Lasting Legacy

Happy Thanksgiving

We would like to wish our family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving.!

 This year we have a little twist in our Thanksgiving plans, due to my Gram De Boer's fall a couple of weeks ago. We will stay here with Kent's family for Thanksgiving, as the rest of my family will go be with my Gram De Boer.   Kent's family is getting together, and it is important due to Kent's dad still cherishing time together as his memory of family is fading due to a form of dementia. We will catch up with my Gram either this weekend if the weather cooperates or we will plan another date around Kent's Chemo schedule.

I have had many questions  of how Kent is doing and How Gram is doing.  I will try my best to tell you my account of both.  I apologize if I get wordy.

Kent is doing well.  He had Chemo on Thursday Nov. 15th.  Kent goes in to the treatment center and receives Chemo and then wears a pump home for 2 days.  He was quite nervous this time around.  He is on a new regimen which had some side effects that could have potentially brought a halt to normal life.  To date, we have not encountered those side effects.  A couple of things that have happened, were every 4 hours or so he gets a feeling like he doesn't know if he needs to eat or wonders if it is nausea?  It is a pain that we realized after a few days that is hunger.  My only wish is that we could get him to gain weight. At 6'3 ish and 140ish lbs.  I get a little nervous with the scale dipping down instead of up.  The other thing we are working with is that Kent is easily fatigued. Lydia often finds Daddy laying on the couch resting.  This seems to get him renewed to spend time with us later.    We will be visiting the Chemo nurse tomorrow.  When Kent went in to get his pump removed, they could get the blood clot meds in to prevent the clots but could not get a blood return, this could be a problem and we just need to make sure he won't get clots.   Over all we are grateful that he is doing well. 

On to Gram,  Gram's health varies day to day.  She currently reside in Marianjoy Rehab Center in Chicago area.  That is until tomorrow when she moves to a Skilled Nursing facility.  It is unsure at this point what lies ahead for Gram.  She has been through a lot and has a long way to go to regain strength.  Gram is very weak and tired but her faith is very strong and living example for many people around her.  At this point it is hard to say how much she will gain back to what she was before the fall, but I honestly can say that is not my concern right now.  I want to see her whether sitting or standing enjoying each day the Lord has given her.  Both Gram and Grandpa De Boer have given all of us grandchildren examples of how to live for Jesus. To be generous with what we have been given and to care for those around us.  I am honored to have them as grandparents and so thankful for how they have touched my life. Gram, we love and care for you now in your time of need as you have cared for so many in their time of need.  We Love You !

~ Leah