Email: October Update

Hello friends and family.

I'm finally getting around to sending out another update on Dempsey's cancer journey. So, here we go...

Dempsey has finished ALL 4 of his in-patient stays that included HD MTX (high dose methotrexate). He finished this series with flying colors. Each consecutive stay brought more and more questions from nurses, staff, and other cancer families about what we were doing to keep Dempsey so strong and free from negative side effects. Each question asked was an opportunity for us to discuss the power of prayer, God's provision and protection, whole food nutrition & supplementation, using essential oils, and other methods we have employed throughout this journey. I would hand out my business card (it would have been better if I had written down/ logged their names and numbers) and shared about the website I created to show the protocols we're using: www.coralkenagy.com. Please share that site with everyone... especially those battling cancer.

Last Monday (9/26/16) Dempsey had labs. The results were mostly good. His ANC (immune system) was low- at 500. This is to be expected after a round of HD MTX. The blessing with his numbers being so low is that the 6MP (nightly chemo pill) was stopped until his numbers are shown to have rebounded about 750. For your reference, a healthy person's ANC level will be between 1,500 and 8,000. Despite having a low ANC, Dempsey has never shown any signs of slowing down, infection, or less-than-normal. Praising God for this reality!!

Dempsey has labs again tomorrow morning and we will see if we start up his nightly pill like before.

Jake is currently battling a head cold. Bummer. He says he slept pretty well last night and he is at work this morning... Sundays are the day of the week he just can't miss... it's also one of two long days. October is also the month where the church starts ramping up for Christmas. So, Jake can use some extra prayers right now- return to perfect health and that work stress is minimal and easily managed.

Sawyer is enjoying BIOLA Friday classes. I have yet to make it through a whole Friday schedule WITH him. Probably next week, week #3, will be the week I finally see all elements of his school day. Week #1 a friend handled everything while we were in-patient with Dempsey. Week #2 we all went and dropped Sawyer off but I had a much-needed lunch date with a friend so Jake and Dempsey handled the PE to Swim transition and pick up. Sawyer is also enjoying soccer this season. I'm so glad he enjoys the game even if his team loses. Yesterday's game ended with a score of 4-4. Yay!! Sawyer is also involved in a Tuesday class about CA history. We'll see if we can make it through the year with this group... Dempsey's journey dictates so much of what we are able to do.

Me? I've had a ROUGH week emotionally. This cancer journey has taken a toll on me. Social media doesn't help because that's where people are posting the best of their lives and it is super hard to see our friends out living life as normal because nothing in their life has changed. We are grateful the are healthy and happy and able to enjoy life and it sure causes the ugly monsters of jealousy, bitterness, resentment, anger, frustration, sadness, grief, depression, isolation, etc to rear their heads. It is hard to be "stuck" under forced house arrest so much. It's hard to get Sawyer the socialization he craves when I can't allow Dempsey to be around people and places that are unfamiliar to his little body right now. It's hard to balance everyone's schedules and then, even if we do manage balance, we are subject to change because of Dempsey's appointments, etc. Perhaps we could have friends over but I'm not sure the fun is worth the risk that poses for Dempsey. It's just hard. It's lonely.

I am speaking at WACC's Coffee Break this month. October 20th @ 7pm 8100 Colima Rd, Whittier 90605. If you are able to make it, I would LOVE to see you there. I will be talking about our journey and the many facets of life it impacts. If you're on Facebook, you can find the event information by clicking HERE. Please share this event with everyone. If you are interested in seeing it but are out of state, please let me know. I believe we will have a live streaming option but you will have to have the link.

Prayer requests:

Pray for miraculous healing

Pray for miracles in all areas of this journey

Pray against negative side effects of the drugs

Pray for peace

Pray for a right perspective

Pray over our marriage (it is tested often)

Pray protection over Dempsey's entire body

Pray protection over Sawyer's brother heart

Pray protection over Dempsey's mind

Pray protection in all forms over our family

Pray strength for our support network- we need them so much and for a very long time

Pray for margin

Pray for financial peace and provision

Pray for physical healing when we are not 100%

Pray for rest

Pray that God will always be enough (admittedly, for me, he seems to not be right now)

Pray we will be constantly encouraged

Pray for endurance- this journey is many marathons together

Pray that we will be lights in a dark place

Pray that we will advance the Gospel

Pray that we will educate people on nutrition to help them thrive (not just those who are sick)

Pray that my website will be beneficial to MANY

Pray that we will remain humble

Pray that we will seek His leading and dig into his Word

Pray as you feel led

Coral Kenagy

http://dempseyupdates.blogspot.com/

https://www.paypal.me/coralkenagy
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