Give Thanks!

Some time between 10-12 years ago at Thanksgiving we gathered with my family for a celebration.  My Mom had a craft foam leaf wreath and the task presented to us was to take a leaf or more and write on the leaf what you were thankful for.  That year there were one or more leaves which contained the names of my doctors and nurses as I went through my first cancer journey.  

This year I have a few new names I would add to the doctor and nurses "leaf" and one in particular whose name I know and have not met.  She will become my new Oncologist.  This year I have a few more leaves I would like to add to the wreath.

One of the leaves would be dedicated to family. Two names I need to mention are Lydia and Leah.

Lydia has been my most loving daughter for 19 years and her heart for me and for others just makes me smile on a daily basis.  Tonight I got to hear how God tapped her on the shoulder through what others were telling her what to do.  It is exciting to see God moving in her life and using others to assist in that.  She cares deeply for others and I am appreciative of her for that. 

Leah has been the best cargiver and spouse as we trudge through this journey together.  In most every way she has been what I am unable to be.  She often goes above and beyond caring for me during treatments and even days in between treatment.  She is a rockstar when it comes to anticipating what I need and already having thought about it and executed it ahead of time.  Our often repated phrase is "10 Steps" as that's how far ahead she is.  Leah also cares deeply and I reap the direct benefits from that too.

Both Leah's Mom and my Mom have been super helpful when there is something we need whether it comes down to a treatment or just something else not related.  I appreciate their willingness to use their time and energy to help out when there is something we need.

My final leaf I still count as family, but is technically church family.  I have the pleasure of being associate with 2 churches and there are people in both communities that care for me and pray for our family as we keep trudging.  I appreciate the teachings and the worship in both churches and hope to continue that for many years into the future.  

Even if your name or title didn't appear in this post, don't think I'm not thankful for you.  Each one of you who put prayers or encouragement here or in another methods, you may not know but those are so appreciated and I'm thankful for each of you as I go through those interactions.  I read the comments here often and will long into the future.

What or who are you truly thankful for?  I feel so full from all the people that help us out in any manner.  It's humbling to know especially when you are at your worst there are hundreds or thousands of people out there praying with my name on their lips.

As I close I have 1 piece of  information relating to my medical journey.  Today I got a message from Cancer and Hematology through My care space portal.  They aouthorized my CT and gave me the number to schedule that.  Thursday November 30 in the morning I will have my CT.  This will be 6 days after treatment number 12.  That treatment is Friday the day after Thanksgiving day.  

Pray I recover from this treamtent quickly and also Pray for good results from the CT and continue to pray the tumor surgeons will be open to the possibilty of surgery.

~Kent

Did you get the mail?

Written Friday November 9th.

 Yesterday's mail came in the house, this morning after Kent asked me If I braved the rain to get the mail. You see we sign up for a service where we can see what mail is coming each day.  

The mail set the tone of the day. In the mail Kent saw that we were about to recieve a letter from Cancer and Hematolgy.  He opened the letter and we were given news that our doctor would no longer be working at the Lemmon Holton office as he was taking an interest in full time work devoting his time to clinical trails as he already was doing the other 4 days he wasn't practicing in our cancer center. Let down and disappointed we were for sure, but we will handle yet another change as it comes.  The letter said the switch will happen after the 1st of the year.

Today, was chemo treatment 11.  I can hardly believe that!  We started the day early as Kent had labs, a doctor visit and chemo treatment.  It was a long day.  We started the day at 7:55 am and a return trip home at about 3:15 pm.  As we met with Kent's doctor he shared with us, this... We are a go ahead with chemo treatment 11 and 12 and he would put Kent down for a CT scan before we would approach any further chemo.  A CT scan rather than a MRI or PET because he is one who like to compare two like scans. The doctor reassured us that he would be able to image all of the tumor. We were a bit scared as a CT we feel isn't as telling.  He would read and share the scan results and then further discuss with us what he would like us to do moving forward.  We showed interest in being reviewed with the tumor board, Kent's cancer and likelyhood of a possible surgery.  We understand where Kent's tumor is located is a risky surgery but if we are able to take the tumor out and still continue chemo we feel like it would help Kent know he may have less active cancer in him and less cancer to have to fight. We also discussed the transition between doctors and what that would look like. 

Then we moved into Chemo treatment.  Today we had a window view.  It was lovely with the much deserved sun after such rain yesterday. It was a less busy than other weeks, this was a blessing for Kent.  We had our "new temperary nurse" again.  She is a great nurse and Kent seems to do well with her.  Kent is grateful that I am there as there are times when he is not clear due to medications and that I can advocate for him.  Each nurse has several patients and many meds to keep track of and as another set of eyes and ears I just remember what he gets from the beginning of his treatments.  Kent slept a better part of the day in treatment and I think that is good.  He recieves a series of meds and then the end drug is the actual chemo.  Each time it runs I often look at the bag and pray somehow it kills every inch of cancer in him.  I spend a lot of time thinking and praying for a miracle of no cancer and that the chemo shrinks it all. 

The week prior to chemo 11 was great for Kent.  Many good days and quality life spent doing things he anticipates wanting to do when on treatment.  Kent and I love going out to eat and making surprise visits to Lydia and we were able to do that.  We even were able to attend a Hope Basketball game. We are very thankful for all these times. 

As we enter into this Thanksgiving time, we don't want to end this post without letting everyone who reads this blog  how thankful we are for each one of you!  Your prayers,
 kind words, thoughtful meals, rides, phone calls, texts, gifts in a variety of different ways mean the world to us.  

I want to end this blog with a qoute that hangs in our home.  Lydia when entering college wrote a paragraph in her application and a couple of sentences struck Kent and I.  We had it made and put into a frame which now hangs in our home. We often pass by and is a frequent reminder to be thankful.  We are thankful to each one of you for giving to our family and loving on us.  We will forever give back because of what you have given to us.  Thank you! 

... Giving and caring for others doesn't take the most fancy house,best food, or even the neediest of people. God calls us to care for others with what he provides and with a joyful heart.  Lydia DeYoung.

On behalf of the DeYoung 3,  I can not say thank you enough for giving and caring for us.  

--Leah