'The fight of our life:' Watervliet tavern owners share inspiring journey

WATERVLIET, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The owners of Muddy’s Tavern in Watervliet have been running the business for the last decade, and like all businesses, it has come with its challenges. But nothing would prepare the couple for what they endured this past summer — a series of life-changing moments that altered everything. This is the story of how they’re pushing forward.

Inside Muddy’s Tavern in Watervliet, it’s the smiles of regular customers that make the four walls of the bar feel like home. Serving up their own combination of food, colorful drinks and of course, ear-to-ear smiles nearly every night, the workers said it never gets old.

“You know, everybody says there’s no place like this, there’s no place like this,” said Edward Kwarta, one of the owners. “Muddy’s is different.”

Behind all of it, are the owners Christine and Edward Kwarta. The couple bought Muddy’s back in 2013, shortly after they first started dating.

“I think it was like, what a year and two when we first, our relationship just started,” said Christine Kwarta. “Yeah, when we first met, so we’ve been together, 15 years? Yeah, 15 years!”

It’s been a happy 15 years, where they’ve spent nearly every day tending to the bar.

“You know, I’ll take care of the books and marketing and prior, if I needed to fill in the bar shift for bartending I would. Or I’d be helping him cook and he mainly is in the kitchen,” said Christine. “Until recently, we were there six days a week, solid,” said Edward.

However, in the last few months, six days have turned into five, and now many days they’re home, tending to something else — after things took a turn this past summer.

“All of a sudden, it hit, and it hit hard,” said Edward. “The diagnosis came by the end of July right?”

It was the one word, nobody ever wants to hear.

“She sent me to get an X-Ray just on the chest to see what’s going on,” said Christine. “And that’s when they found something in my lungs and my thyroid.”

Cancer — Stage 4 Liemyosarcoma — a rare type of cancer that had spread from her uterus all the way into her lungs. Stage 4 Liemyosarcoma is uncurable. Doctors told Christine she will likely have to be on chemotherapy the rest of her life.

“Your brain kind of shuts down for a moment; you’re not sure what questions to ask. And you’re just trying to grasp the idea that you don’t know what you’ve got and how long you’ve got,” said Christine.

That is when the couple thought things couldn’t get worse. Unfortunately, the battle was only beginning. Just about a month later, Edward got a blood test, leading to a biopsy.

“And it showed up as stage one cancer, prostate cancer, which is a very slow growing cancer. Usually surgery radiation takes care of it hopefully, but again it’s just like one is enough,” said Edward.

Two diagnosis that meant things would forever be different walking back into Muddy’s. The couple shared that they aren’t able to do as much around the tavern now — which has been one of the most difficult parts of this battle.

“I think for me though, it’s the loss of my energy,” said Christine. “And you know, I’m used to just getting up and going and doing and I can’t do it as much now.”

However, the employees have been picking up where the Kwartas left off. They’ve been filling in on shifts in the kitchen, at the bar, and more. In between doctors visits, Ed and Christine still make time to come to Muddy’s as much as they can. However, there are still countless worries for the future.

“But what’s going to happen? You know, you walk into the hospital and you’re like what’s going to happen?” said Edward.

Christine shared that the chemotherapy hasn’t been as bad as she thought it would be. Some days she feels good, while others she doesn’t — but regardless, she said it’s a battle she’s willing to fight.

“You have to, you have no choice. You know, I don’t want to die. I’m not ready,” said Christine. “So I’ve got to be strong for me, and I’ve got to be strong for them and I’m gonna be, because that’s just who I am.”

Together, Edward and Christine said they will never stop fighting — not only for each other, but also for Muddy’s.

“We just want people to come in and have a good time, that’s all it’s about. Enjoy themselves, maybe meet some new friends, who knows?”

Because for them, it’s the same regular smiles that will always make Muddy’s something to fight for.

“We’re in the fight of our life and we’re going to handle it,” said Edward. “I’m going to at least try to kick its butt before it kicks mine,” said Christine.

Muddy’s Tavern is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on most days. If you come by, the Kwartas said not to come for the cancer, but to come for the good food, drinks and wonderful memories yet to be made.