TexasCHLforum.com

Fred passed today around 6PM. Mrs DocV and I had stopped by earlier in the afternoon to tell him we love him and to be with his family for a few minutes. God speed Fred.

So it is way past time for an update. MD Anderson sent Fred back home after seeing him on 30 July. The local doctors treated him with Chemo. However, cancer had already spread from his Esophagus to his lungs, stomach and liver leaving very little hope for recovery. Fred went through several rounds of chemo with a few ups but mostly downs. Actually, I have never seen anyone go through so much chemo. Things went further downhill until December when Fred had one last chemo. At sometime, a hole developed in his Esophagus and fluid built up in his abdomen. He was admitted to the hospital this past Friday and the doctors implanted a stent in his Esophagus to close off the hole. They sent him home on Tuesday and turned him over to hospice. He is very uncomfortable and can not eat nor drink fluids. I am comforted that Fred and his family are strong christians and that Fred spent many decades as an outstanding christian role model for young adults. Please remember Fred, his wife, Carolyn, their daughter Emily and their other family members in your prayers.

Fred has his first MD Anderson appointment in the morning.

I have known Fred since our college days and have worked with him for the past several decades. Mrs Doc V and I were out eating last week when we ran into Fred and his wife who had recently returned from a trip to Europe. Fred had lost a lot of weight and mentioned he had been having some health issues that were still in the diagnosis process. This morning, I learned that Fred is in the ICU for a pulmonary embolism and that the tests found cancer on his esophagus , liver and lungs. Fred will be heading to MD Anderson as soon as possible. Please pray for Fred and his family.