Simi pair fights cancer arm in arm
Once junior high sweethearts, Chuck and Jane Malone show the real meaning of commitment
By Dustin Siena Special to the Acorn

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Jane, Chewy and Chuck Malone

It took a loving and supportive wife, a passion for playing the keyboard and a sweet canine pal named Chewy to nurture and sustain Simi Valley resident Chuck Malone through six difficult weeks of radiation and chemotherapy.

Last October, Malone, 58, was diagnosed with colon cancer.

It all began on Sept. 6, when Malone noticed blood in his stool, accompanied by stinging and pain. His wife, Jane, immediately drove him to the nearest clinic.

The physician recommended that Malone get a colonoscopy for further evaluation. Two weeks later Malone had the colonoscopy and a biopsy, which revealed he had colon cancer. After many doctor visits, tests, consultations, and evaluations by a panel of doctors, Malone began a sixweek protocol of radiation and chemotherapy in early November.

In addition to having to wear a chemotherapy pump 24 hours a day, Malone's treatment required that he travel four times a week to Hollywood and once a week to Woodland Hills for radiation treatment.

Though he took the first week of treatment quite well, days later the side effects began to take a heavy toll.

"It's like dry heaves only with the other end of you. I couldn't eat," Malone said. "I lost 11 pounds. I had sores on my hand; I had sores in my mouth. Just from the chemo. . . . It burns you from the inside out."

Malone said his single biggest challenge was the discipline required to travel and show up for his treatments, Monday through Friday, for six weeks straight.

Traveling from Simi Valley to Hollywood, Malone sometimes left home at 6 a.m. and returned at 5 p.m. Nevertheless, he stayed committed to the painstaking treatment.

"One of my biggest challenges was going through this therapy and having to fight myself to get up to go to treatment every day," he said. "But you have to keep an attitude of 'let's get this over with.'"

With all the adversity he faced, Malone said his optimism never wavered.

"I didn't want to bring my family down. I didn't want to bring (Jane) down, make her feel awful. I try to keep spirits up for everyone," Malone said.

The retired machinist has some very powerful cancer-fighting weapons in his own arsenal. Music is one of the tools he uses to lift his spirits and release his tension.

"He would go up there and play these sappy old songs on the keyboard and sit up there and cry," Jane said. "I think that helped get rid of his feelings."

Another healing force is his beloved dog, "Chewy the Chow."

"When I was going through my therapy and I'd get my dry heaves on the toilet, she was in there, and she'd sit on my feet," Malone said. "I would moan and groan, carry on and just hurt. That dog was right there looking at me. She was a part of my healing."

And Jane, Malone's junior high school sweetheart and life companion, is his biggest hero, giving him abundant love and support throughout his illness.

"It's taking care of him without smothering him and trying to let him do as much for himself as he can without pestering him and overnurturing him," Jane said. "I want to, but I know that's not what he wants or needs."

Malone finished the six-week treatment at the end of last year. He was 11 pounds lighter and still experiencing side effects from the treatment.

The new year brought significant milestones for the Malones. Chuck marked his 58th birthday Jan. 12 and the couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary Jan. 28. But since he was still exhausted and feeling ill from his treatment, Malone wasn't able to really enjoy those important days. He' said he's determined to make it up to Jane very soon.

"Later, when this is over, we'll have our big party," Malone said.

More than anything else he's looking forward to getting back the taste buds he lost during chemotherapy so he can enjoy his favorite dish: Jane's fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

"I have no taste buds and I love food. And lately everything's like cardboard. There's no taste. It's just awful. I miss tasting the food," Malone said

Progress is being made- - Malone said he is feeling better every day.

On Feb. 15, he's scheduled for surgery to remove any remnants of the tumor that the radiation and chemotherapy did not destroy. The Malones hope that after the surgery, Chuck's treatment will be completed.

"I have a great attitude, I have too. I had to keep myself high, so to speak, so I could get myself through this. And the support I had from my family, it was just tremendous," Malone said.