Joe and I know how many people who have never even met Mandy and Wes are already praying earnestly for healing and strength, and we thank you for that! Take a minute and read Mandy's post, or check it out over at their new blog...
This week has been one that we were not expecting (to say the least.) We are so overwhelmed and grateful for the tremendous support we have had from our family and friends over the last week. Thank you for each text, phone call and email.
It all started a couple of weeks ago when Wesley got sick. We took him to the doctor and were told he had an infection and were send home with some meds. He got better and over New Years he even helped do some work with our brother in law and Mandy's dad. Soon afterward, last Sunday (Jan. 6) Wes started going downhill pretty fast. We went back into the hospital late Sunday night, not knowing how much our lives were about to change.
By early Monday morning we were told that Wes would need surgery to remove a mass in his colon. That day (Jan 7) Wes had surgery and they removed essentially his entire colon (to remove the mass and some surrounding tissue). He did NOT have to have a colostomy (big praise!) Upon recovering from surgery the doctors told us that they treated the surgery like a "cancer removal" and got a bunch of surrounding tissue with the mass to send off for tests. So we started the waiting and recovering from the surgery.
Wednesday the doctors came in with news. Wesley was diagnosed with Stage 2 cancer. We didn't get a ton of information, other than he would need to meet with an oncologist when he was discharged from the hospital to talk about treatment. Thursday and Friday were a roller coaster of emotions, but we are so thankful for continued prayer and support! Wesley got to see his fur baby Stella and that brightened the day!
Saturday began talks of potentially going home on Sunday, and finally Sunday morning he was released!
Yesterday afternoon he spent lots of time resting and relaxing... enjoying the outdoors and warm temperatures. Later in the evening we moved into our new temporary home while he recovers. Our parent's wonderful neighbors and great friends have invited us to stay with them so that we can rest and relax and be near family. This is also a huge praise and thanks!
So while we don't have a lot of information at the moment and our heads and hearts are still heavy...we have a big to do list including:
*Follow up with surgeon next week
*See oncologist after that
*Surgeons said surgery was curative but will still potentially have chemotherapy because he is so young (age 24). If so, thiswon’t start until 6 weeks from now.
*Staying with Mr Roy and Mrs Nancy for a week or so-close to family.
Whew! Lots to do and wrap our minds/hearts around!
Again, thank you so very much for your outpouring of love, prayers, and support. We are amazed by our friends and family and are so grateful.
Specific prayer requests:
*for a healing miracle!
*strength (emotionally, physically, and spiritually)
*for God's will to be shown, and for God to be lifted high in all of this!
We'll try to keep updates coming as much as possible! Love you all!
-Mandy and Wesley
I don't know you at all but I saw your story off of Laurie Keesey's FB. I was drawn to read your story. I just want to encourage you becasue we have been there too. 14 yrs ago, my husband (38 yrs)had a mole removed and within a week they had us in the office. It was a stage 4 melanoma (stage 5 is too late). Talk of cancer, oncologists, treatments, etc,etc. - blew our minds! Just shocked, fear and many many things going through our minds. We had 4 kids and I was pregnant with a 5th. Satan played many mind games with me and I finally just had to start rebuking him. Each and every time I had bad, scary thoughts I had to say (sometimes out loud) "satan get away from me- I will not listen to you or live in fear of what may lie ahead. So beware, he will mess with you. Just rebuke him and look to God for help, comfort, strength & encouragement. Don't live in fear of what might happen,what you might have to go through and deal with or what your future might look like. Take each day and deal with that.Cross each path as they come and some of them won't come. Some things you won't have to deal with so don't worry over things that you might not even have to go through. Praise God for his healing!!! My husband is a survivor and there have been no more issues since that time! I will pray the same for you two. Hang in there!
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