Ha Ha Ha!!!

They say Laughter is the best Medicine.  Since we are members of Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids we decided to support Gilda's through LaughFest.  This past Saturday night we went to see Justin Willman at the Knickerboker Theater in Holland MI.  For those of you who don't know who Justin is He is the host of Cupcake Wars.  That is one show we watch as a family and Lydia loves to see.  She was excited to be able to see and thought she would be able to meet and talk with Justin.  Of course being realistic we told her we would likely not be able to see Justin up close other than him being on stage.

The event was set up with general admission so when we arrived we selected the second row for our seat.  The show was entertaining and a lot of fun.  During Justin's costume change he showed some video's of his work.  The last video shown is embedded above, for the full you tube video with more of his work click here.

After this video was finished Justin came out with a balloon like the one in the previous video. Justin came down from the stage and walked past while picking Lydia from the crowd to help him out.  They both walked up and sat on the edge of the stage while Justin proceeded to rip the balloon string into pieces and "trying" to hand them to Lydia.  You need to watch this next video to see what happened.  Lydia was grinning from ear to ear just from getting to spend some time with Justin.  And well she got a little token to keep from the trick.

After the show was finished Justin said he was going to be available in the lobby to sign posters and to take photos and talk with people.  You can imagine Lydia's excitement when she found out she could "talk" with Justin.  She had seen him so many times on TV.  We waited for what seemed to be like hours to meet him.  Lydia bought a poster so he could sign it.  Of course we needed to have a photo of the two "stars" together.  Lydia was on cloud 9 when we left for the night.  Justin Willman was "seriously funny".

That was the most laughter I had in quite some time.  So if Laughter is the best medicine then I must be "Cured" right?  Well we will surely find out what the Doctor's have to say.  We meet with one of my surgeons and my oncologist this week. Early next week I meet with my other surgeon.  By next week I should know what my future treatment plan should look like.

I secretly hope I get put on the wait and watch schedule.

--Kent

12,13,14 ....

This coming Tuesday will be two weeks since I have been discharged from the hospital.  It is hard for me to believe this has been only two weeks.  I feel like it has been so much longer for me.  Today (day 12) was my second trip to church in the two weeks. 

This past week Leah and I went on a few walks.  A couple of the later ones were 3 miles.  Not bad considering I haven't done much in the line of exercise since last May.  My goal is to get back to the point to where I can ride the 36 mile route on the Holland Hundred.  It may not happen this summer but I'm looking forward to getting to that point by the summer after next.

Day 14 is Tuesday and the one benchmark I have been waiting for is the ability to Drive.  The last time I drove was Wednesday February 20th.  I like driving so I am kind of excited to get back behind the wheel again. Leah is ecstatic for me to start driving again. Imagine that!!

After Tuesday I have two benchmarks left to get to.  The first of those is to return to a regular diet.  Since Sunday after surgery in the hospital I have been on a soft foods diet.  A soft food is defined by anything you can cut with a fork only.  Meats are chicken or ground Beef.  Almost no veggies or fruits due to either seeds or skins.  Seeds in fruits also knock out many other things (yogurt is one example).  Definite no no's are chips, Nuts and anything difficult to digest.  I was given a list when I was discharged and told to use it as a guideline.  Believe me I cheated a little but only in moderation and then if something is questionable I chew it so long it may as well have been in the blender.

The last benchmark is to return to work.  I am barred from returning to work until I get a written notice from my surgeon.  His staff put April 22 on the form however I feel as if I will be able to return earlier than that.  Last surgery I returned after 4 weeks which was probably a week or two to early.  I meet with my surgeons the week after next and so I can discuss this with each of them at my appointments.

I have appointments with my Liver surgeon and Oncologist two days in a row.  I will then find out what the decision on my future treatment schedule.  My Oncologist has talked about 4 treatments of Chemo to "take care" of any left over cancer cells left behind.  He also has mentioned since my tumor in my colon had not been growing nor shrinking due to treatment he thought maybe to not continue any treatment at this time until necessary.  After hearing his final decision I will be inquisitive to find out what the next 6 months, year, and so on are going to look like.  It is possible he tosses me right into my first treatment after our meeting. In this case I'm not going to feel like going to my next appointment.  I meet with my Colo-rectal surgeon the following Tuesday. 

I hope they will wave off the chemo for this point and put it back on the books after we see concrete evidence to do so.  I assume I will be on a 3 month "watch" schedule from that point forward for a while.  I'll have Pet-ct scans and Colonoscopy's thrown in the pipe for a while.

Here's to the near and distant future.

--Kent

WERE HOME!

Wow! What a day Kent has had!.

 Despite a nite filled with little sleep and a roomie he is adjusting well to home.  He came home at about 3:30 pm .  Kent walked from his 7 th floor home to the front lobby and was tired when he got there. We then waited for Kent's mom to take us home. He rode home and held the seat belt  not to touch his almost 2 ft. incision.    He is resting comfortably in his recliner and we are having a small meal of soft foods. (the diet he is on for 4 weeks). He will get a very good night sleep tonight and I am excited not to run back and forth to the hospital.  Kent's body and emotions are very weak but he truly amazes me on how "strong" he is. 

We will be resting very comfortable without Nurses and Dr's. coming in but I will tell you when you are in the Hospital as much as our family has been in you know them all by name and you know their story.  Many nurses would share their story.  Give us a hug or special treatment.  I have always been taught that you do onto others as they would do onto you..  Kent and I embraced that as we stayed up there.  Each of them took such good care of Kent and each had a smile as they did it.  We can't say enough Thanks to all of them for their kindness and love.

As he recovers we would love to see you.  We are blessed by all of you.  Thankful we are to all of you for your prayers love and encouragement. Many thanks to you all.!

late nights and early mornings.

Today is Tuesday currently the time is 7:30 a.m.  I am still "hanging" out in the hospital 5 days after surgery.  I am disconnected from IV's and Epidural and doing o.k. on oral Pain meds.  I am still waiting for the "movement"  everyone talks about on this floor.  Once that happens I'll be running for the doors.  Per the late night I decided to watch a show of mine a little later last night.  I turned in around 11:00 sometime expecting a promised full night of rest.  Unfortunately my nurses were not any better at predicting the future than I am.  promptly at midnight another nurse barged in turned on the lights and staged the other half of my room and kept looking at it light she was going to win an award for her arrangement.  She told me the floor was full and I was getting a roommate.  After about 20 minutes of "staging" she left.  at 1:00 the Admission arrived.  By the time he and His wife settled in and all their information was gathered it was likely close to 2:00 a.m.
After getting back to sleep again, his Lab draw bounded in the room and turned on all the lights at 3:00 am.

I was lucky I guess because the next time I saw anybody was 6:00 am for another Blood draw for him.  Nothing for me today.  "Yay".  Needless to say I am wide awake but very tired today after not sleeping a whole lot. 

Last night when my nurse was in at 9:00 p.m. she said if I was awake in the middle of the night I should go for a walk.  I don't think I have ever done this before in my life but last night I ended up taking two walks in the middle of the night.  My nurse must have been on break both times since she said she didn't see me either time.

I would really appreciate prayers that I have a considerable movement today to send me home with confidence of everything working properly.

--Kent

2 for 1 special

Nurse Leah Reporting for Duty.....

It is Saturday! Friday is behind us. We are very happy to report Kent is doing very well.  This morning he is awake and for the most part controlling pain well.  At the moment he has an epidural for pain, a Tylenol drip,and fluids. He has been rating pain at a 5 this morning.

 Kent has basically had two surgeries in one yesterday... The liver surgeon did do an ultrasound of the liver and found one spot and he used the word "microwaved" it, he also found the original liver resection site showed some scar tissue but had little to no concern at this point. The colon surgeon then came along side and did his part , he removed about a foot of colon not all tumor.  The size of the tumor was 5 cm circumference by 2 in long.  The surgeon said that lymph nodes and surrounding colon looked great.  Kent has a HUGE incision. Kent was able to not have to have a colostomy bag( a huge answer to prayer!)
Kent has been told that he may be on clear liquids, and that gravity will help move things along.  So walking was important.  Two general surgeons came in this morning looked at the incision and said it was looking great.  They also asked Kent how he was doing and his overall response was good.

I did stay the night last night but not in Kent's room. :( We had a 2 for 1 special ) Kent had a male room mate and so I was offered an alternative option.  Our very dear friend has called the 7 floor "home" off and on for roughly  60 days now due to some complications with her battle with cancer.  She graciously offered her couch as a resting spot for my tired eyes.  I was so grateful to her and pray so much for her return to health. We are also 2nd on the list for a private rm.  Here's hoping.

This morning Kent and I are sitting watching TV together and talking about the last days events.  He is a little fuzzy on some things and likes the reassurance of what in fact was done to him.  Kent gets very tired often and for the most part doesn't have a problem sleeping.  Last night they did give him some benadryl so that he could stay asleep longer periods of time.

I want you all to know I am soooo proud of him.  In the last year he went from hating Doctors to embracing each word of advice they have to say concerning his cancer.  He really has been a trooper.  In this whole journey I have seen him grow in knowledge and understanding for both those who struggle with cancer and those who are helping those with cancer.  We have always been there for each other in a health situation and I will stand by him encouraging him, for after all he has done the same for me.

Thank you to ALL YOU Prayer warriors! We couldn't do it without you.  Lastly thank you to our Awesome God for healing and restoring strength to Kent!

BIG WEEK!

FRIDAY!

Most people look forward to Friday.  This week the De Young family would just like to get  Friday the 22nd  over with.  It isn't that we want to skip it.   We want the cancer gone and hopefully Kent to live cancer free but this week Friday is the big surgery.  We are confident in our Heavenly Father, Confident in the Surgeons whom we believe to be christian, and confident in the power of prayer that we will be carried through this.

Kent and I are very anxious about this surgery. Kent for obvious reasons and I just because I have walked this road with my Dad and now again with Kent.  The 2 most important men in my life fighting so hard to be cancer-free.  I sometimes wish that I could take the pain for them. My heart aches when they are not well.

Many of you have asked me what is happening in this surgery and I will try to brief and not give to much TMI.   Kent will have 2 surgeons in his surgery.  The first will be the liver surgeon.  He will do a ultra sound right on the liver itself. He will then determine if the liver has "hot spots" on it and then do an ablation or "cutting away" of the tumor that remains in the liver.  Then he will pass the "torch" to the Colon Surgeon.  The colon surgeon will do a colon resection.  ie... Take out the tumor and then reconnect the two good parts of the colon.  We are hoping that he will not have to have a colostomy bag, but we will take each obstacle one step at a time .

We don't get to say it often but we would like to take a moment to thank so many of you.  Each in your own way you all have stepped along side of us , journeyed with us and loved us through good times and bad.  You all have made a difference in our life and we can't say enough what that means to us.

I would like to ask if I could for prayers for Kent and my Dad.  Both on a cancer journey, both needing love, strength and hope for a cure.  Both at times weak and no hope and other times feeling so much hope from all of you our friends and family.  Kent and Dad, your family loves you so much and want in whatever way to stand right next to you.  LOVE you both!  Leah

Between now and then

When I refer to this title there are a lot of this and that will happen between now and Feb 22 (or then.) 

Today and every Monday and Wednesday Lydia goes to Sylvan Learning, to give her a little academic boost.  Today is no different except we will go and have a monthly conference with her teacher(my cousin) The last time we heard how well she was doing with my cousin,  we were  so excited because between the last conference and this one Lydia has excelled so much.  When she started Sylvan she was a 3rd grader doing work as a 1st grader would do  --  to date, she is a 3rd grader doing work as if a 5th grader was doing the work.  We couldn't be more proud of her.  Her life as an 8 yr. old has been turned upside down when cancer entered in the picture and that accomplishment makes us as parent's so proud.  So we are excited to see how well she is doing now.

Even before the Sylvan Conference we are honored to have her Jenison Christian school conference. We will have this early by a week or so due to us having some schedule conflicts when conferences are.  I can't wait to hear how she is doing at this point in the school year.  Lydia has always been a great girl with a great personality.  We are proud of her and can't wait to hear how this Blondie , blue eyed girl is doing. 

Then of course we have Valentine's day, and the many things that go along with this holiday.  Lydia has already addressed her important cards,( maybe I could get her to do mine as well.  All my preschoolers need a little something sweet as well :0) )  Then this week Sunday or the following my mom always makes a Valentine Dinner invites all of us kids , grand kids and my Dad to celebrate.  She does this by  buying a little something special for each of us and then goes around and tells us why she loves us and how proud of us she is.  This year no different than any other I will have my Kleenex's on hand and a hug for her as she is and has shared in the meal her talent, showed us her love and cared for us all as she does so well every day of every year.  We love her for it. 

Then, we get to Surgery week.  The 22nd of February is the big day.  Kent is a little nervous.  He is scared of the unknown and the care after is a little scary to me as well.  The last surgery,  they worked on the liver, this surgery, they will focus on a Colon resection and the colon surgeon and the liver surgeon will work together.  The Liver surgeon will go first and he will do an ultra sound right on the liver to make sure there are not any more tumors and see about removing by ablation.  At this point Kent only has the left lobe of his liver and it has grown to a healthy size to have work on it.  Then the Colon Surgeon will come in and work at removing the tumor in the Colon. Kent had a colonoscopy back in May and when they did this they tattooed the tumor,  so the Surgeon will know exactly where and then remove.   They will hopefully remove with the hope that they will not have to put in a colostomy bag.  If you need to know how to pray please pray he doesn't need a colostomy bag.    The Surgeons have both told us they work well together and we are very grateful for the medical team we have. 

So between now and then here is what you can do!   PRAY!   PRAY, that the surgeons will have the best possible success in taking all that cancer out! PRAY that Kent will feel peace, PRAY that his nerves will be calm until then. PRAY that the prep before surgery goes well, PRAY that his family as they stand next to him will be the best support they can be.  In return we will PRAY for each of you as you walk your own struggles.   Lastly My PRAYER is That each person with cancer, that walks in my path will someday be CANCER FREE !