Cap'n Chris, Chris Holmes, updates....

[Miss Vicki]

A Caring Bridge Site has been set up for daily updates on Chris Holmes, Cap'n Chris, as he is going through tests and treatment trying to get to the bottom of his medical issues. He and Lynn and their family are greatly in need of our prayers.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ch...89b47626a6780c

[Art-n-Marge]

Many of us don't have or want to create ANOTHER account to track, such as the posted link necessitates. Nevertheless, we will keep Chris in our prayers same as Hook's topic asking the same.

Thanks for the explanation.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

I realize we all have way toooooooooo many passwords and accounts. SIGHHH. Just ask CountryGuy about me and passwords. It is not pretty, even with LastPass to help me along.

However, I have had a CaringBridge account for several years, I can use the same account information for subsequent individuals who set up a page.

Sadly, and wonderfully, I have had several different loved ones that have used CaringBridge to keep families and friends up to snuff on the medical situations.

And, I don't know bout you all, but, as I have packed on the years, I have found more and more family and friends that have medical issues/concerns.

I figure in the next few years, this CaringBridge account may, sadly, get as much use as say, my emails and/or, even the MOC.

And, like the MOC, it is free unless you care to donate.

In this case, there is also a FB group set up to monitor Chris' health issues, but, I know many of you don't do FB either.

[Miss Vicki]

I agree Carol. I have had a Caring Bridge account for years and track several on it.... Thankfully, many of the first are no longer using it to report. It is an excellent avenue to report to many at the same time.

[richfaa]

We also have had a caring bridge account for years. It is only one password. There are new updates on Chris. Many of us have known Chris and Lynn for many years via many rallies and we have great concern for them.

[Mynabird]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

We also have had a caring bridge account for years. It is only one password. There are new updates on Chris. Many of us have known Chris and Lynn for many years via many rallies and we have great concern for them.

Ditto and Ditto!!! [

[Rondo]

We're keeping track of Chris on both Caring Bridge and on FB. Like others, we have had the Caring Bridge account for several years now luckily have only had one or two that have been on it for us! Thanks Vicki and Carol for posting what you have and we hope all goes well for Chris and Lynn!

[H. John Kohl]

Visiting with Chris. From previous reports he is doing well. I got a small Chris laugh. As Lynn stated he was moved to St Joseph Hospital. Currently in ICU until the get the last of the tests done. He carried on a good conversation. He is weak and starting to exercise and build his strength than was lost.

[Miss Vicki]

So glad you and Shirley are able to be there John!

[steves]

John...glad you are there to give some support!

[bullroc3]

Good report John. Thanks. Good to hear Chris is on the mend.

[dieselguy]

I would like to thank John on giving some report to those of us who tried to express we weren't interested in signing up for Caring Bridge or Facebook blow by blow reports ... we simply wanted to know what Chris's issue is. I realize this is my usual callous demeanor, but I just haven't gotten what the "Secret Squirrel" issue is here unless Chris had requested no direct discussion.

[Miss Vicki]

I don't think there is anything that requires secrecy and for sure that was not a directive from Chris. People use Caring Bridge because it is an easy way to give information to a large number of people at once. It is hard to remember who you have told otherwise and sometimes it is difficult to repeat over and over.

[8.1al]

There were no secrets involving Chris's status. As Vicki state this is the easiest way to get that information to everybody on all the forums, groups and different walks of life. I for one didn't find it troublesome to sign up for Caring Bridge.

[H. John Kohl]

This was reported by the family late last night.

(UPDATE: 10/19/2015) Dear friends and family-

The following is an update provided by my mom via CaringBridge.org. She has done a wonderful job capturing the latest from Phoenix, and I implore you all to shower dad, mom, and family with your prayers. God bless, all.

"To all of our concerned family & friends I will attempt an update this evening myself rather than passing this off to our dear children who have done an exemplary job of keeping everyone up to date.
This morning Chris's team of doctors delivered their report on his brain biopsy that was done last Friday here at St. Joseph's Hospital's Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. I am deeply saddened to say that it was not the report that we wanted to hear: 'Glioblastoma Multiforme, grade 4'. The neurosurgeons have determined it to be non-operable due to its location/size. Medical treatment (radiation & chemo....most likely Temodar....done simultaneously) was the best option the oncologists could offer since Chris is not a viable candidate for any clinical trials due to his long list of other medical challenges revealed through this maze of tests/xrays/scans.
Right now we are trying to determine if we can safely fly him back home to Maryland for acute rehab (for strength & mobility) while also getting the wheels turning for treatment with unknown doctors there....or rehab him here to get him stronger first while simultaneously trying to round up the best doctors back home for his treatment??
I am heartbroken to relay this information....especially in light of the miraculous recovery he was making from the West Nile Virus....needless to say, PLEASE continue your prayers for him & our family."

[mlh]

We too are heart broken.
Lynwood

[Virginia Young]

Oh, no. not what we were hoping to hear. Though we just met Chris and Lynn at last year's National Rally, they are both so outgoing and friendly and treated us just like old friends from the moment we met.

Our hearts are heavy. So very sorry they are going through this and still hoping for a miracle.

[Miss Vicki]

from Caring Bridge.....

The Waiting Game, Thursday, October 22-

By Lynn Holmes - 16 hours ago
Again, my apologies for a lapse in updates....anyone who has dealt with hospitals & insurance plans certainly know about the frustrations that "waiting for the powers that be" to act upon something entails! We are presently still ' in limbo' in regards to our definitive plans beyond today excepting that we are HOPING to be on a Southwest flight tomorrow, being held temporarily for us on a 'courtesy hold' until midnight today. We are also attempting to get Chris directly into a physical rehab facility straight from the airport, & have just found out that the U of M acute rehab facility can not admit him before Monday. They also would "not do any GBM treatments until rehab is completed". We were anticipating (based on info from the doctors here) that the two modalities could run concurrently, thus expediting the entire process, since otherwise precious time is being wasted. We have procured (through the efforts of our son & a dear friend) some names of top-noted specialists in the Baltimore/Annapolis area, made initial contact with one at U of M, but he is waiting on seeing records & speaking with neuro specialists here first. We're also waiting on our emergency travel insurance to come through for us, which has yet to be approved for us or our rig/truck's safe return to Maryland. And so the waiting continues ad nauseum.... Meanwhile, dear friends Cindy Swenson & John & Shirley Kohl continue to be our steadfast 'rocks' through all of this madness. And, perhaps most importantly, Chris continues to show steady progress with his physical therapy & gradually gaining strength & steadiness on his gait, & I am learning new skills to cope with his situation. Life is a learning process. Little comes easily it would seem. Please, we continue to implore your prayers.

Approved: Homeward Bound!

By Mark Holmes - 9 hours ago
Just a quick update, folks. My dad was cleared for release and air travel, so he and mom will be flying back east, finally! We will pick them up from the airport, transfer dad to a rehabilitation center in Crofton for the weekend, and get him immediately started with a regimen. Hopefully, we can get him up to UofM on Monday to enroll in the acute care up there and begin discussions with local top docs in the fields he needs. Thanks to all of my cancer survivor friends and dearest medical professionals for your recommendations and contacts in the local oncology, hematology, cardiology, and internal medicine fields! We are most obliged! We're not too sure on visitation or where exactly he'll be, so please hold off until we have a better idea on that front. If you would like to send a card or other, the best place from here on out would be to their house directly. Let me know if you would like their address. Thanks again, all, for your continued interest and genuine concern for my dad - can't wait to see him!!

[sola123]

We too are saddened by the news and will continue to offer prayers....Both of us enjoyed meeting Chris at the Nat'l Rally a couple of years ago...he seemed like the man who never met a stranger...we certainly enjoyed the moments we shared together....wish you all the best!

[Rondo]

To let you all know, Chris and Lynn flew back home this morning and Chris will be in a care facility until Monday when they hope to get him admitted to U of M for further evaluation and treatment. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. It's going to be a long battle but with prayer Chris and Lynn will make it through this crisis!