best friend, my greatest supporter and cheerleader, the absolute best husband a woman could have, a good father, grandfather, silent Vietnam veteran, and loyal motorcycle brother. Thank you. Your donation means the world to us both!
Organizer
Tiger Chandler
Organizer
Brighton, CO