This article explores the journeys of individuals confronting significant health obstacles, from weight management struggles to cancer diagnoses, and emphasizes the crucial role of support systems in navigating these difficult times.
Overcoming Weight Struggles Through Bariatric Surgery
Like many Americans, Diana, a 52-year-old software professional from Silicon Valley, had struggled with her weight for years. "I tried every diet - Atkins, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers - anything you can think of. I just couldn't keep the weight off. I was at the end of my rope," recalls Diana. So, in April 2010, she decided to have weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery.
Her husband, Chad, had also battled weight problems for years. When his doctor diagnosed him with type 2 diabetes in 2009, Chad knew he would have to do something about his health before it got worse. So Chad also opted for weight-loss surgery, scheduling his operation for just a month after his wife's. Both used the same surgeon - Prithvi Legha, MD, of El Camino Hospital.
Going through weight-loss surgery together had so many benefits, says Diana. Because they went to different orientation sessions, they were able to compare notes and help each other reinforce what they had learned in preparation for the surgery. Diana says their experiences at El Camino Hospital were both terrific. "I was in the hospital for just one night - it was a very short stay." Because Chad had a cold at the time of his surgery, he stayed an extra night, but also had a great hospital experience. "The staff was so attentive and wonderful," says Diana. "They were truly amazing!"
Since their surgeries, Diana had lost at least 135 pounds and Chad had lost at least 80 pounds. The weight loss has had an incredible impact on both of their lives. "People don't even recognize me anymore," says Diana. "I used to be 290 pounds with a BMI of 42." At 155 pounds and an above-average height of 5'9", she looks and feels fantastic. And she is thrilled that her new dress size is a 12!
Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris
"I used to have all these chronic health problems - sleep apnea, high cholesterol, asthma, reflux, knee pain - and now they have all gone away; although, I still need my asthma inhaler on occasion," she notes. Chad is doing just as well, with his blood pressure and cholesterol under control, and his diabetes cured. Today Chad doesn't take any of the medications he used to take.
Looking back on the experience, Diana and Chad couldn't be happier with their decision.
Chad Gilbert's Battle with Cancer
Forever & Ever: Chad Gilbert on Fighting Cancer and Recording Acoustic Punk | Taylor Primetime
As some of you might recall, New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert revealed a particularly scary health diagnosis late last year, specifically, a rare type of adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma. The band were back out on the road hard and heavy throughout the course of this summer for the Sticks & Stones 20th anniversary tour. Our own Chris Tracy was at the Denver show and grabbed the above photo of Gilbert in action!
Anyway, as tour went on, Gilbert started experiencing back pain. Dear friends! Was having really intense bad back pain on tour (which can happen from jumping around carrying a heavy guitar). I flew home early for an MRI. Unfortunately we found a new Pheochromocytoma tumor in the 12th vertebrae of my spine pinching on my nerve bad. I’ll be headed into surgery tomorrow to get almost all of it out then hit what’s left with some fancy radiation.
Scary stuff but it’s all about the little wins. Each day we’ve been having fun in the hospital and feel lucky with so many things and God’s timing with all of this. If I didn’t go on tour and inflame my tumor, I wouldn’t have known early enough it was there! Then my band’s love and support got me home to get scanned. Knowing me, if pain is making me not play a show, it’s bad. We also discovered I have some very tiny nodules on my lungs but my amazing team feel very confident that it’s manageable and at an early stage compared to where I was last time. My vitals and heart are great this time. Moving forward with today’s amazing technology, I can be on a lifelong treatment that just keeps it all at bay. Like living with an illness but it’s not life-threatening. I no longer have to guess if it will return and can just relax.
Read also: "Married to Evil": Chad Graves
So I ask for all the prayers, hopes, fingers crossed, or whatever you do for people you care about in times like these. Hoping to be home recovering Friday or Saturday! For everyone out there struggling with intense health issues and disease. I’m right there with you. Do your best to make the most of it and try not to waste too much time on fear. Process your emotions but no one’s time is ever certain, with or without good health. We are all the same. Try to love and impact where you’re at and what’s around you and look for the depth of the people around you. See how incredible it is that all these people have been on their own journeys and are now connected to you for some reason. From doctors to nurses to the person cleaning your hospital room, everyone’s story is impactful.
Much love to everyone out there! Can’t wait to be back out. We’ll keep you posted if and when Chad keeps the world updated. Until then, probably keep him and his family in your thoughts, yeah? And in the meantime, if something wonky is going on with you, TALK TO THE DOCTOR!
Another Chad's Experience with Stage 4 Rectal Cancer
Feb 6. 2019 Hi everyone, lets bring you up to speed on whats been happening for the last year and a half:
- 2016 - having trouble going to washroom, lots of testing over the year showing no negative results until….
- October 2017 - Have a colonoscopy and am diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer. There is a large tumor in my rectum.
- March 2018 - Start 10 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. During this time I lost about 30 pounds and became very weak.
- Summer 2018 - Put weight back on and lots more tests to see how well the tumor shrunk.
- August 2018 - Went for a laproscopic surgery on my liver to remove 3 cancerous spots.
- Sept 2018 - First round didn’t shrink the tumor as much as my surgeon would have liked so I tart a second, more intense round of chemotherapy that lasts until November 2018. During this time I was unable to drink or eat anything cold, and the skin peeled off of my palms and bottoms of feet. Still feeling the effects of that on my feet.
- December 2018 - Chemotherapy worked extremely well this time, the tumor has now shrunken down to a flat, white scar. Doctor still suggests surgery to remove the part of my rectum where the tumor is.
- January 2019 - Go for a major surgery to remove an inch of my rectum.
It has been about a month since my surgery and I am wearing a temporary ostomy bag in the meantime before we can run more tests in approximately 3 months. The drain they installed to get rid of any built up nastiness during the surgery didn’t worked exactly as planned and I had to go back to the hospital for another week long stay to have another one put in that I have been wearing for the last 3 weeks. The location makes it very uncomfortable to sleep, or do most of my normal activities but hopefully it will be coming out next week.
I also had a meeting with my chemotherapy oncologist last week who recommends I go for another 3 months of intense chemotherapy to make sure any cancer cells are eliminated, so I will be starting that up again in the next week or two. After chemotherapy (sometime in May or June) I will be ready for more tests and hopefully another surgery to reverse the ostomy that was put in and re-attach my small intestine to my rectum.
Read also: Vallow-Daybell Trial: Key Evidence
At this point, recovery is going to be a long and slow process, having this second drain has hindered my progress by a month and I am still coping with living with this ostomy bag. My mobility is limited, I cant drive, cook, clean, lift anything over 5 lbs, its just very difficult taking care of myself right now.
What this means is that I will have to continue my unemployment for approximately another year. I am receiving some financial assistance from the government, but it barely covers my rent and definitely not the rest of my monthly expenses. The funds donated will be going to things such as: healthy food and groceries, monthly bills, additional services and treatments not covered by MSP (Vit C IV, body treatment, naturopath visits)
As much as I didn’t want to make another one of these, I am reaching out to ask for your help again. Would like to thank everyone for this past year of support, financial, emotional, and otherwise. People bringing me food, or rides here and there, the generosity of family, friends and community have made this burden a lot easier to bear, and I could not be more grateful.
I have located a few boxes of the last record I put out as well, so anyone that donates more than $20 can get one from me until they are gone. If you want one from last time you donated, no problem, just send me a message!
Thank you from the entirety of my heart, this has been a difficult process with a long ways to go still, but I am so confident that I am on the road to beating this thing again, I definitely could not do it without the help from everyone reading this.
The Impact of Compassionate Caregivers
With a grateful heart, Chaplain Chad McCain expresses his appreciation for compassionate Centra Caregivers after a challenging diagnosis. As a chaplain with Centra, Chad McCain is there for patients and families during some of their darkest hours. He never expected to be a patient facing a serious diagnosis and in need of support.
“I thought it was just from a cold,” said Chad, who served as Navy chaplain and pastor before joining Centra. “One thing led to another. The father of three remembers where he was when he received the news. “It was a Thursday,” he shared. “I was on my way to Acute Rehab to support the stroke group held there. I don’t remember the rest of the day.”
After Chad’s diagnosis, a plan was put in place by his team at Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center that included monitoring and, eventually, chemotherapy. He credits God, Caregivers at Pearson Cancer Center and his fellow chaplains with getting him through one of the most challenging periods of his life. “They saved my life, even beyond cancer,” Chad said. They were there in some of my darkest and loneliest hours. Caregivers from Centra Alan B.
One moment in his cancer journey Chad says he will never forget is ringing the bell in the beautiful courtyard behind the cancer center to signal the end of chemotherapy. Although it was “a day of mixed emotions,” he was thankful to be done - and thankful for those who walked along with him on the journey.
“My chaplain colleagues Emily and Christina showed up on my last day of chemo,” Chad said. As a chaplain who now also has the experience of being a patient, Chad wants patients and families to know this: “You are never alone, even when it feels that way. A chaplain is available around the clock at Centra to support patients and families. Chaplains can provide support in crisis situations, visit with patients and families, provide bereavement ministry, act as a liaison and more.
Reflecting on his journey, Chad shared that it is important to him to practice gratitude. He recently shared his story and appreciation for Centra Caregivers as part of that practice. “I have learned,” he said before pausing. “No, scratch that, I am learning that gratitude is a good practice - in good times and bad, in want and in plenty.
Have you or a loved one received excellent care at Centra?
Popular articles:
tags: #Chad
