Hope everyone had a great Christmas

I cant believe the end of 2008 is upon us. It seems like just the other day we were saying hello to 2007. This year has brought a few new challenges to Brenda and I, most notably, Cancer... I would have never believed that I would have a blog about me having cancer. My oh my, how times have changed.....

This year Brenda spoiled me rotten, just like I do her. She added to my collection of watches with a Tissot T-Race and a back up camera for my F250. I am so blessed with such a wonderful God fearing wife.

After my little incident at Carolina Motorsport Park at my last track day, I had a bit of repair to do to my R1 track bike. I installed a full set of race glass with stock decals and a few custom ones. I think it turned out rather well.




I hope everyone has a great New Year. As always never give up the faith my fellow fighters. We pray for you each and every day!

Believe,

Kevin

Well I wanted to use my DX as a witness to others...

Since my DX in August, I have always wanted to use what has happen to Brenda and I for the glory of God. I have talked to many folks both in person and over the net about what God has blessed us with over the years.

This week, I met with the Oncologist to see about resuming my chemo treatments. Since I am still open, down to 3cm long, 2.5co wide and I did not get the depth measurment today but improvong everyday, chemo has been pushed back into January. I may be allowed to start an oral pill but no Avastin till maybe February.

At the Onc's office I met a lady in her mid 40's who has Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. We began a conversation on our stories of the last few months. I was telling her how good God had been to Brenda and I. We talked about me playing softball and ministering with Crossfire for the last 6 years or so, motorcycle riding and all aspects of life in general.

And then the door was opened...she asked me why do I think I have cancer....... Just what I needed to hear. As I talked about the Faith provided by my Savior, I watched as she listned intently. Just as I was about to ask her if she had ever asked Jesus into her heart....she was called to her room.

I should have been bolder and asked the nurse for a few more minutes. Lord, I ask and pray you have put a task in front of me, I did not complete the task. I pray that you will water the seed you allowed me to plant. Lord, if you see fit to allow our paths to cross again, please give me the words I need to say.....

And Tuesday, a good friend of mine called and asked me give my testimony at their church the Sunday before New Years Day. I have prayed for doors to open and God is answering those prayers. I covet your help in praying for this lady I met at the Onc's office and for my speaking at a new church in a few weeks.

For those that have know and heard me witness on the ball field, you guys know I am more comfy in a dirty ball uniform infront of 30+ softball players. This will be a new experience for me and I pray for God's strength and the right words to say.

I am not embarresed to say......I am a CHRISTIAN. I am so thankful to this day for what God has allowed me to do and most importantly, what He is going to allow me to do in the coming years.

On the answered prayer front.........

When we met the Doc on Monday, my last CT scan when my infection was found was compared to my scan from several months back. Being off chemo for over 2 months, I was worried about the lesions getting larger or spreading in my liver. Doc said there was no groth and the same amount of spots.....Glory be to God!

Anudder answered prayer....

Jessica, a friend from church, mid 20's DX with Non Hodgkins in February 2007, recieved a clear PET scan. All evidence of a large mass in her chest...GONE!!!!!!

To my friends and fighters, prayers from our house to yours!

Believe,

Kevin

Still nothing much new....

I hope you all are doing well and thanks for dropping by and leaving comments. Still nothing much new on the healing front. I am still on the wound vac and my incision site is down to 4cm long, 3cm wide and 2cm deep. I have developed a hernia in the wound, a mild one with NO pain. I did check with my surgeon and he said nothing needs to be done at this time, thank you Jesus.

I am still feeling efects from chemo, I think. Even though it has beed almost 2 months since my 2nd treatment, I am experiencing extreme fatigue with no warning. I have had some trouble sleeping, but I am about to get back to normal. I am still felling "chemo brain"....for those that know, you understand, lol. I am so ready to continue my treatments.....

Last night, Brenda and I ventured out to Greenville, Sc to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra. As usual the show was outstanding and Brenda said her ears were ringing most of the day.....it wasnt that loud, lol. we did have front row seats and it was great seeing some great guitar work with some awsome singing. I did catch a drum stick and a guitar pick...

I hope my friend you are ready for Christmas. We have put up our tree, and wrapped gifts galore. The biggest gift? Jesus dying for our sins. Do you know him? Have you asked him into your heart? I hope and pray so.

I hope my fellow fighters that your treatments are going well. Keep the faith and I pray for you all each and every day!

Believe,

Kevin

Hope all my friends are doing well....

Nothing much to update. I am still on the wound vac and will be for at least another week or so. Maybe by Christmas I can finally be un-hooked for good from this thing. The good news...my incision started as 11cm long, 8cm wide and 11cm deep is now 7cm long, 4cm wide and 4cm deep. God is good to allow me to heal this fast.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Brenda, her mom and sister tore up every mall and outlet center between Asheville, Charlotte and Greenville. Austin, my nephew and I went to Carolina Motorsport Park for a little motorcycle track action. We detoured a bit to drop in on my uncle Jerrey in Lexington. It was my first time back on the race track since Road Atlanta in the Spring. I did have a little lowside on Saturday in oil, coolant or sand in turn 2. Nothing major and I am thankful I was able to walk away and ride for the rest of the day.

On the way home on Sunday, we stopped at my brothers house for lunch. It was great spending some time with my family that I do not get to see very often.

On Monday I had a tooth pulled. For the last few years we have been fighting to keep tooth 31, lower right back molar, after 2 root canals and 2 crowns...it had finally had enough. After some pain meds on Monday afternoon, I did very well and feel fine right now.

As well look outside, the weather is changing, most all leaves have fallen and Winter is just around the corner. Christmas is coming. Take time always to remember the Reason for the Season, I know we are all swamped with things to do this time of year, I can relate, but without my savior Jesus Christ, Christmas would not exhist. Is he your Savior? If you died right now, do you know where you will spend eternity?

I hope all my fellow fighters and survivors are doing well. I do ask that you remember Michele, she had a rough time with chemo this week, round 6 for her. Susie took her last chemo on Friday, I hope and pray as you start radiation that your body continues to heal and rid itself of this terriable beast.

Believe,

Kevin

The road to chemo.....Again...

I am on the road to recovery so I can start chemo again. The wound in my abdomen started over 10cm deep....after todays visit, down to 5cm deep. It is amazing watching new skin develop. It is about 7cm long and 5cm wide...thank you Jesus for helping me to heal.

I was scheduled to originally have my 4th chemo treatment today. I stopped by the cancer center today to visit a couple of friends I have met. Toby was there with his wife Susie, she is on her next to last chemo treatment. She is an inspiration to me, staying strong throughout her treatment. Please say a prayer for her, Toby her husband will be having a quad bypass next Friday.

As we approach Thanksgiving, take a moment to reflect on what you are thankful for..... Me you ask? I am thankful most of all for Jesus saving my soul, right behind that my health. Again I said HEALTH. God still has a master plan for me and I am excited about what he has in store for me. I am thankful for my best friend, my confidant, my wife that I love dearly. There are SO many things God has done for us.....

This week has been better for me. I still have my days, but they are getting fewer and far between. I am just ready to get back on my treatment paln and put this phase in my behind me and my wife.

Thanks for stopping by!

Believe,

Kevin

Would you look at the size of the hole in my abdomen?

Yes it is official, my alter ego is a kangaroo. I have a "pouch" in my abdomen. No really I do. My surgery last week found a deep infection right on top of my stomach. I was opened back up the entire length of the original incision. Back to square one so to speak.

At the wound center last Thursday, my wound vac was ordered. After many phone calls to my insurance carrier, they have finally agreed to cover the vac but at the out of network rate. Gotta love them, lol. I orginally thought that the vac was at the wound center, wrong, it was shipped to me and arrived yesterday. I go today to have my next attachment installed that I get to carry around for the next 4 to 6 weeks.

I do not go back to Cancer care until December 17th for a review of the healing and hopefully the return to my treatment. Actually, last Friday, I missed going to chemo. Brenda and I have made some friends that we laugh, cut up and even cry with. They share the same battle for their lives as we do.

This week has been really tough for me on an emotional level. Lots of thoughts enter my mind that havent been there at all since this ordeal has started. Dont get me wrong, I still BELIEVE with all my heart that I am going to beat this disease, sometimes the human side focuses on the negative and "what ifs". I try my best to stay positive all the time.

I know God is real and still has a master plan for this trial. I have no idea why I am having to basicially start over in my treatment plan. But I know the one that does know. I hope and pray every day for my friends and fighters that are battling this disease, Susie, Michele, Diane, Rob and many others. No matter what the odds are, NEVER, EVER give up the fight!

Believe,

Kevin

Gotta love infections.

Yep, infections. It seems I have been taping gauze over my incision site for a year. Well it has been over 2 months. Yards of tape and piles of gauze, stop the insanity!

With the results of last weeks CT scan, my surgeon wanted to see me yesterday. Evidently there was a pocket of infection deep within my right side abdomen. I was now faced with a choice......wait out the healing or an out patient surgery to clean out the junk...Hummmm tough choice...

Needless to say, it was back to the OR today for a short procedure. Rolled into the OR room at 3:30pm and rolled out at 4:10pm. The sad part, I was there from 12 noon to after 5:30pm. An incision was made following my surgery incision from August 20th. I cannot tell exactly how long, it is still covered. My abdomed was "scraped" out so to speak and packed with antibiotics. I go on Thursday to the wound center to have a wound vac installed. It will pump out all the puss from inside to speed healing.

Chemo has officially been put on hold until I am fully healed. I am not upset at all, just a little frustrated. I still keep telling myself that God has a Master plan and He KNOWS 100% what HE is doing.....

My faith is still strong and I still have that wonderful peace in my heart. Brenda and I are doing well, I know it is so hard for her to see me in the constant condition of getting cut, poked, prodded, etc. I can not imagine what that feels like. Please keep Brenda in your prayers, she is my strength in this world and I love my wife.

I have cancelled the Barber track day for next weekend to allow my abdomen to heal. Track days require alot of moving from side to side and the more time I have to get better, the sooner I can be back up to speed. I did sign up for a 2 day event at Carolina Motorsport Park the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. I should be ready to go by then. CMP is located close to my brothers place and I will be dropping by. Love to see some of my family at the track as well...hint, hint....

Keep up the FIGHT my fellow SURVIVORS!

Believe,

Kevin