This is Cancer + Prayer for Upcoming CT Scan

Nov 3, 2016

Since I last posted Ben has completed round 8 and 9 of his chemotherapy treatments. I get to see first hand what chemotherapy does to him and what his body goes through. Since June 2016, when Ben was diagnosed, he has endured a lot of physical change.

I had stopped him one day and asked if I could take a picture of him without his shirt on to show just what he goes through on a weekly/daily basis. Of course his first response was to just look at me like I was crazy, I get that look a lot, but he agreed and thought it might be a good idea to show everyone what he goes through. He gets asked a lot if he can work and I'm sure you can see by the picture posted here, adding a physical laboured job to this would be pretty impossible at this point.

The picture here shows a few things. 1. The top left hand corner is his port, or port-a-cath. This device was surgically implanted. Looking at it you can see a clear bump under the skin. When Ben is not on chemotherapy he can easily swim and shower with this. The nurses puncture a needle through his skin into the port where a catheter connects to a large vein. You can actually seen the catheter line on Ben if you look closely (not seen in this picture) Connected to his port in the picture is the chemo bottle. The line goes down to his waist where he is wearing a blue waist band that holds the bottle of chemo. He wears this bottle from Wednesday to Friday every other week. Inside is a clear bottle which holds the chemo in what looks like a balloon. In our home we now have cytotoxic spill kits incase there is a chemo spill. (scary right?) Wednesday to Friday the chemo is slowly given to Ben. Friday afternoons, usually, he will visit CCAC to have the bottle disconnected. Once this is disconnected you only see the port from under his skin. No lines, tape or the blue bag or bottle. 2. The beige waist strap connects to his ostomy bag. The ileostomy procedure was done the first week Ben was diagnosed. (now 19 weeks ago!) The tumour in his colon was so big they had to perform this surgery to help him with bowel movements. It was also done to accelerate receiving treatment to his liver, which is priority number one right now. Ben has a cupboard in our kitchen designated to just the supplies he needs for the ostomy bag (and any other cancer related items) Because Ben is young and active he requires a bag change at least once a week. Supplies are very expensive but it is mandatory for him now. Changing the ostomy bag is simple, but comes with its own challenges. Just imagine cleaning up your own bowel movements and dealing with the oder and mishaps that may come along with it. Ben is very good at doing this now and is, in my opinion, pro! Showering does come with a few challenges and changing the adhesive is very painful but I never hear Ben complain about it. You're Amazing!!!!

Ben's Kitchen Cupboard 

Some of you may have never known what Ben hides beneath his shirt. It may surprise you to see. We wanted to share to show you want cancer looks like to us. Despite the physical changes he is going through, he has never been more handsome or sexier to me. The face of a warrior, a man in a fight every day to beat this awful disease. I love you so very much!

Ben has a CT scan booked for tomorrow, November 4th. This is to check for progress. Please continue to pray for healing and good results. Ben and I are both anxious about this. We ask for prayer to get us through the next few days as we wait for the results. We will keep you all posted with the results as we get them.





This week I had written down 4 questions I wanted Ben to answer for the blog. Here they are! Side note: please free to ask any questions or message me or e-mail me any you want to ask Ben. He's completely open to answering any questions you have for him.

1. How have you been feeling this week?
"This week started off rough but ended pretty good. I progressively felt better each day. The beginning of the week I had a lot of nausea."

2. What is the biggest change you have noticed since your diagnosis?
"I have had two major changes. One has been the physical aspect of it. It can be frustrating when your body can't do what it used to do and tires out quickly and the feeling of sickness from the chemotherapy. Second, the physiological aspect of shifting priorities. Things that seemed really important before the diagnosis don't seem nearly as important since the diagnosis and certain things, such as family time and meaningful interactions with people really became a bigger priority in my life."

3. What is your favourite thing about being home?
"My favourite thing about being home is the amount of time I get to spend with my daughters". 

4. What helps you get through each day? 
"Talking to God helps make the burdens and struggles more bearable. It helps me get through the tough times. Probably the main thing that drives me to get through each day is the thought of Brooke and Kendal and my ultimate desire to beat this so I can be here for them. The thought of what I wouldn't give for more time with my kids... I would give anything. The least I can do is fight as hard as I can." 


The last thing I leave off with is a bible verse from James. Our lifegroup has been studying the book of James this month and it has really struck a cord with Ben and I.