25 July 2010

PASTOR CHUCK RETIRED

On 25 July, Pastor Chuck and Diane retired

at a ceremony at Rim Church. 

After 2 years of treatment,  Pastor Chuck is in remission and stable medically; however, he is stable at a level of physical strength and endurance that he felt required his stepping down from his position as senior pastor at Rim Community Church effective 25 July 2010.   A pastoral search committee will identify replacement candidates to continue the 50 year ministry of Rim Church (click on "Pastor Search" in Main Menu on the left).

Medical update:

July 23, Pastor Chuck had another quarterly scan and tests that Dr. Cameron used to determine that the cancer is still in remission.

July 1 2010, Pastor Chuck is doing much better, with the medications controlling the amount of water around his heart.  He's back to a pretty full schedule and preaching with vigor that scares Satan.

June 18th, Pastor Chuck went to the mountain hospital because of difficulty breathing.  After scans, they determined he has congestive heart failure--water in the sack around the heart.  They gave him medication to reduce the amount of water in the body, and sent him home, where he is on increased oxygen and reduced activity.  Please keep him in prayer.  He won't be able to deliver the Father's day message on Sunday.

Senior Pastor Charles Van Kirk was found to have pleural, biphasic mesothelioma, a fast-moving cncer, during surgery on 11 Feb 2008.  The west coast's top expert on mesothelioma, Dr. Robet Cameron at UCLA Medical Center determined on March 19th, that the fast-growing cancer cells were predominant (60%) vs. the slower growing cells (40%).  Pastor Chuck underwent 45 Chemo treatments, to reduce the cancer.   The surgery on 11 Sept lasted over 14 hours, and through it all, Pastor Chuck remained very strong and stable.  Dr. Cameron briefed the family and friends that the cancer cells killed by the chemo form a cement-like covering that had to be painstakingly scrapped and lifted away from good tissue--thus requiring the extensive surgery.  When the mesotheliom (the sack around the lung) was removed, a bovine heart sack was used to reinforce the diaphragm.  It was clear that the chemo had done its job of killing the cancer cells extremely well.   Pator Chuck did so well that he went directly from recovery to a hospital room, rather than spending time in the ICU as originally planned.  His wife, Diane, was able to stay with him, and he saw several visitors.   On Tuesday afternoon, Sept 23 08, Pastor and Diane arrived home in Running Springs!  Recovery from the extensive surgery will be a long process.  Dr Cameron met with Pastor Chuck on 3 Oct 08.  The pathology studys indicated the chemo treatments had maximum effect on the cancer cells.  There were two small areas where surgery could not be used to remove affected tissue.  The doctor was confident that those areas would respond to radiation treatment--and they did.  The CAT Scan on Friday, 5 Dec came back "clear--no new growth," confirming the maximum effectiveness of the combination of treatments to date.  Pastor Chuck and Diane met with Dr. Cameron on 16 Jan 09, to discuss the results of the recent PET scan and blood work.  The reports showed no cancer, and Dr. Cameron said that the monthly follow-up chemo trreatments should be cancelled to allow time for complete healing from the radiation treatments.  The April 24th check-up revealed some activity in the cells that the medical oncologist believed were suspicious, but the sergeon, Dr. Cameron, believed were part of the normal healing process from the surgery and radiation treatments.  Three follow-up scans on 24 July, 27 Oct 2009 and 22 Jan 2010 confirmed that Pastor Chuck was still "cancer Free!" 

Another Quarterly check-up:

Every 3 months, pastor Chuck goes through the trauma of finding out of the cancer is still in remission, or has come back.  It’s a two-day affair, with the oncologist first, on Thursday.  He looked worried, and said he didn’t like the look of the most recent pet scan.  The radiologist, later the same day, looked at the same scans, and said the radiation really worked well, and the scans were clear of any new cancer.  On Friday, the most expert analysis doctor, the surgeon, looked at the scans and told pastor chuck he was still in remission, and doing fine.  Thank you Lord!

Pastor chuck has started interferon shots daily, that reduce the chances of new tumor growth.  They have been giving him flu-like symptoms and weakening him physically.  Dr. Cameron looked at the dosage and told Pastor Chuck to cut way back on each shot.  After only one day, the symptoms have begun to disappear, and he feels much better.  Again, Thank you Lord.   

The asbestos remains in his lungs and the other pre-conditions for recurrance remain a threat, so continued follow-up will be necessary; but for now, Pastor Chuck is healing from the effects of the cancer and all of the treatments needed to kill it.  We continue to ask for the Lord's continued grace in keeping the cancer from returning.

Personal Update:

Pastor Chuck was once again very encouraged by the pathology report and the answer to prayer that his current status represents.   He is now pretty much "back in the saddle" at Rim Church, giving the Sunday messages, attending or presiding at a full schedule of meetings, and doing counseling and administrative work.