Hello everyone! Forgive me for not posting an update sooner. Summer seems to be in full swing at our house and we've been back and forth to the cottage already enjoying some great family time!
Last Wednesday, July 28th, Ben completed his 20th round of chemotherapy. I am still in awe of just how many treatments he has received and how well he has tolerated them, considering. On the 28th we met with Ben's oncologist who had been away at his previous appointment so we were anxious to meet with her. Over the past month Ben has been experiencing increasing pain and discomfort in his knees and lower back. There are days where he can't walk from room and room and complains of his legs being sore and tired and aching even though he hasn't done anything physically to generate this. We've also noticed some deterioration in his well being. When Ben mentioned this to his doctor she did a little exam on him and has opted to send him for further tests. Ben will be heading in for his regular CT scan to see how his chemotherapy treatments are working, an MRI on his back and a bone scan. In the mean time, his doctor has increased his pain meds which seems to be really helping. Ben also did blood work to evaluate his CEA levels, (carcinoembryonic antigen) which is a protein found in the blood that is increased with cancer such as colon cancer. The results came back showing that his CAE levels have gone down, which was positive news for us! (we will take anything at this point). For now we wait for these scans to take place and for the results to come in. This is yet another lesson in patience and putting full faith in God.
While we keep trucking along this life with cancer, we are fortunate to be able to escape our everyday lives and spend most of our summer up at our new family cottage. At the beginning of June my parents purchased a cottage on Whitestone Lake, just passed Parry Sound. What a wonderful place to spend time with the kids! We are so thankful to have this place to go. When we are there we quickly forget about the stressors of everyday life and everything seems to slow down and life just seems GOOD. Ben has also really benefited from the northern air. We recently spent a week away with my sister and some of our closest friends where I saw a huge improvement in Ben's everyday health. His energy levels, leg pain, nausea, and fatigue seemed to have subsided substantially! Ben keeps joking that he may just move up there for the summer. I'm almost inclined to let him,... ALMOST! (hehe) It brings me pure joy to watch Ben live his life like he isn't even living with cancer! and at the end of the day, that's what's most important. Below are a few pictures from our time at the cottage so far this summer.
I wanted to post and extend a thank you to those who continuously check in with either Ben or I. With 1 year of cancer under out belts, its easy for others to move on with their own lives, and we don't blame people for doing so! Our reality is that we are still faced with his daily, whether it be physically or mentally. I want to thank those who have not left our side and who continue to walk this road with us by sending constant text messages, e-mails, phone calls, dinners, cards in the mail, etc., even if you don't see us that often. Ben and I are two people who really rely on our friends and family to carry us and to encourage us through this. So, thank you for sticking with us! Thank you for loving us and supporting us! It does not go unnoticed!
I guess I will end this blog post off with a prayer request for Ben's upcoming tests, that they show improvement rather than increased disease. Pray for the aches and pains in his knees and back, that they subside and that Ben can continue to enjoy the time up at the cottage with his girls! I pray daily for my husband and something tells me God is not done with us yet!
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31
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| This girl is pro already! |
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| Off to get some ice cream! |
Bless you and will keep your family in prayer
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