Pic Catch Up

It Finally Happened

Yesterday was infusion #3 in this Delayed Intensification phase for Dempsey. He handled it like a champ! So many answered prayers in that fact alone.

As we were driving down La Veta toward CHOC, I prayed and prayed. I prayed that God would protect every part of Dempsey's little body. Protect every organ. I prayed that the chemo would only touch and end the cancer cells and that all the other healthy cells would be spared. I prayed that I would be aware enough to see the opportunities God placed in my path- whether it be nutritional, gospel, essential oils, whatever. He answered that prayer as well.

Let me share with you HOW he answered that last prayer.

A doctor asked me what we were doing that keeps Dempsey so strong! Okay, did you pick yourself up off the floor? I KNOW, RIGHT?!?!?! An actual doctor asked me this. I was in a bit of shock but boy did I unload on her. What's more awesome than her asking the question is that she was positively engaged in our conversation and asked permission to share my site/ information with families who are interested in natural methods of strengthening and protecting their cancer kid's body. She even asked permission to communicate with me further because she is passionate about getting these kinds of alternative therapies integrated into the protocols for cancer kids.

Y'all, I promise, I am not getting my hopes up but I am SUPER EXCITED that a young doctor is engaging in these conversations and has a heart to be more holistic in the way we treat cancer patients.

Not only did I have this conversation with a doctor I was also able to talk nutrition to two lovely nurses. Once of them often does parent tours. I'm hoping to connect with her further and encourage her to pass along my information to any parents who would like to know about alternative therapies that are available to partner with standard treatment.

I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT GOD DOES!

Please be in prayer over this part of MY journey. Dempsey is the ultimate proof and I need God to continue to guide my actions and provide further knowledge for me. We have a LONG road still ahead of us. Fortunately, we are chugging along nicely through the rockiest of phases. Maintenance is the longest phase but it's often called the "easiest" because it's just a lot of the same. Less procedures, less altering of meds, no hospital stays, etc. We still need massive amounts of prayer and support.

Thank you for hanging on with us... we appreciate you all so very much! Even you always-silent-but-ever-faithful prayer warriors.

Click here for: WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT

They Gave Me A Mic and A Stage

Say whaaaaattttt?

Yes, sir/ ma'am, WACC (Whittier Area Community Church) gave me a mic and a stage from which to share about this journey God has us on with cancer. It's Dempsey's diagnosis but it is OUR journey.

It was an exciting experience that I don't remember... this talk, from just last night. I had to watch it this morning in order to know what I said. THAT is how I know the Holy Spirit showed up and did his thang. Praise God for that! Praise God that I was able to share things that touched people's hearts. That is all I want to do- touch people's lives and encourage them. I also want to teach people that a leukemia journey doesn't have to look like those sad/ pathetic (yet very real) photos from the cancer world. You/ they CAN THRIVE!!

In the talk I share about the supplements we use, the essential oils we use, and the prayer that is invaluable through this journey. I won't say anymore about it... I'll let you watch it for yourself.

I will apologize that you don't get to see all the photos that were shown but you've already seen them on this blog (if you've been following along).

May God bless you and stir your soul as you watch and share this video.

Cheers.

Click here for video

For more information about the alternative therapy protocols we are using with Dempsey, visit my website at

www.CoralKenagy.com

Nighttime Routine

Best. Sounds. Ever.

CHECKLIST
Dinner- check.
Outside exercise- check.
Detox bath for Demps and shower for Sawyer- check.
Essential oil regimen for Demps- check.
Essential oil diffuser full and on (thanks to Sawyer)- check.
Jammies for boys (picked out by Sawyer)- check.
Teeth brushed- Sawyer- check.
JellyTelly show (currently Owlegories)- check.
Nighttime smoothie for Demps- check.
Teeth brushed- Dempsey- check.
Tucked into bed- check.
Prayer- check.

I had gotten the boys all set for bed. Prayed over them. Then the ginger one stealthily gets out of his bunk and shimmies over to the closet. I sneak a kiss and gently tuck him in the dark, behind the closet doors.

Jake comes in the front door just in time to do prayer time with the boys. (Wednesdays are his long work day). As I pass him in the hall I rather loudly state that "Sawyer is ready for you." A few seconds later Jake smiles because he "got" my meaning. *snicker*

Jake goes into the boys' room and lays it on THICK. I love to watch and listen to him to this Daddy thing because he does it with gusto. Makes this woman proud to be united to a man of this caliber for life! Jake says, "Well, there's Sawyer, all ready for bed." Some other chit chat that excludes Dempsey continues. Sawyer loves this part too...

Then, all of the sudden, I hear "BOO!" And Jake lets out a gaspy "Oh!" and goes on and on about how Dempsey scared him and how Dempsey was hiding. Dempsey, meanwhile, is just giggling his little heart out.

At times I think, he has to know we're smarter than that... but most of the time, we'll toss whatever little bit of dignity we have left to the wind in order to hear our child(ren) laugh.

Some days I am just OVER the bodily humor. Poop. Fart. Pee. Butt. Burp. Snort. When you hear it all.... day.... long.... you lose the enthusiasm you were already running low on. BUT, when this humor gets your little ones roaring with laughter, faces so red, bodies hardly able to inhale oxygen... you will do more of it than you will ever admit because THAT SOUND IS HEAVEN.

DI: 2nd Infusion Day: Holding Steroids

Today Jake will take Dempsey to OPI (out patient infusion) for his second infusion in Delayed Intensification. Today's infusions will include: vincristine and doxorubicin. After today there will be NO drugs for a week- we are to hold steroids for now based on the "plan"!! So, we will detox, strengthen, and nourish him during that time (as always) to help his body function optimally during this part of treatment.

Dempsey is doing GREAT! He will tell you he's doing "good, great, fabulous, fantastico". Isn't that the most awesome thing you've heard today? A cancer kid telling you he feels those four amazing words... AND HE MEANS IT. Sometimes we get worried that he's telling us what we want to hear... mainly because we have moments of disbelief about how smooth this journey has been... so we sit him down and reiterate how important it is for him to tell us if he doesn't feel well.

Every day Dempsey runs around, laughs, explores, plays video games, helps in the kitchen, does chores, plays outside, and a host of other "normal kid" activities. In most all ways he is a normal, albeit exceptional, kid and we are super grateful for that!! God has protected him throughout this journey and we thank HIM in advance for protecting him through the end of this journey.

Super Sibling Sawyer is rockin' his job as Big Bro. He is thoughtful, helpful, encouraging, and a pest. What would a big bro be if he weren't a pest? AmIright? Sawyer is absolutely the best sibling for Dempsey during this journey. Just another of God's many wonderful provisions for our family. Jake and I are truly blessed... in many, MANY ways.

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I, Coral, speak at Whittier Area Community Church's Coffee Break THIS THURSDAY. I'm still waiting for the Holy Spirit to give me the words to share. I am confident that if he withholds words from me until the moment I open my mouth on Thursday night, he will show up in BIG ways once I do open my mouth. It is my daily prayer that I just be a vessel for the Spirit. I pray that I speak in tongues so that those who are there, listening, hear what THEY need to hear. All my words will not be for all people in all situations for all time. I pray that my words may be seeds lovingly planted in the heart's garden so the Holy Spirit may grow those seeds into fruit bearing plants for the soul. I'm eager to see what HE brings Thursday night.

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**COMING UP**

(hopefully mid November so you can receive your goodies in time for CHRISTMAS)
Where my MAKERS at??

I am looking to do an Instagram auction (early November) to help us raise funds for Dempsey. We are coming up to a time where we will need a large amount of funds to cover Dempsey's medical bills.
If you are interested in donating quality items/ goods/ baskets or know someone you think would be willing to do so, please contact me (Coral) here.
If you are interested in posting flyers about this auction in public places/ community boards/ social media/ etc, stay tuned as I will post a PDF that can be printed and an image that can be shared.

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WAYS TO HELP

We are running low on laundry detergent and I will be ordering some early next week. If you would like to bless us in that way you can visit our Amazon Wish List (click here) and we would be SUPER grateful!!

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PHOTOS

The boys made some military-based game from the empty sample vials and their lids.

Imagination!

Dempsey making is grilled-but-really-toasted cheese sandwich.

Soccer time! 

When brother is at school... we paint. 

Bone broth. NO EXCUSES!!

Super easy- I promise. 

Showin' off his strength and zeal for life.

Powered and Protected by GOD and NeoLife!! 

I attended the KICKcancER Retreat in Manhattan Beach this weekend.

Now I am certain that I need to hold my own seminars/ retreats because people need:

encouragement, empowerment, information, community. 

FaceTimed my guys while they were enjoying Burger Day without me. 

After some sibling battle, coloring was implemented as therapy. 

Love my Trouble!! 

So grateful there is a place I can take him to play! 

Don't tell anyone, but.... we went to Talia's and picked up gelato for the whole family. 

Real Life- messy, relational, life-giving, character-building, restful, priorities, home, together... 

Delayed Intensification Begins

First off, I want to SHOUT my thanks and praise to the Lord! I want to yell it in everyone's face, from the moutain tops, in all CAPS on social media, etc. The Lord is protecting my (our) baby in miraculous ways. Even when my humanity wins, the Lord is faithful and proves Himself loving, merciful, gracious, caring, protective, and- my favorite- PRESENT.

Second, I want to thank ALL OF YOU!! You continuously pray for Dempsey and I promise those prayers are heard and are even being answered in the affirmative. Dempsey is still thriving. Those negative side effects are still sitting on the bench, waiting to get into the game.  Here are photos to show you what life is like for our cancer kid.

DAY 1

Daddy took Dempsey to CHOC EARLY in the morning on Tuesday.

Our baby, post chemo (2 drugs) infusions and lumbar puncture, sleeping off the anesthesia.

It NEVER gets easier watching him lay there, so helpless,

not knowing what he'll feel like when he wakes up.

Just read. Your gut will tell you the rest. 

Our boy, awake, smiling. Hearts grateful.

Aaaaand, lunch. After 2 cups of smoothie between CHOC and the drive home,

Dempsey requested a grilled (toasted really) cheese sandwich.

My happy place.

I can cry looking at these images.

Another blessing from a dear, dear woman- Pam D.

I love how she didn't forget our Sawyer!

That's right, folks... this kid is going trike riding after having a needle in his spine just hours earlier.

Triking like a BOSS!

...because lets be real... hard days call for comfort food.

This is shepherds pie... almost like my late grandmother, June, used to make.

STOP! *whistle blows*

Another sweet and beyond generous gift from Pam D.

Seriously... how cute is this stud muffin?

DAY 2

Morning wii time. *ritual*

Dempsey's breakfast NEOLIFE Shake.

Yes, all those capsules get popped and their contents squeezed into and mixed in.

Ingredients: NEOLIFEShake Berries n Cream powder, almond milk, spinach leaves, Tre en en, Carotenoid Complex, Lecithin, Vitamin A, Vitamin E Plus, reverse osmisis water/ ice.

Lunch: grilled cheese sandwich for Demps; egg burrito for Sawyer;

grapes, strawberries, apple slices to be shared

Two of my babies... my oldest (fuzzy butt) Kamatz and my youngest (ginger) Dempsey.

Nap time. It was his idea to take a nap with me in my bed.

Sign me up!

Post-nap hydration.

Just look at that bod!!! *swoon*

Love me some handsome dude in a sweatsuit.

Muscles!

Brothers.

I can't get enough! This is him after a few laps of RUNNING.

Yes, that hair was blown dry.

Get out! Shut up! No way!

I swear.

I've been told it's going to fall out during this phase of treatement.

So, I will play with it, brush it, wash it, blow it dry, photo it as much as I can.

There you have it, friends. A glimpse or two into the life of Dempsey and his ever-loving family. This journey is a roller coaster. I know Scripture tells us to "fear not" or "have courage" or "do not worry"... but, damn, my humanity wins. A mother's heart is a wild thing! It is fierce and feels deeply. I am grateful to God for his continued protection and provision for Dempsey. I try hard to not worry and to live in the moment. It gets harder and harder the more run down I feel. I have a great man as my partner and I cannot beging to describe how utterly hopeless my life would be without him. He is incredible and strong. He loves his family well. We love him so much.

**COMING UP**

I am looking to do an Instagram auction (early November) to help us raise funds for Dempsey. We are coming up to a time where we will need a large amount of funds to cover Dempsey's medical bills.

If you are interested in donating quality items/ goods/ baskets or know someone you think would be willing to do so, please contact me (Coral) here.

If you are interested in posting flyers about this auction in public places/ community boards/ social media/ etc, stay tuned as I will post a PDF that can be printed and an image that can be shared.