Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween - 1 year later...

Hard to believe this was our post 1 year ago...

"Chris took everyone trick-or-treating in Portand, TN this weekend. He, his wife and son, and other family walked around a neighborhood for a couple of hours. It seemed as though hundreds of people were out and about, going house to house for candy.

A local church setup at a home with coffee, hot chocolate, food, and of course, candy for anyone stopping by. Chris took the time to speak with the people from the church. Not one time did he mention his cancer or his illness, and simply focused on getting to know the neighbors and have a good time.

He seemed really upbeat and able to go around the neighborhood and keep up with his young son and nephews. It was a really good time, and for a night we all could put his illness in the background and just enjoy the time together with the kids.
"

The story repeats itself this year, without Chris. It was the same neighborhood, and everyone that attended last year was there again - but you were noticabily absent. It changed the dynamic of the event. The trip that lasted hours last time, well, not so long this time. The kids enjoyed walking around the neighborhood and trick or treating, small talk was made... but each house presented images of the outing with you last year. I didn't think it would be that shocking, but around every turn... there you are, but you are not here. I hope you smiled down on us all last night, but 1 year later, life is so different.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

In memory of Chris

We appreciate all of the kind words during this difficult time.

We would like to ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either of the following organizations in memory of Chris Earles:

- The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center

- The American Cancer Society

You can find the tribute website here:

www.tributes.com/chrisearles

Thank you.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Memorial Site

You can visit the following website and sign the guestbook and/or leave stories/pictures about Chris, and review photos we have posted.

Christopher Andrew Earles

We are working to get many more pictures posted before this weekend.

Thank you.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Chris

With great sadness, we report that Christopher A. Earles passed away on May 1, 2010 peacefully at home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in his name to the American Cancer Society. Thank you.

American Cancer Society - Gifts in Memory

Saturday, April 3, 2010

PO Box

The PO Box renewal is coming up and we've decided not to renew it. So please do not send anything to the PO Box. If you wish to send contributions, you may do so via PayPal:

chrisearlesinfo@gmail.com

You may send email to the same chrisearlesinfo@gmail.com e-mail address for any communications to Chris and his family.

Thank you for continuing to check the blog!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Update on Chris

Hello everyone, I just wanted to provide an update on Chris.

He is having a rough time. A lot of this can be summed up by stating that he and his wife are dealing with insurance companies, claim forms, and automated telephone systems. You can only imagine that kind of stress. It's a full time job from the information I have been told. If you have ever had to deal with it, you know what I mean.

Chris is still having good and bad days. Lately, he has been prescribed some pain medication that is having some side effects. He is at home full time, going to doctors appointments, and mostly, just at home. A lot of the time, he doesn't feel like talking on the phone, and conversations are kept somewhat minimal. He is having issues as well with general conversation going on around him, the sound becomes too much for him to physically handle...

I have spoken with him a few times over the past month. He wants people to check on him and loves to talk and be social, but he just isn't up to it right now. Between medication, doctors appointments, and general stress of the health insurance situation, he is trying to maintain, and just doesn't have the energy to talk to everyone. Mostly, he talked to his wife and our mom. Randomly, he will talk to me (his brother) maybe once every 7 - 10 days just to say hi quickly and me just check in with him.

He did ask me to tell everyone how much he appreciates the support and well wishes. Donations, he appreciates, yes, however, he means emotional support and well wishes.

The fact that so many people care enough to take time to check his website, drop an email, it means alot to him. He has heard from people he has never met, to people he has lost touch with over the years (like us all have done) and is greatful that people have never forgotten him. He needs the thoughts and prayers now more than ever. The support is something he can never thank you enough for... and his family appreciates it as well.

Chris will tell you "I'm not a computer guy" - so he usually doesn't personally respond. It'll be his wife or myself. It may also take a few days... but if you would like to drop a note to him, send it to chrisearlesinfo@gmail.com and he will get to hear about it and relay a response to one of us for a return email as soon as possible.

As a side note, the latest auction for an autographed guitar is going on now. You can pick up tickets at Crest Honda in Metro Center this week. The raffle will be held on April 2nd 2010. Tickets are only $10 and all proceeds go to help Chris with medical expenses.

Thanks again for all of your kind words and support!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Update for Feb 2010

Sorry we have not recently updated the blog... wanted to provide an update.

Chris is back from Houston and doing well. They are still adjusting medications and getting that all right. He had a reaction to some of the medication so that is being addressed.

Chris has also entered the world of fighting the insurance company on claims being submitted. So far, so good. The only thing being lost at this point is time spent on the phone and paperwork being processed through.

He is feeling ok, some days are better than others. His pain is being managed, but he isn't working at this point. Some of his other treatments are still being worked on for approval, so March should give a good indicator of how his treatment is going once everything is under way.

Crest Honda held the raffle on Friday and had a winner for the guitar autographed by Wynonna! Congrats to the winner. They will hold a new raffle starting tomorrow, March 1st. More details on that when available.

If you have an opportunity to do so, please contribute a small donation to the medical fund if possible. For now, Chris will have a follow up and travel back to Houston in the April/May timeframe.