Hey Y'all! Chuck was out of it most of the day due to his surgery. Everything went well and Alice and I got to spend some time with him throughout the day. He was moved to another ward, which is a good thing.
Many of you have asked for an address to send cards... I appreciate that very much. I am not ignoring this request, but I am holding off on that until I have more info on how long we will be here and where Chuck will be (which ward) for the duration of our stay here. He could be moved again after his surgery on Saturday, or even before that. I don't want to give an address and then the letters not get to him. We will probably be here a few more weeks, but only time will tell.
I don't really have a lot of info to give you right now. Chuck is doing well and is coherent off and on. He's been smiling a lot more lately when I talk to him, which lets me know he is really hearing what I am saying to him. I always tell him you all are out there praying for him... I tell him every day.
Again, I thank you all for your prayers for all of us. When I have more to update, I will do so.
Take care and God Bless!
Carren
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Update as of 28 June
Thank you all, again for your kind words, encouragement, support, etc. I tell Chuck daily that all of you are out there and I think he really "feels" the power of the prayers. I know I do! In the next few days you may "hear" from Chuck. Tonight he asked me if he could dictate something to post to all of you. I told him I would when he was ready.
He had surgery yesterday (Monday). They cleaned out all of his wounds and the surgeons said he is healing well. He has surgery again tomorrow (Wed.), and then possibly again on Saturday. They could start skin grafting as early as next Tuesday. They have to clean his wounds every 48-72 hours, and it is easier (and less painful for him) if they knock him out and take him to the OR. He has had some really great nurses caring for him the last few days, and I thank them all the time! He has a number of doctors/surgeons that I have met and they are all amazing. He is in great hands!
He needs alot of grafting: his left arm, right leg, right thumb, and a few other places on his body. He can move pretty well, considering all of his injuries. He can move his legs and has good movement of his shoulders and head. I give him lots of kisses and spend a lot of time just playing with his hair and touching his face.
There have been a number of other wounded soldiers coming in and out of Chuck's ward. I don't know their names, but there are many other soldiers out here who could use your prayers. Although Chuck is injured badly, I have seen others who are much worse... and I am truly grateful to God for protecting my husband, as well as CPT Spencer.
For those who wish to support the Fighting Aces, please go to www.twobabesandabrain.com. Lisa and Chris have been AMAZING in supporting the Aces, even before Chuck's injury. They have a paypal account that will allow you to donate money to help purchase things for Chuck's men. Speaking of his men, Chuck is so worried about them. I called our Rear D Commander today to make sure the Aces were all okay, and they are.
As far as ordering t-shirts, or "Aces Gear" as Chuck posted, you can still order the shirts. I am going to extend the time to the end of July. If we have enough orders to order before that, we may do so, and then place another order later in July. So if you want to order Fighting Aces t-shirts, search through Chuck's blog for the title "Get your Fighting Aces Gear Here." The mailing address and prices, etc. are in that post. Please do not send anything but t-shirt orders to that address!!! If you want to send stuff to Chuck's men in Iraq, you can mail it to his XO or one of his PLs:
CPT Jason Spencer
C. Co. 2-34 AR, 3BCT
FOB Gabe
APO AE 09397
or LT Jim Meeks (same address)
These guys will make sure all of the Aces get what you send them. They are amazing leaders and care about the men just as much as Chuck does.
I have babbled enough for now. Alice and I took a good nap today, so don't worry about us. We are doing our best to take care of ourselves and we have some great people here who are helping us do that.
BTW, did any of you here anything on CNN about Chuck and his blog? Alice (Chuck's mom) got an e-mail from a friend that Chuck's name and something about his blog was on CNN on Monday. If you have any info on that, could you let me know in the comments section? Thanks.
Take care and God Bless!
Carren
He had surgery yesterday (Monday). They cleaned out all of his wounds and the surgeons said he is healing well. He has surgery again tomorrow (Wed.), and then possibly again on Saturday. They could start skin grafting as early as next Tuesday. They have to clean his wounds every 48-72 hours, and it is easier (and less painful for him) if they knock him out and take him to the OR. He has had some really great nurses caring for him the last few days, and I thank them all the time! He has a number of doctors/surgeons that I have met and they are all amazing. He is in great hands!
He needs alot of grafting: his left arm, right leg, right thumb, and a few other places on his body. He can move pretty well, considering all of his injuries. He can move his legs and has good movement of his shoulders and head. I give him lots of kisses and spend a lot of time just playing with his hair and touching his face.
There have been a number of other wounded soldiers coming in and out of Chuck's ward. I don't know their names, but there are many other soldiers out here who could use your prayers. Although Chuck is injured badly, I have seen others who are much worse... and I am truly grateful to God for protecting my husband, as well as CPT Spencer.
For those who wish to support the Fighting Aces, please go to www.twobabesandabrain.com. Lisa and Chris have been AMAZING in supporting the Aces, even before Chuck's injury. They have a paypal account that will allow you to donate money to help purchase things for Chuck's men. Speaking of his men, Chuck is so worried about them. I called our Rear D Commander today to make sure the Aces were all okay, and they are.
As far as ordering t-shirts, or "Aces Gear" as Chuck posted, you can still order the shirts. I am going to extend the time to the end of July. If we have enough orders to order before that, we may do so, and then place another order later in July. So if you want to order Fighting Aces t-shirts, search through Chuck's blog for the title "Get your Fighting Aces Gear Here." The mailing address and prices, etc. are in that post. Please do not send anything but t-shirt orders to that address!!! If you want to send stuff to Chuck's men in Iraq, you can mail it to his XO or one of his PLs:
CPT Jason Spencer
C. Co. 2-34 AR, 3BCT
FOB Gabe
APO AE 09397
or LT Jim Meeks (same address)
These guys will make sure all of the Aces get what you send them. They are amazing leaders and care about the men just as much as Chuck does.
I have babbled enough for now. Alice and I took a good nap today, so don't worry about us. We are doing our best to take care of ourselves and we have some great people here who are helping us do that.
BTW, did any of you here anything on CNN about Chuck and his blog? Alice (Chuck's mom) got an e-mail from a friend that Chuck's name and something about his blog was on CNN on Monday. If you have any info on that, could you let me know in the comments section? Thanks.
Take care and God Bless!
Carren
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Update as of 26 June
Hello to you all! I am at Walter Reed and have spent the last two days with my beloved husband. His mother, Alice, is here also. Chuck is doing okay, considering. He is on A LOT of pain meds, so conversations are rather interesting. I have told him about all of you "out there" who are praying for him and our family. Although he can't really express his feelings, he knows you all are out there and I know he will thank you personally when he is able. Alice and I thank all of you as well. From the bottom of our hearts...
I need to clarify what happened to Chuck, from what I understand. Somewhere out in "blog country," a story has been fabricated that Chuck actually picked up the IED. My husband is NOT an idiot and would NEVER do such a thing! So whoever started this story, you need to clarify on YOUR blog that HE DID NOT PICK UP THE IED!!!!!!
Chuck was on a foot patrol w/ one of his platoons. A civilian Iraqi informant was leading the patrol to the site of the IED. Well, this informant (ass hole) set the patrol up and the IED was remotely detonated. And my husband was hit!!! The blast blew him into the canal, and CPT Jason Spencer went into the canal and saved Chuck's life... he kept him above the water so he didn't drown. THAT is the story in a nut shell. I am sure Chuck will explain in full detail when he is able. He did NOT pick up the IED!!!!!!!!!
I feel better now... I needed to clarify.
I am really tired now and I need to try to get some sleep. Please continue praying for Chuck and our family. And don't forget his men. This has taken a toll on his men, as well as all of 2-34 AR BN. Pray for all of them, as well as all of the men and women who are sacrificing while deployed, and those who await their loved ones to come home. It's not about US, it is about those who sacrifice every day so the war is not in our back yard.
I promise I am not angry. This is the most intense thing I have ever been through in my life. But it is not about me either, and I never want it to be. It is about my husband Chuck, my Hero!
I will post again soon.
Take care, God Bless, and I thank you all for your love and support!
Carren
I need to clarify what happened to Chuck, from what I understand. Somewhere out in "blog country," a story has been fabricated that Chuck actually picked up the IED. My husband is NOT an idiot and would NEVER do such a thing! So whoever started this story, you need to clarify on YOUR blog that HE DID NOT PICK UP THE IED!!!!!!
Chuck was on a foot patrol w/ one of his platoons. A civilian Iraqi informant was leading the patrol to the site of the IED. Well, this informant (ass hole) set the patrol up and the IED was remotely detonated. And my husband was hit!!! The blast blew him into the canal, and CPT Jason Spencer went into the canal and saved Chuck's life... he kept him above the water so he didn't drown. THAT is the story in a nut shell. I am sure Chuck will explain in full detail when he is able. He did NOT pick up the IED!!!!!!!!!
I feel better now... I needed to clarify.
I am really tired now and I need to try to get some sleep. Please continue praying for Chuck and our family. And don't forget his men. This has taken a toll on his men, as well as all of 2-34 AR BN. Pray for all of them, as well as all of the men and women who are sacrificing while deployed, and those who await their loved ones to come home. It's not about US, it is about those who sacrifice every day so the war is not in our back yard.
I promise I am not angry. This is the most intense thing I have ever been through in my life. But it is not about me either, and I never want it to be. It is about my husband Chuck, my Hero!
I will post again soon.
Take care, God Bless, and I thank you all for your love and support!
Carren
Friday, June 24, 2005
Correction to previous post...
Okay, today is Friday, not Thursday. Chuck made it into Walter Reed today... Friday. I get there tomorrow... Saturday. I don't even know what day it is and I am not the one looped up on pain killers! Maybe I should be? ha ha
Just wanted to clarify, in case y'all forgot what day it was too! :)
Take care and God Bless!
Carren
Just wanted to clarify, in case y'all forgot what day it was too! :)
Take care and God Bless!
Carren
Quick Update... have to pack!
Hello Folks!
I am packing up and headed out the door tomorrow morning for Walter Reed. Chuck made it there safely this evening (Thursday). I will get there tomorrow evening, and his mother will get there tomorrow afternoon.
I have not talked to him since last night, but I understand that he is still doing just fine and there were no problems on the long flight from Germany.
I know many of you in the DC area want to visit Chuck, and I appreciate that w/ all of my heart. We do not know how long he will be there. I ask that no one visit him until I can give you all an update on how long we might be. I also ask this because Chuck will see his mom first tomorrow, which is cool, and then he will see me, his better half! I want him to see his family before anyone else. I hope you all can understand that.
I will keep you updated as much as possible. Either through someone else posting for me, or I may be able to post myself. If you go to www.twobabesandabrain.com, you will be updated on that blog as well.
I appreciate all you have done! I have printed out MANY of the responses you all have written so Chuck can see them right away.
Take care and god Bless!
Until next time,
Carren
I am packing up and headed out the door tomorrow morning for Walter Reed. Chuck made it there safely this evening (Thursday). I will get there tomorrow evening, and his mother will get there tomorrow afternoon.
I have not talked to him since last night, but I understand that he is still doing just fine and there were no problems on the long flight from Germany.
I know many of you in the DC area want to visit Chuck, and I appreciate that w/ all of my heart. We do not know how long he will be there. I ask that no one visit him until I can give you all an update on how long we might be. I also ask this because Chuck will see his mom first tomorrow, which is cool, and then he will see me, his better half! I want him to see his family before anyone else. I hope you all can understand that.
I will keep you updated as much as possible. Either through someone else posting for me, or I may be able to post myself. If you go to www.twobabesandabrain.com, you will be updated on that blog as well.
I appreciate all you have done! I have printed out MANY of the responses you all have written so Chuck can see them right away.
Take care and god Bless!
Until next time,
Carren
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