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