Dana’s Journey

07/07/2025

Randy has chemo tomorrow. It’s his 8 hour day. His throat is quite sore today after ANOTHER choking scare. I had to do the heimlich on him for the second time after choking again. His first choking episode was about a month ago. It is scary for him and for me as well. I’m so afraid I won’t be successful in trying to clear his throat. Anyway, I just wanted to update you guys and ask you to continue to pray for us as we face this battle. We are wearing down. Just so tired. Thank you.

05/07/2025

I don’t talk much about the way all this affects me because I’m not the one that is important here. The sadness, the worry, the loneliness…. It’s really getting to me. I wont fo into detail about all that im struggling with but it’s hard for me to take care of him when I can’t even take care of myself. I feel like I’m letting him down so if you have a few minutes and a few words to send upstairs, please do. I appreciate the love and support and all the prayers we can get.

01/07/2025

We have some really good news that we got today! Randy had a PET scan about two weeks ago and I refused to read the results out of fear of growth. Well I was wrong!! He is still not a candidate for surgery which is the bad news but the good news is that his tumor has shrunk by 2 cm and gone from 17 intensity to 15. I don’t completely understand what that means and I refuse to look it up out of fear of what I’ll read on Dr. Google. But I do know it’s a good thing! Our local oncologist was pleased. Now I can’t wait to hear what Randy’s Emory oncologist says. Your prayers are working!! PLEASE KEEP THEM GOING UP! Give God the glory for this wonderful news and keep on prayin’! We thank you all and we love you all!

We are beginning a go fund me for Randy and Dana (Carter) Chapma… Susan Henderson needs your support for Help Dana and Randy and their FIGHT to stay TOGETHER!

23/06/2025

Prayer Warriors please pray!!! Randy is being sent to the hospital by ambulance with critically low oxygen level. They believe he has aspiration pneumonia! Pray hard please!!

19/06/2025

https://gofund.me/be5d75cf

We are beginning a go fund me for Randy and Dana (Carter) Chapma… Susan Henderson needs your support for Help Dana and Randy and their FIGHT to stay TOGETHER!

18/06/2025

I just got the text. Randy’s latest pet scan results have been uploaded onto his chart. I’m scared. It’s hanging over my head and I’m too scared to look. This one message is going to change things forever amd change us forever. Im too scared to look. What do I do? Dear Lord, help me.

16/06/2025

I don’t have it in me to give up hope and to accept what is happening. Randy had an appointment at UAB for a second opinion on…. Well….. I can’t even say it. I was hoping they’d say they could and would do surgery and we would have a long road to recovery but at least we could be on that road. BUT Randy’s insurance denied this appointment because it’s in Alabama. I’m devastated and I don’t know how to even begin to tell Randy.

10/06/2025

This hurts my soul. Randy’s voice is starting to go. He can barely talk today. He can’t swallow his much needed medication. I’m doing all I can think of to get these meds in him at least until he can get back to the doctor. And then I sneak off into another room and cry my eyes out. I have so many emotions that I can’t handle it. Please pray I find some strength somewhere that my emotional devastation and suffering is something that God really steps in and helps me with and that Randy isn’t suffering at all, physically or emotionally. It’s tearing me up just thinking about him having one ounce of pain. Jesus take the wheel because I can’t do this on my own!!!

08/06/2025

Randy has been sick with severe stomach issues for four days. I’ve been so stressed I’ve cried non stop for two days. I hate complaining but I’m getting really tired but nothing like he is, I’m sure. He fights every single day. Please just continue to pray that we get some much needed rest. Thank you.

03/06/2025

I kind of hate to ask you guys to do this….. but it would be a huge favor to me. I want to show Randy how much he is loved. I’d like for him to get some mail (greeting cards and/or letters) to show him how much he is loved, not to mention to give him something to make him smile. If by chance you might be interested in doing me this favor, please PM me for address. Thank you all so much! We love all of you guys!

31/05/2025

Just a quick update. Randy is about the same that he has been for a few weeks now. His poor face is breaking out in a rash with really red, dry, itchy skin. The nurse said that is a side effect of his chemo. He goes back Monday for his 8 hour treatment and then will come home again with his pump for the week. He has another PET scan June 3 and then we go to UABBon June 10. While I’m not expecting good news, I am hoping and praying for it. It’s so hard to hear those heartbreaking words coming from the doctor even though you already know. I’m terribly in denial and when someone tells me what is happening it hits me like a ton of bricks. Please continue to pray for us. We feel your prayers and we appreciate them so much!! Also please share our GoFundMe page. I hate to admit it but we do need the extra help.” during this time. Thank you all and we love you all!

We are beginning a go fund me for Randy and Dana (Carter) Chapma… Susan Henderson needs your support for Help Dana and Randy and their FIGHT to stay TOGETHER!

14/05/2025

Quick update. Randy finally started his chemo again this Monday. He was unable to get all of the chemos because the cisplatin is so hard on his kidneys and he has been having some kidney issues and dehydration issues. He did come home Monday with his pump that he has to wear for the week. It is his 5FU chemo. Please pray that it shrinks his tumor at least some so he can successfully eat. Last night we had a huge scare. His tumor has started pressing up against his esophagus and he was eating chicken last night and it stuck in his throat. I ended up having to do the heimlich on him for what seemed to be forever. I was not succeeding so I told mom to call 911. Right as soon as she dialed the phone, he finally cleared the food and he was ok besides being quite shaken up. We were all shaken up. He is now on board for a feeding tube and will be talking to the doctors about going through with it. He is resting now which is where I am headed. Feeling quite drained. Thanks for the prayers, as always, much appreciated!!