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! :)

Meeting the family!

What an awesome getaway!  Kevin and I went over to Dads house to spend a few days with him, his wife Kim and my sweet sweet Grama.  The weather was beautiful and the food was overwhelming! :) 

We got there really late Friday night so got to visit for a little bit. Saturday we took a drive around the area and it was so beautiful!  I thought Colorado was gorgeous!?

Kim made us Smamut...now if you aren't familiar with Norwegians or my family in general you won't have a clue what that is.  Basically a side pork soup with dumplings....I was in heaven. 

Sunday...well we won't talk about the first part of the day (football game, what football game??).  My Dad is really famous for deep frying turkeys so when we got to town and heard there was no turkey frying planned...I asked him with a bat of the eyes if he would reconsider.  He was stoked!  I guess everyone there is tired of fried turkey so he had to pack his frying stuff away...until we got there.  That will be our next purchase so we can start a tradition here also. 

Dad later dug out a helicopter that my sister and I gave him a couple years ago...holy! They were like little boys and it was sooo much fun to watch!!!

Our visit was drawing to an end so we decided to take a bunch of family photos to remember the visit.  Speaking of remembering, those of you that know my Grama and her state, will be happy to know she did really good while we were there! She was able to remember Kevin's name (although she thought he was my husband) and she knew we were there the whole time!  He also taught her how to play a puzzle game on his iPad.

A HUGE thank you to Gramma Kim for watching lil Noell!  They have such a cute relationship...you would think Noell is human.  We say "want to spend the weekend with Gramma" and she completely freaks out!   We love and appreciate you so so so much Kim!! 

We go in next week to get some of Kevins test results back and find out what holistic approaches can be started.  Please keep him in your prayers as we step into this new field...its a whole new world with a whole lot of possibilities!!

Love, Us! :)

THRIVE

CANCER SURVIVOR: You are a survivor from the day of diagnosis.  You must do the thing you think you can not do.

We spent the day Saturday at an amazing event called THRIVE, put on by Swedish Medical Center. We met many cancer survivors and caregivers. Five cancer survivors shared their  amazing stories of surviving AND thriving! Oncologists from Swedish Medical Center spoke about new advances in cancer detection and therapies.  We participated in yoga and guided meditation demonstrations, and learned about nutrition and super foods. It was an emotional day to say the least but Kim and I were so happy that Kevin wanted to go to this event.  To be in a room full of cancer survivors and their families was an amazing step.  It is empowering to see others, many of whom are the same age as Kevin, thriving, despite their diagnosis. Many of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another. On Saturday we learned that not only do cancer survivors survive but they THRIVE!

Kevin's neuro-oncologist was one of the speakers. It was good to hear his perspective and his speech gave us insight to what he thinks and feels as a physician.  Here is a poem he wrote. For those of us never having been diagnosed, it rang loud throughout the crowd.
Picture the patient's stress on MRI day. Immediately following the MRI they sit in the doctor's office, on a bench, behind the doctor, looking at the computer images of the MRI.
I hope you are able to read this. The picture was taken on my phone. I made it extra large so it would come through clearer.

There was an amazing young woman who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at age 24. Here is something she shared with us and I wanted to share it here also.  Whether you know someone with cancer, have cancer or stumble upon it in your lifetime...please keep this list in mind.  We are always open to gifts as well!  :)

We all felt so good when we left there Saturday...not only were our hearts uplifted we got onto the main road to this...

Sunday was a fun day with friends and neighbors helping Kevin work on his truck and watching the Broncos...I kinda feel sorry for Raider fans, NOT! :)

Monday was quite the day! We were on our way to Boulder to see his holistic doctor...cruising west on Highway 7, about a mile west of I25 (the wind was seriously out of control).  Kevin mentioned how strange the clouds looked and as I was watching the sky, all of a sudden a mini tornado appeared in the field to our right. (maybe I am a bit dramatic but it was for real)  Debris, garbage and dust were swirling around...I immediately put my head into my hands as if taking cover when off the side of the road a huge road construction sign came blowing towards us and hit the truck!  RIGHT BESIDE ME!! It hit the right front fender, took the right side mirror off and scratched the whole passenger side of the truck.  Crazy??  Yes, but we are so grateful we were not in my car...things could have been so much worse. 

I believe this is God's way of saying it's not Kevin's time yet. Amen to that! God is good, always!

We are so blessed with all the donations to the gofundme account and want to thank everyone!  We are nowhere near our goal...holistic care is very expensive and it's a shame it isn't covered by insurance.  We took a large chunk out this week for some testing so we find ourselves in the humble position of reaching out for additional help. We hope you can find it in your hearts to assist us in reaching our goals. With the holidays right around the corner, we are thankful for anything you are able to give. 

Blessing to all.

Cheri, Kevin  and Kim