Day out.

I am currently watching the Tigers division series game 2.  I am hoping for more outs for the A's and more runs for the tigers.  Speaking of out I made it to Church this morning.  I wasn't so sure that was going to be the right choice after my shower this morning.  I made it through but my body called for pain meds in the middle of the service.  I took those as soon as the service came to a close.  It was a mere 20 minutes before the pain turned the corner.  We debated what to do for lunch but managed to make it out for a bit.  I felt a lot better after lunch than I did during church.  It was good to spend a little time with my family in a little different scenery.  It was great to talk to all the supporters, family, and friends at church as well.  So far a very good day.  I love everyone who prays for me.  Thanks much for your continued support.  I  greatly appreciate it.

--Kent

The Journey Continues....

It has been a week since we have written a post or have communicated with people, for that we apologize.  A week it has been....  We came home on Sunday.  I stayed home with Kent on Monday.  It was a day of "gingerly" walking around the house, a long shower with many tasks that should come easy to one, they were hard and required help from a wife made caretaker.  A 20 lb weight limit made simple tasks as lifting a computer to his lap and holding certain things hard.  Kent takes plenty of naps as this task he has no problem following the doctors orders on the other hand other doctors orders are more difficult to follow.  Walking and keeping things moving is not one of those things he enjoys doing.  He also doesn't like moving out of the house.  I think he feels safe and knows what his limits are if he is at home.  The one exception is that he has wanted to go to church for a week now.  I don't blame him as I wanted to go when I was cooped up when I had surgery.

Today, the weather was nice, so I thought it would be nice to go for a ride to see Kent's work and visit.  The ride down was great and the visit was great as well.  We then left with intentions to go for a quick bite out before returning home.  We made it around the corner and had to pull in to a parking lot quickly  as Kent needed to make it out of the car.  Unfortunately, he didn't make it all the way.  This action was due to an empty stomach and a mix of Miralax.  That stuff is terrible, for anyone :(   Kent is resting comfortably in his chair and we will try some good food later on this evening.  We have been treated to some food from a co -worker of mine and maybe that will be the comfort Kent needs right now .    As a side note we are thankful beyond words for all the meals and care people have done for us.  We are just brought to tears as we a humbled by those remembering us.

Lydia is doing well.  She seems to like school. She's doing some school work after school with my cousin at Sylvan Learning, and along with that she stays busy at Gymnastics and Gilda's Club.  Gilda's is a support group that she is able to be with other kids and discuss Cancer.   She has made many friends and even went on the night of Kent's Surgery by herself.
  I am doing somewhat okay.  I defiantly am frustrated not knowing how to help Kent. At times I don't know how to manage Lydia by myself as sometimes it requires both of us.  I just want to help them both and encourage them and feel sometimes I don't have it in me,  I'm tired and just need help myself.

We are both glad we made it one week past Surgery and look to the future.  We know that we are in God's hands and that he will do great things for us and through us.  We will take each minute at a time knowing God all ready has our journey planned.  So for now we keep climbing and fighting for Kent's Cure with a cross for the T in Kent.  We will keep following Jesus in this climb for a cure!  For now we say Thank You for journeying with us! ~ Leah

HOME!

The phrase, "There is no place like home.", has new meaning.  Kent has simply amazed me.  Home is where I feel like he will heal best.  He has some pain yet but is getting to be manged pretty well.  I called him this morning to tell him I loved him and that I would see him after church and he told me that the resident from surgery and the general surgeon came in to see him and they asked , "So would you like to go home." Kent said, "Yeah Sure!"    He waited for me to get out of Church and then I came to visit him and a few hrs, and later was discharged.  So thankful.   I stayed with him 2 nights and 1 came back to Lydia.   

Through this whole journey I know why the Lord gives us a spouse.  Kent and I each now have been in the ICU, Each have 2 of the same Doctors (not recommended)  :) and support each other through some pretty intense health situations.  We have done things for the other that you would only trust your spouse for.  I leave you with this today~ Support you loved one, through whatever challenge health or other... This has made Kent and I say thank You Lord for marriage and family who truly are there for each other! 

PS~ Kent would love to have visitors! He seems to enjoy the company and it brightens his day!   Thanks to all!  Good night from HOME SWEET HOME! 

~ Leah

With it!!!

Now that I am conscious and coherent I thought I would take my crack at writing a a post.  The last couple of days have been filled with medications to knock me out and sedate me as well as medications to fight the pain.  Most of the medications I have dealt with fine with the exception of one.  I don't really remember its name all I do remember is that it gave me moments of forgetfulness and hallucinations.  Those were not fun moments to have.  If you ever want to hear about them feel free to ask Leah or I wee can each give you plenty of stories with our side of the spin on them.

Per my health I am on the mending stretch.  I have today gone to the bathroom on my (of the liquid variety) and tonight I started producing a few gas bubbles (of the not so liquid variety).  Besides that I have made 4 trips around the required walking portion of the wing I am on.  I faintly remember walking around one of these with Leah when she was in the hospital several years ago.

I'm sure i haves more on my list of goals over the next few days how many those end up being.  The doctor told us yesterday my day to go home would likely be Tuesday.  We have heard other answers  from other people but at this point I'm sticking to what my Doctor tells me and take every other opinion as a slim possibility.

For now back to relaxing and or healing.

--Kent

What am I Chopped Liver!

Greetings from the ICU!

Today was a Big day for Kent.  The day started off a little later than we hoped.

  A 10:30am surgery ended up being 12:45 pm.  When Kent was taken back he was roughly in Surgery 2 hrs before they called us with an update.   They said that things were moving smoothly they were able to use his port for things they needed to.  They then told us that they were looking at the left lobe to see if ablation could happen and I am happy to report they could.  At this time Kent was able to have His right lobe of the liver out, left lobe had 2 spots or "tumors" ablated and the Dr.was able to assess the tumor in the colon and it is definitely shrinking.   Over all Kent is doing well!  The Surgery roughly was a total of 4 hrs. He is in good spirits and at the moment resting well, as much as he can.  We would like to thank you all for your love a support. Your prayers have all been so appreciated.

 Okay, so do you want to know where I got this title? Thanks for askin'  While we were arriving for dinner at my parents Kent, Lydia and I were walking into the house and my 3 year old nephew asked me and Lydia if we were ready for a hug our response was you bet.  A hug we got! Kent told Lukas "I didn't get my hug. What am I Chopped Liver?  We all laughed.  In all seriousness we are grateful for the surgeons the Lord has given us.  Nurses to give us continued care and loved ones who sat by our side.  If you are reading this you have probably said a prayer on Kent's behalf.  We thank you and Love you! Blessing to all, and to all a good night.  - Leah

Phone Home!!

The last couple of weeks have been interesting.  Last Thursday I got a call telling me I was being reffered to West Mi Heart center.  When I asked why they told me my pre-op EKG showed I likely had a heart attack in the last few years.  WOW!!!  That was when the anxiety started.  They told me they had trouble with the machine during the pre-op so I doubted it actually showed a heart attack but they insisted on a stress test.  As if I wasn't stressed enough I had my stress test on Friday.  It consisted of Ultrasounds before and after a 6 minute "walk" on the treadmill.  We tried getting results yet Friday but were unable to get any results.

Today was full of phone calls.  The first of those was from my Primary Care Doc.  They looked at the test and said I passed and said I was cleared for surgery.  Next I got a call from the Procedure Prep department.  They asked hundreds of questions from do I smoke or drink to do I feel safe where I am living.  I answered them all to the best of my ability.  They gave a surgery time of 10:30 with an arrival time of 8:30.  This Thursday at 10:30 for roughly 4 hours I will be getting my Liver's right lobe removed in order to remove the Cancer in it. 

I was supposed to meet with a cardiologist tomorrow to go over the stress test.  Leah spent hours on the phone with my Liver surgeon, my Primary Care doc, and the office of the cardiologist.  After all her back and forth phone calls the Liver Surgeon and Primary care Docs both clear me for surgery.  The Cardiologist won't clear me without seeing me but I believe Leah convinced his office we would not be coming unless they called and insisted. 

So for now T- 3 and counting.

--Kent

Gold medal winner Pt 2

When I first wrote the post "Gold medal winner" I wasn't expecting to write a followup or part 2 to the post but after today It is necessary.  We had church at the zoo today and then  followed up with lunch and admission to the zoo.  While at the zoo I received a phone call from Leah's Aunt Pam.  She told me she had just run a marathon and during training and the 26 mile run She prayed for me.  26 miles worth of prayer in one day is simply astounding, not to mention greatly appreciated.  Our phone call connection wasn't the best so I called her when we got home later.  She told me the rest of the story.  A friend of her's invited her to participate in the "Fox Valley marathon".  She was hesitant to join in and wanted this to be a God thing instead of a self accomplishment.  About a week after invitation I posted I had started Chemo treatments.  She took this as her sign from God that she needed to participate in the marathon and use this as time to pray for me and my situation.  12 weeks of training and the almost 5 hour marathon worth of prayer for me.  I am so blessed to have this kind of support.  As you might see in the photo above she has "Kent's cure" written on her arm.  Please notice the "t" is a cross. 

She told me she imagined it was lonely going through chemo treatments.  So to feel what that might be like she ran alone and didn't listen to music.  Both through the 12 weeks of training and the marathon today.  During her time in training as well as today she used her time being alone in a conversation with God.  Conversation topic was Kent De Young and curing cancer. 

By this point I am simply amazed and extremely blessed but there is more.  She endured injuries to ankles and knees during training and nearly was not able to run.  I believe it was God healing her to continue their conversation time.  Thank you Aunt Pam for your conversations with God.  Thank you for your determination to continue.  I consider you a real Gold medal winner.  There probably aren't many people who run with this much determination with someone like me in mind the whole journey.  I am deeply honored.

--Kent