Big News Timeline

July 25-31st: Pastor Chester goes to ER (ER visit #1) due to a bowel obstruction. Scans show colon cancer in colon and possibly in lungs. Procedure clears the obstruction in his colon. First biopsy shows it is a common type of colon cancer (adenocarcinoma) and spots in the lungs (metastatic) are suspected. A genetic component is suspected (mismatch repair gene issue). Chester is discharged from hospital. August 6: Meet with surgeon and planned for surgery to take out most of the colon (laparoscopic hemicolectomy) for August 14th. August 14th - 19th: Surgery went well. Ups and downs during recovery at hospital. Late August / Early September: Recovery at home, first cancer centre (oncology) appointment, along with naturopath oncology appointments + lifestyle changes.

Full biopsy results show a minimum of late Stage 3 cancer, due to its spread to lymph nodes and stage 4 is assumed due to 95% certainty of spots in his liver.

September 12-17th: ER visit # 2, a small intestine obstruction September 22: ER visit # 3, sudden pain from scar tissue formation and "shedding" from original surgery sent us to ER. Chester recovered quickly that day at ER after pain was under control. September 27th church update: Pastor Chester announces that we will be welcoming Jonathan Schultz as St. Paul's vacancy pastor for the next 3 months as he concentrates on treatment and healing. WELS-Canada is supporting the funding for the vacancy, so that Pastor Chester can stay on full medical benefits and salary during this time. October 2: Chester trying a new strain of mistletoe therapy at naturopath oncology today. Immunotherapy is scheduled to start on Thursday, October 8th if Chester's bloodwork is within range to start it that day.

Thank you for "walking with us."