Round 7 & Janzen Family Update

September 30, 2016

It has been far too long since I have made a blog post and to that end I apologize! There has been a lot going on in our lives let me tell you! There is never a dull moment at the Janzen home.

Two weeks ago, September 14^th, Ben completed round 6 of his chemotherapy. We went into chemo feeling pretty good. Matter of fact the week following he was doing really well. He took it easy at home to prep for his weekend away with the guys. As some of you might have seen, Ben was able to escape with his friends and head to Lake Nipissing on a fishing trip. I was so glad that he was able to take this time with his friends. He prepped for this trip for the entire week leading up and you could see the excitement in his eyes when you talked to him about it. As the concerned wife, I was worried about him going and “over doing it”, but I turned my worries into prayers and wished him luck as he left for his trip! Much to say he enjoyed his time immensely. He took some great photos (which you can see here) and wished he could stay longer. One of my favourite photos taken from their weekend away was the group shot. I love that we have special bonds and friendships with some amazing people! I say that a lot, but it’s TRUE!

The girls and I greeted Ben home after his 4 day adventure and let me tell you, the girls were over the moon to see their daddy. They would wake up daily asking for “da-da” (Kendal) or as Brooke would put it, “mommy,… daddy has been gone for a long day…” I had a bit of anxiety with Ben being away, sometimes my mind heads into the wrong direction with, “what ifs…” but I prepped for his time away and prayed about it when I felt overwhelmed with anxiety. Nevertheless, when he walked in the door he had three very happy girls! I could tell Ben was exhausted though. And it worried me. He crashed pretty hard coming home. The next few days he spent really taking it easy and in bed. He walked around the house very slowly and wasn’t feeling great at all. The problem was that his chemo was that Wednesday, round 7, and he already wasn’t feeling good. Going into chemo treatment not feeling well can only be described as a diaster waiting to happen. But, he persevered and went on with round 7. In the chemo chair you could tell Ben was not well. He is usually the kind of patient who jokes around with the nurses and smiles, even despite the circumstances, but Ben was tired and lethargic.  I worried a lot. I continue to worry a lot. My anxiety this week has been high and I’ve had a lot on my plate and adding the anxiety of wondering why he isn’t doing well has been hard. I sit in prayer for my husband and ask God to help him get through this. I know He hears my cries. I know we will get through this.   

Last week we received a phone call from Ben’s oncologist letting us know that a referral has been put into place for him to go to Sunnybrook in Toronto. They want to insert what they call a Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump. This is basically a device that is surgically implanted and about 95% of the chemotherapy that is directed through this pump will stay in the liver. This would be in addition to his current chemotherapy at St. Catharines. The idea is to really kill the cancer in his liver so that Ben can become a candidate for liver surgery, as right now he does not qualify because there is too much cancer in the liver. I feel some hope with this! We are thankful that the doctors are doing everything that they can for Ben! Click here for more information on this.

We don’t have too much more information at this time. We are awaiting the appointment at Sunnybrook. At that time I will post more and keep everyone in the loop. I’m praying this will be successful for Ben!

Aside from all the things mentioned above, we have had a really great week at home with the girls. Brooke was presented the “shining star” award at school. This made Ben and I extremely proud of her. We are so happy to hear that she is becoming a great role model for her classmates. Brooke also started skating this week. The plan was for daddy to get out on the ice with her before she actually started her lessons, but due to time and him not feeling well we had to put her on the ice without her ever being on the ice and wish her luck! And you know what? She did AWESOME! Ben and I sat in the stands with huge smiles on our faces as we watched her shimmy forward and side to side. If she fell, she got up all by herself with a huge smile on her face. She even told Ben, “If I fall, I will get up and try again”… and that you did Miss. Brooke! We can’t wait to watch her flourish! Way to go hunny!! (pictures are below)

As we enter the month of October, I look forward to watching the leaves change colour. Time is going by fast, and sometimes it scares me but I am encouraged to take each day as it comes head on and with a positive attitude. Our God continues to bless us in more ways than we could ever imagine and for that I am beyond grateful.

Car Wash!

I'm not sure how to even start off this blog post. Saying Thank You just doesn't seem like enough! Ben and I are completely overwhelmed by the outpour from our friends, family and community for the car wash fundraiser that went on today to support our family during this time. We were able to visit each location today and watching our community of friends and family volunteer for us today was unbelievable! Some even washing cars in the pouring rain! You guys are amazing!!!! Washing, drying, cleaning the interior of cars, a full bake sale, those standing in the rain with signs to promote the car wash.... I can't believe everyone was doing all of that for US. I look at the pictures below and think, "God... you really are amazing." I have tears in my eyes when I think of how blessed are we to have every single one of you in our lives. We certainly don't feel alone in this walk with cancer. A big thank you to Southridge Church in Vineland and St. Catharines and Cornerstone Church  in Virgil for allowing us to use their parking lots! Thank you to everyone who brought their cars out, even in the rain! and participated today. It was great seeing some of you! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

                                                        ^ Vineland location hard at work!

                                                       ^ Matt, Ben and Jerry (Vineland location)

                 ^  The beautiful signs made by Shawn Reimer at Reimer Graphics. Thank You!

                                                           ^  St. Catharines Southridge Crew!

                                                    ^ St. Catharines crew working in the rain!

                                                ^  Virgil location scrubbing away!

                ^ A steady line of cars in Virgil.... Was so incredible to see the outpour of support!

                                                                   ^ Way to go guys!

                                           ^ Milo enjoying a cupcake from the bake sale!

                                       ^ These girls working hard to clean interiors! Awesome!

^ I think everyone felt the same way after a full morning of car washing ;) Enjoy your naps guys. 

^ All the baked goods made by the wonderful woman at Cornerstone Church in Virgil. 

Welcome September! - Ben's CT Results

It’s SEPTEMBER! As much as I don’t want to wish my days away, I am happy to be entering the fall season. I love the colours, the weather and the clean crisp air that comes along with fall. There is something relaxing just thinking about it. I hope all the kids had a great start back to school! I love seeing everyone’s “first day” pictures on Facebook. This year was extra special in the Janzen house for two reasons. 1. Brooke went off to JK! First year of full day school. Yippie! And 2. Mommy AND daddy got to walk to her school. While I thought I may tear up because my first baby is going off to school, tears actually filled my eyes as I watched Ben walk Brooke to school for the first time. I guess the positive side of Ben being off work right now is him being able to participate in these special memory making activities. We are SO glad daddy is able to join us!    

This past week we got the results to Ben’s CT scan. We finally got our first bit of good news since June. The CT scan showed that the cancer lesions on Ben’s liver are indeed shrinking, which means the chemo is doing its job right now. We met with Ben's oncologist and the plan is this: continue chemo bi-weekly for another 2 months and repeat the CT scan after the 2 months. If the CT scan shows that the lesions have shrunk further, the doctor will present Ben's cause to a surgeon to see if he qualifies for liver surgery. Basically they would go in and remove parts of the liver that show remaining cancer lesions and allow the liver to regenerate, then go back in and remove the other side that is effected and allow that to regenerate. Ideally this surgery could "cure" Ben. It is a very risky procedure and comes with it's own challenges. Right now we aren't thinking about those challenges, but instead we praise God for the great news we have just been given that the lesions are shrinking and Ben has been feeling pretty good! His doctor was very happy to see these results. We know the path will be long but we will take the good news as it comes! If this isn't an answer to prayer, I don't know what is. So THANK YOU to everyone rooting on and praying for Ben. We truly believe in the power of prayer!

Ben has definitely bounced back from his chemo treatments the past two rounds. He's able to get up and go fishing with his buddies, do some yard work, put up some crown moulding AND even managed to hang Brooke's new bedroom door (there are still a few things around the house we need to finish from our home renovations) When he needs to break, he listens to his body and does so. Otherwise, he's been doing really, really well! Those who see him usually are pretty shocked to see how well he looks. Go Ben!

As we enter a new month and season, I am reminded how thankful I am for the blessings poured out to us. I sit and plan Thanksgiving with my family at our new house this year (those who know me know how I plan!) and I can't help but feel so happy to have my family over in our new house to celebrate all the things we are thankful for. Although Thanksgiving is still a little ways away, I love the holidays and look forward to them! We have a lot of things to look forward to!