A Message from Charles Wetherbee

Dear Friends of Carpe Diem String Quartet:

Our April concert weekend is going to be rescheduled to a later date, TBD.

In 2017 I was diagnosed with a tumor in my left kidney. Following surgery I enjoyed three years of no recurrence, but unfortunately in 2020, the cancer returned. During 2021, I underwent several bouts of radiation to target tumors on bone, specifically on my rib. I have also undergone immunotherapy and chemo drug therapy to target a spot on my lung. That treatment has been going very well. The bone cancer has been more challenging. A new tumor in a vertebrae in my neck appeared last fall causing it to fracture. Surgery has been planned for March 15 to remove the vertebrae itself, and to replace it with a titanium one. I am currently undergoing more radiation to tackle two new spots on my legs prior to the surgery.

The recovery from the neck surgery will take 4-6 weeks but I have no doubt I will be up and playing again after that. It’s been a bumpier road these past two years than I would have ever expected, but I feel good about the care I am receiving, and am optimistic about continuing to play the violin and enjoying life.

Currently I am still feeling pretty good, and I am looking forward to playing our March series concert - which is right around the corner.

I am including a link to a CaringBridge site that my wife Kari created to help keep everyone up to date who wishes to follow things. You do need to enter an email address to access the CaringBridge site, but otherwise it is quite easy. Updates will be posted on the site, particularly in the weeks after the surgery.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chasw

Thanks all, see you soon!

Chas