LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Randy Christian, a former Lubbock city councilman, has entered hospice care after decades of battling multiple cancers linked to Lynch syndrome, a genetic mutation that significantly increases the risk of developing several types of cancer.<\/p>\n
Christian, who has been married to his wife Margaret for 45 years, said he and Margaret made the decision together to stop cancer therapies and focus on managing his pain at home.<\/p>\n
A cancer history that began in childhood<\/p>\n
The first sign of trouble came when Christian was 8 years old, when he noticed blood in the toilet and told his mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I told my mother about it and she saw it and she almost started crying,\u201d Christian said.<\/p>\n
Cancer runs deep in his family. Christian described what he calls a \u201ccancer family tree\u201d \u2014 a legal pad filled with the names of relatives on both sides, beginning with his grandmother, who died of cancer when his mother was 5 years old.<\/p>\n
Christian later learned the cause: Lynch syndrome, a genetic mutation that researchers at MD Anderson estimate affects at least one million people in the United States, most of whom are unaware they carry it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had my first colonoscopy at age 15,\u201d Christian said.<\/p>\n
He had his colon removed due to cancer in his 30s, while he and Margaret were starting their family. Margaret recalled that their son Peter was 3 years old and their son Philip had just been born and was still in diapers at the time of that diagnosis. Both sons have since tested positive for Lynch syndrome.<\/p>\n
From council chambers to advocacy in Austin<\/p>\n
Christian was diagnosed with cancer just before he was sworn in as a Lubbock city councilman in 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I carried one of those portable pumps to council meetings,\u201d he said. \u201cYou just live with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He went on to advocate in Austin for Lynch syndrome awareness, successfully pushing legislators to designate March 22 as Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day. He credited regular cancer screening as the reason he has lived as long as he has.<\/p>\n
Two new cancers, a new decision<\/p>\n
Christian has now survived cancer three times. He is currently fighting two new diagnoses: stomach cancer and esophageal cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the tumors is right here and the other one is around here,\u201d Christian said, pointing to the locations on his body.<\/p>\n
He said he opted against surgery to remove the tumors.<\/p>\n
\u201cUn-uh, I have such an abbreviated plumbing system as it is with no colon,\u201d Christian said.<\/p>\n
Choosing hospice<\/p>\n
Christian and Margaret have chosen to remain at home and receive care from Cindy, their hospice nurse, who visits regularly to manage his pain.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to decide when that point comes,\u201d Christian said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s not easy. As Cindy says, \u2018We\u2019re not here to kill you. We\u2019re here to make every one of your days as good as possible and that involves managing the pain.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret said the hospice team has been a source of support for the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re compassionate. They\u2019re kind. They\u2019re knowledgeable. And they come in and they help,\u201d Margaret said. \u201cHospice does not have to be end of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christian said he continues to pray for healing while accepting his reality.<\/p>\n
\u201cI pray for healing every day, but the reality is I still have stomach cancer and esophageal cancer and they\u2019re not going anywhere,\u201d Christian said. \u201cWhen I die, I know that God will welcome me up with open arms. So, what more could I ask for?\u201d<\/p>\n
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