Chris Wade, the 24 year old banjo player with Marty Raybon, has been diagnosed with bone cancer.
Though a frightening diagnosis at any age, for such a young person it is doubly shocking. The specific cancer is known as Osteosarcoma, and it is said to have an 80% success rate with early diagnosis and proper treatment.
When we caught up with Chris yesterday afternoon, he was upbeat and positive about what lies ahead of him.
“I am fortunate to have a really great doctor at Vanderbilt – she even wants to hear some banjo music.
It sounds like I will have to have my knee replaced and do a year of chemo, but she said that this won’t affect my long term musical goals and ambitions, for which I’m very thankful.
I’m playing now with Marty Raybon, and could not ask for a more supportive person to work for. He woke up early yesterday, canceled a business meeting and spent the whole day with me and my family at the hospital.
It could be a lot worse… I will have plenty of time now to get practicing like I should!
Words of encouragement and well wishes can be left at Chris’ Facebook page.
Let’s hope to hear news about a complete recovery next summer!
