All kinds of updates

Trip #1, San Francisco 4/3/15
Easter weekend Kim, Kevin and I spent a few days in San Francisco.  They had never been there and I was ready to go back and check more out.  We had such a great time, it was definitely too short of a visit.  We got there late Friday morning, hopped on the double decker tour bus then ended the evening at a great lil sushi place.  Saturday we spent the after on Alcatraz Island...it was AWESOME!  Kevin really was loving seeing all the history, it was really interesting to take the tour.  I highly recommend it if you can get there.  We ended that evening at Fog Harbor for a very expensive and tastey meal, then walked to Ghiradelli for some chocolate!  Sunday we spent the day on the double decker tour bus, checking out the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito and all that San Francisco has to offer visually!

We got home and immediately dived into remodeling the town home, talk about busy!  Something I personally have been anticipating for over a year, so happy to get it going!

Trip #2 4/24-26
What an amazing weekend we had in Houston at the Together In Hope conference, put on by MD Anderson Cancer Center.  I personally was not sure what to expect or how any of us would feel by the end of the weekend.

Rather than go into detail about all the different things we learned, I will get to the important, significant part...we each formed relationships with other brain cancer patients, care givers, spouses, parents, etc, and that is priceless.  Up to this point Kevin didn't have anyone he could call that fully understands physically and emotionally what he is going through.  Kim didn't have anyone to call who really understands her thoughts, feelings, fears, etc and I didn't have anyone who really understands my perspective, thoughts, feelings and emotions.  Now I can say we each have people in our support circle who we can count on to help make our lives easier. 

4/29/2015

Kevin got an MRI on April 26 and the results were great! No new growth! No sign of new disease!

Most of us can only imagine the amount of anxiety surrounding an MRI that will tell you one of two things, you are either stable or you have new disease growth. It’s a little difficult to wrap your head around the fact that the best he will hear is there is no new growth. Wouldn’t it be great if instead, he heard “every bit of cancer and tumor is gone!” Kevin tries his best to not allow the stress to get the best of him before the MRI date and luckily he is able to get his results immediately. The doctor plans to reduce the frequency of the MRI’s to once every 3 months, as long as they remain stable through the end of September.  So there is a new goal to look forward to! In the meantime, Kevin is busy enjoying each and every day! He feels good and is gearing up for summer bike riding season. 

Spring has sprung!

We are just having fun day to day.  While I keep busy selling houses and working on my health coaching, Kevin keeps busy in his own way. He made a quick trip to Dallas to visit friends and pick up some things from his employer and he spends a lot of time with his brother doing the things they love to do. 

We had a fun evening at my annual awards party last weekend,  where we got to dress up and spend time with co-workers.

We are excited about a couple of weekend trips we have planned in April.  Kevin, his mother Kim, and I will spend a quick 48 hours in San Francisco. I have been patiently awaiting my 2nd trip there, but neither of them have been to San Francisco. We are going to have so much fun and it will be great to get away for a while.

Later in April, we take another long weekend in Houston, to attend a brain cancer conference at MD Anderson.  We are anxious to meet others and hear about the latest medical developments and research. Kevin can also meet with doctors to get a second opinion about future treatment.

We  want to thank everyone who has donated to our fund. In addition to helping meet co-payments, insurance premiums and deductibles, it is helping us get to the conference. We are so grateful!

Stay tuned for trip updates and adventures!

God Bless!

Cheri

MRI UPDATE!

Hi friends,

 

Great news !! Kevin had his routine MRI on Thursday, February 26. Happily, the result was that everything looks stable, with possibly some shrinkage of remaining tumor. The neuro-oncologist was very pleased and Kevin is relieved to put one more scan behind him.

I think it would be easy to fall into a cycle of depression after such a life altering experience as Kevin has been through in the past two years. As the two year cancerversary approaches, I reflect on the many changes he has endured, from the initial shock of diagnosis and brain surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, to quitting work and  moving back to his home state. He has missed old friends and made new friends and become accustomed to a new “normal”. Any one of these things alone, might have knocked him to his knees. While it would embarrass him to know this, I think Kevin has demonstrated a strength most of us would be unable or unwilling to continue doing, faced with these circumstances. He stays busy. He helps others. He shovels snow and fixes broken things and works on vehicles. He makes it easier for all of us to accept the bumps in the road which happen in each of our lives.

We have a couple of weekend trips planned and will be going to Houston in April to attend a conference for brain tumor patients and their families.  It looks like it will be very informative, as well as giving Kevin a chance to connect with other brain cancer patients. There are some long term survivors and we all want Kevin to join their club!!

As always, we appreciate your interest in Kevin’s story and your continued donations. Kevin will be getting COBRA insurance beginning soon and it will be considerably more expensive than what he has been paying. It will, however allow him to continue with the care he has been receiving and allow him to travel out of state for medical care if necessary. Both of which are critical at this point.

Until next time….

Kim (mom) 

“You beat cancer by how you live, Why you live

  And the manner in which you live."  -Stuart Scott

http://www.gofundme.com/holistic4kevin 

Checking in

Sorry I haven’t written in a while, but in this case no news is good news. We are moving steadily through each day. Kevin is feeling well but the weather (wind and occasional snow) has prevented us from getting out and doing some of our favorite activities. We spend time with friends, his brother and girlfriend and family as much as we can.  

Please know we will be keeping this blog updated as much as we can. 

Continued thoughts and prayers are appreciated. 

MRI update!!

Kevin had his routine MRI on Friday and we are thrilled to share that everything looks stable. There is no new progression of disease and the doctor even indicated there was some shrinkage of the original residual tumor. This was in comparison to the October, 2013 MRI. This is amazing news and we are so happy that the MRI confirmed what we already know-Kevin is a warrior! We are so grateful for his youth, his strength and his health, prior to the diagnosis, all of which play a part in Kevin’s ability to fight. Of course we are grateful for modern medicine and his great neuro-oncologist, who was willing to speak honestly and openly and throw everything but the kitchen sink at Kevin to help make this happen. It was a long and difficult year of chemo but this MRI makes it worthwhile.

Kevin’s blood counts continue to improve and he doesn’t see the neuro-oncologist again until February, when his next MRI is due.

We are soooo thankful for all your continued thoughts and prayers! We continue to move forward with some of the alternative treatment options. The naturopath recommended a few supplements and Kevin has on them. He continues to exercise and does his best to eat healthy meals.

All in all, the past few days have been great.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love,  us 

Merry Christmas!!

We just wanted to pop in and say thank you for following!  Nothing new is going on with us lately. We’ve just been really busy getting ready for the holidays.  Shopping, baking, cleaning, etc...you all know how it is!

  

 We decorated and thoroughly enjoy the animals new outfits, although they don't appreciate it! :)

My prayer for everyone is to not forget what is important this time of year...Jesus is the reason for the season.  I keep seeing on the news how gifts and packages are being stolen. How sad!   Be close with your families, as close as you can with miles in between...love one another. 

Thank you so much to an anonymous donor...they wish to remain unnamed but they donated $3000 towards our holistic/medical treatments.  AMAZING things can be done with that.  Thank you!!!!!

Kevin goes in for his 2nd post chemo MRI this Friday, the 26^th.  We ask that you all say a prayer that things are stable.  It’s an anxious time for all of us, leading up to each MRI. Prayers and thoughts are really appreciated.  We will keep you updated of the results. So please stay tuned.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
LOVE US! :)

Thankfulness

Went to the holistic doctor last week to find out some  test results and it was really interesting.  Not necessarily cancer related BUT some preventative stuff to work on towards the future. There is a lot of information that I am not sure how to portray here so we will leave it with, it was money well spent for that appointment, thank you for your donations!

Kevin wrote a poem last week, that really woke me up to his feelings...he wanted me to share it on here:

                          A pawn can take down a king!!

                          Kinda like the beginning of a little sickness...

                          It could and would if you let it!

                          Back to learning!

                          Never feel like you're becoming dumb.

                          Start from square one and continue to no limit.

                         Learn and have fun with it!

                         Use your drive to thrive for commitment!

                         Use Gods path for adventures!  He's by your side for all, to prevent your fall.

                        Use every minute as valued time!

                        Time was not meant to rhyme.

                        Time was made for a journey of a good life time!

We received an awesome gift...HELICOPTERS!  Thank you thank you thank you!  Kevin was beside himself...as any man would be with a new toy like that.

With the holiday season in full swing, I want to take a minute to share what I am thankful for.  I heard last weekend that an old dear friend of mine lost her baby sister in a car accident.  She was at no fault, hit by a drunk driver...so devastating.  The thoughts and feelings the family must be feeling is so overwhelming, I can't imagine.  I am thankful  she has a relationship with God and she can keep her family centered and strong.  I am thankful to have love in my life and to have 2 special people to share Thanksgiving with.  I am thankful for resources to keep hope in Kevins heart and that there are tools out there to help him.  I am thankful for family and friends and NEVER taking any of them for granted.  Most of all, I am thankful for Jesus...without his love and acceptance I don't know where I would be today.

We had such a beautiful dinner, cooked all day for a 20 minute meal...I've never understood that.  But Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday so that is the tradition.  Kevin carved his first turkey...what!!!  I couldn't believe it was his first time.  Noell even got to enjoy the food!

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please remember during this holiday season what is important...life. :)

Love Us! :)