Photo By Tech. Sgt. James Courtright | (Courtesy photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Luce)... read more read more
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It was just another stressful day after coming home from work in September 2019 for U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Luce, a network control center technician at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, when his wife pointed out a strange lump on his neck.
“There was a big welt, just right there,” said Luce, pointing to the left side of his neck. “Touching it, pushing it didn't hurt. There was a presence. There was something solid; something was there.”
Only a month later, in October 2019, the strange lump had been biopsied and removed, and Luce was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a rare cancer of the lymph nodes.
Even though Luce had a grim diagnosis, his outlook was very positive. He said he was still volunteering for morale events and even bringing in food for coworkers.
After starting chemotherapy, each session was worse than the last, he said. While sitting in the Lazy Boy recliners getting his weekly dose, he was still cracking jokes and staying positive.
“I tried to always make it a little light and funny there,” he said with a smile.
He said he was also having a rough time at work since he was not placed on a leave of absence during his treatments. This went on for six weeks.
“On the days where I was so sick and dizzy… I couldn't pick up my son,” said Luce. “I had to put on a uniform. It was pretty bad.”
His hair started thinning, and Luce said it got to a point where he could rub his hand through his hair and see the hair in his hand.
“Might as well shave it,” he said with a shrug. “I look pretty good bald. I think I pulled it off.”
After the chemotherapy sessions were completed, it was time for radiation. Luce said these treatments were aimed at his neck and collar, one time a day, every day, for ten days.
“I was showing up to work with a face mask before it was cool, before COVID,” he said.
With his active duty separation date quickly approaching in July 2020, his new fight for remission and to be cleared again for duty came just in time. He said his plans to join the 121st Air Refueling Wing Communications Flight at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, became a reality so he could continue to serve while staying near family.
“From our first conversation back in 2016 through all his treatments, he’s been the same,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Clinton Hensley, the 121st Air Refueling Wing Communications Flight commander. “He is very, very patient. His work ethic has not wavered at all.”
“I went through the roughest medical treatment that’s out there - chemotherapy - and I don’t wish it on anybody,” said Luce. “Stress is a killer. Cancer sucks, but stress will kill you - pretty efficiently too. Keep your head up, and do what you’ve got to do. Stuff has a way of working itself out.”
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2021 09:44 |
| Story ID: | 406239 |
| Location: | OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 318 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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