Chase A Sterry Update!

Chase continues his brave and valiant battle with his tumor; and all of the difficulties that have come along with it.

Sometimes it seems hard to remember what life was like for Chase before the tumor. Even though that was a mere 6 months ago...it often seems like another lifetime. The easy carefree days spent with childhood buddies, going fishing, going hunting, drving his truck, and just hanging out as guys his age do!

First it was simply trying to figure out what was causing this pain in his neck. That gradually turned into numbness and tingling in his extremities. Days of powerful IV steroids...that were doing nothing. Then the trip to Mayo for what we, even the first Mayo neurologist thought would be a plasma exchange to treat the misdiagnosed Transverse Myelitis. Only to have the brutal discovery of a tumor "taking up residence" in this young man's spinal cord! In order to determine exactly what kind of tumor this was, and if it could be removed, surgery was necessary.

The surgeons presented the family with several scenarios of what to expect following surgery. After a long, grueling 12 hour wait. Filled with prayers & hopeful confidence the family was presented with the least favorable out come. The tumor was a Grade III tumor (IV being the worst), and was impossible to remove simply due to it's nature. Being very fluid with tentacle-like growths. In order to remove enough tissue for a biopsy, and to allow space in the spinal cord 4 vertebrae were removed which necessatated the placement of a steel fusion in his neck. The trauma of the surgery left this young man a quadriplegic as well.

This took place in January 2013. Chase was discharged from St Mary's hospital in Rochester on March 20th, 2013. During this entire time Chase's father Randy was by his side! Through 30 radiation treatments and weeks of therapy. Chase had a catheter following surgery. This proved to be trouble from the get-go. It is very prone to infections and has proven that to be correct. The famly living room became Chase's in-home hospital room. His father was able to spend the first month back home with Chase and became very proficient with the "ins and outs" of catheters. More then any lay person ever really wants to know! We have discovered that a sense of humor is mandatory to get you through the most difficult times and breeze through the easy ones.

Within the first few weeks at home Chase began making rather frequent trips to  the ER. Due to problems with his catheter. The most recent trip was due to septic shock. That is a very scary and can be life threatening for a person in Chase's condition. This situation was addressed with a strong IV course of antibiotics and steroids. Chase is due to be discharged tomorrow afternoon. 

Through all of this Chase has set the bar very high for those around him to follow. No matter how traumatic, scary, painful or down-right maddening he NEVER complains. He responds as you so often hear heroes respond, "I'm just doing what needs to be done." His father calls him his hero! He is only 18, so when it comes to legalities on the cusp of adulthood. He has proven maturity and character don't have an age limit.

His Eden Prairie High School class is set to have their graduation ceremony on Friday, June 7th and 7PM. Chase has been amazing through all of this to get tutoring in the midst of radiation treatments and physical therapy in a hospital room. Not your normal high school senior environment. His family plans to be there that June evening to watch him get his high school diploma. He has proven himself worthy of that and so much more

Follow Chase on his Caringbridge page by visiting "chasesterry" or on Facebook in the "Believe in Chase" group. Thank you!