As many of you know, 2024 began in an absolute whirlwind of cancer treatments and diagnostic tests for Craig. Beginning in January, he was in and out of the hospital practically every 4 to 6 weeks, each visit revealing some new issue or side effect of his treatments.
A massive brain bleed causing a significant seizure caught us off guard in May, as we mourned the loss of Craig’s youngest sister Jackie. His recovery was pretty swift and was quickly followed by the celebration of Zeb and Haley’s wedding day, which brought unspeakable joy for our family.
June and July brought whole brain radiation and the knowledge that Craig cannot, under any circumstances, come off of his current “targeted treatment” (referred to as oral chemo).
August and September brought high school football into full swing. As Craig’s medicine was working hard at treating some new lesions, his adrenal gland decided to quit working at full capacity, and he was back in the hospital with adrenal failure. His oncologist made this statement “you seemed to have received all the toxicity of the previous treatments, but none of the perks”. The good news was that his brain had responded to the whole brain radiation in the best way possible. The amount of lesions decreased from 9 to 6, and the 6 remaining were continuing to decrease or remained stable.
The end of September and beginning of October brought the devasting flood. We were blessed to come through the whole thing with minimal inconveniences. The great news was that there were no hospital visits!
November and December continued the same. Visits to the oncologist, primary care physician, and endocrinologist filled his days. His follow up scans showed steady improvement of the lesions that were present just a few months before, and we were grateful for two more months of no hospital visits. The best news in November was that, for the first time in one whole year, Craig had no progression!
Through each of these 12 months, Craig and I have been inundated with love. This love was shown in many ways; sometimes it was by someone paying for our dinner or slipping cash into our hands. We had meals cooked for us and our cabinets stocked with groceries. Many of you donated to Craig’s GoFundMe or sent us gift cards. Craig’s initials were stickered onto football helmets, and the players proudly wore them. The team surrounded Craig in all ways possible, many of the young men making sure they gave him a hug or fist bump after the games. Football families bought t-shirts and bracelets, displaying their love and support for him. We had prayers and kind words more than anyone could ever fathom.
Craig and I would like to personally thank each and everyone of you for your love and support. Whether you said a prayer, bought a t-shirt or bracelet, donated money, wore his initials, sent a card, fed us, made us laugh, took our minds off of the circumstances, hugged our kids, or just thought about us in general it meant the world to us.
As we welcome 2025 we wanted to give a brief update. We are thankful for each and every day. Some days are better than others, but Craig takes each one in stride. His memory comes and goes and his concentration is the same. We joke that he is just like an old man! He can tell you something that happened years ago, yet he can’t remember conversations from the day before. Chemo brain is a real thing!! His energy levels are unpredictable, but when they are up we try to enjoy them to the max. When they are down, we binge watch shows while wrapped up in the heated blanket. He naps often, as he should!
January will bring a series of diagnostic tests including an MRI, CT scan, and PET scan. These scans will allow us to have a bar set to compare things as the year moves forward. His oncologist also wants to start exploring research programs that Craig would qualify for. The thought process is that his body will eventually stop responding to oral chemo. There is no way to know when that may happen, and the doctor wants to be ahead of the game. Craigs name will be submitted for these research programs so that, when the time comes, we will hopefully not have to wait for the new treatments that may be available.
We want to recognize some very special people who have surrounded us and lifted us up this past year. Our parents : Debbie (and Clarence) and Don and Susan. Our siblings : Nikki (and Shane), Michele, Stephanie (and Derek), Jessica (and Dallas), Steven (and Katie). Clyde A Erwin High School : admin staff, counselors and teachers. The Erwin football team : every player, parent, family member, coach and spouse. Special friends : Lori, Jimmy, Selah and their family; Michael and Meriah, Petey and Hannah, and Craig’s Fantasy football league. The Asheville Vein Center, Crossroads Assembly, and the USPS. My aunt Dean and Uncle Max. Last but not least, our amazing children : Zeb and Haley, Anna, and Judah.
We are eternally grateful for every whispered prayer, kind thought, or donation from everyone. We continue to covet your prayers!
jennidayton 