Thank you for all your prayers, well-wishes, advice and check-ins. We feel well-loved. We have not walked a step of this journey alone, but have been surrounded by so many who love us in so many, many ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I think the best way to do this entry is with bullet points. There’s no particular order but it may help you to follow the many points.
G/I ISSUES
- I am still struggling. I have not moved my bowels without chemical help, but I also haven’t eaten much. I went to the cancer center yesterday and today to get IV fluids. They gave me a steroid yesterday that was supposed to give me more energy and help me bounce back. It had the opposite effect and I went to bed miserable last night. They did not give me that steroid today!
- I have not vomited since yesterday so that is good. I was able to keep my meds down as well as some of the meds that are supposed to help my GI track get moving. That’s a plus and we are hoping things are going the right way.
- Hopefully, once we get my body caught up, we will keep a better balance of pain meds and laxatives. The doctor has assured me that we will find the right balance and things will get better.
- Thank you for the advice and prayers on medical marijuana. It is not a legal option in Idaho so that’s an easy closed door. We will follow the law and find the right balance with my other meds.
C/T RESULTS
- Nothing was unexpected. The cancer is aggressive and has grown. Some of the tumors have doubled in size, which is obviously not good. There are a lot more in my liver and one on the outside of my Aorta. As well, they have multiplied in my lymph nodes. I asked about the Aorta as that seems like it’s not good. Doctor Majitha said it is not a concern. It’s on the outside and small. His real concern is the size of the tumors in my esophagus. Their size is partly why I am having vomiting issues.
- I will not be starting the oral chemo that was planned for this week. I am already having enough issues getting things into my stomach and keeping them there. More oral pills everyday will be too much.
- My tissue was sent off to be matched for a new drug that just hit the market in the past few months. We found out I am a match! So we will start that drug on Monday, hopefully, if we can get approval and get it delivered. It has milder side-effects (supposedly). I will take it via IV every three weeks.
- This new drug has a 50% success rate. What that means is that 50% of patients find their tumors shrink some and 50% don’t. Not the greatest odds if you consider my journey with numbers, but it does bring hope.
THE BOTTOM LINE
My time table has not changed yet. I was given a year in August and right now the doctors feel that is still accurate, to the best of their ability. If this new drug slows the cancer, I could get more time. If it does not, then there will be a shortened time line for me. All this barring a miracle from the Almighty.
THE OTHER BOTTOM LINE
I have a lot of discomfort. I have a lot of pain. I am very limited. I have a lot of questions.
But…I have a loving family. I have a lot of great friends. I have a supportive church. I have bosses and co-workers who care. I have a lot of hope in a really big God.
I do not have control. I do not have a great outlook on a long future. I do not have a lot of options.
But…I do not have fear. I do not have darkness. I do not have loneliness. I do not have worry.
I have lost feeling in my hands and feet. I have lost weight and muscle. I have lost some ability. I have lost time.
But…I have found love in so many tangible places and ways. I have found opportunities to meet new people and share God’s love. I have found depth in relationships I didn’t know were there. I have found meaning and purpose.
Powerful, strong, believing.
Sending lots of love and prayers for you and your family! We love and miss y’all like crazy!! Thanks for sharing the ups and downs and how we can pray for you!! You’re testimony is so honoring to God! 🙏🏻💕
Love you Wes! I remember meeting you as a freshman during cross country camp. You and Chip made the experience enjoyable as I wasn’t much of a distance runner. I still remember your sermon at Church in which you used CREST toothpaste as an acronym. Praying for you and your family
I am not sure how long Kim has been following you, but I have only recently started seeing your email updates and reading some of your posts; and I pray God continues to uphold you and your family. I appreciate your straightforwardness, especially in the final three paragraphs of this post today, and your continued deep faith in God. May he continue to give you, and your family, grace and comfort in this time.
No matter what, your life has been a miracle and a shining light to all of us. You are an Apostle and a martyr. God has blessed you in unforeseen ways. Your life has been full of love given and shared. You will live on in all of us, because we love you and will never forget you and your service to God. We will see you in heaven if not before. Love to all your wonderful family, a living testimony that Jesus lives. AMEN
Dear Wes, I know I don’t know you personally. I know Jason Stonehouse, which is how I learned about your situation. But, I’ve been praying for you and your family. I’m so sorry for your pain and suffering.
The Lord brought Psalm 27:14 to me today. I want to share it with you too.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”
A dear friend of mine text me this same verse today from the Message and I love it!
“Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God.”
Take heart, Wes. Stay with God. Don’t quit. Wait for our amazing LORD!
Love and continue to pray for you and the family! Mark & Carol
Hi Coddington Tribe,
We love you guys, and we are praying for each one of you often. Thank you for taking the time to update us on what’s happening for you, and for sharing your wisdom and faith. We’re praying for comfort, encouragement, and even more opportunities to bring glory to God.
Continuing to pray for you and yours, Wes. I’ll pray specifically about your pain levels, and that you’ll be in the 50% of positive responses to the new drug!
We are praying for all of you wishing we could be with you to walk alongside each step of the way. Seems like yesterday we were praying for our first horns and each subsequent child even before they were born. Love you all.
Our prayers, love and hope continue to be with you and your family everyday 🌟🙏💓
Thank Wes and Karen for inviting us to in your personal journey. Thank you for reminding us all that God is giver of peace and love and hope. We remain in bold prayer for you for all the things you desire most.
By Grace
love
Terri and David Van Grol
Dear Pastor Wes,
Very glad to hear you are able to keep things down. Hopefully that will continue to improve!
I pray that the new drug does shrink the tumors, and has few/mild side-effects as expected,
and that the doctors do find the right combination of drugs to help you.
I’m very sorry to hear that the feeling hasn’t come back in your hands and feet (so far).
I pray that that reverses, too. And I pray that you always feel God close to you!
Thank you to both you and Karen for your Christian example.
May God continue to bless you both, and may He give you your miracle!
Hi, Wes, my wife & I continue 2 pray for you & your family. Thank you for sharing your journey, no matter how twisted it may get. We’re praying for added strength & easing of the pain. We’ll be praying that the new med that you talked about will be able to help give you more time & better quality of life. God bless you & your family. Deuteronomy 33:27 Rest & trust in the Everlasting arms.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you.
Dear Wes, Karen and family,
We are so sorry for your suffering and this difficult time that you are all going through. We are thinking of you and your family and praying for you. You are all so dearly loved and valued.
God bless you all.
Love, Beth and John Harris
Wow! So much strength and gratitude, so much Jesus pours out of you. You’re in my prayers daily. Love & miss you & the gang
Continuing to pray for you each day. Buck Stark.
Hi Wes, this is the first I have heard about your circumstances. What a poignant and lovely way you have found to offer our beautiful God the sacrifice of praise!
I join with you in prayer, and I ask Papa God for an overwhelming outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon you, your wife, and your children as you walk this course together. You are headed for victory and glory.
Martha. and I are praying for you.May God keep you and bless you in your cancer journey.
You probably don’t remember me, I was a board member at EEFC steinbach Manitoba Canada when you were hired as a youth pastor.
Thankful…..
That the vomiting subsided
That you won’t be required to take this new med orally
That your tissue was a match and for the hope it might shrink your tumors
Thankful for your godly mindset in all this and your genuineness.
Love you and Karen! Praying daily for all the above!
John and Laura
Love you Wes! Your faith is inspiring and we are all the better for knowing you!
In some ways it is gut wrenching to watch your journey, in others tears fall as we are in awe of seeing your grace in the midst of such an overwhelming trail. I can safely say that we can follow you as you follow Christ!! Whether sooner or later I also believe that God will say to you – well done good and faithful servant. May you know even some of the mighty impact you have on the kingdom while you and the family experience depth, width, length and height of the love of God!
Thank you for sharing your journey and prayer needs. My heart is touched to be more thankful for the life I have right now, despite its difficulties. I am praying for you and your great family to experience God’s loving, healing presence every day.
Your positive outlook is inspiring… thanks for sharing your journey with us. May God’s peace continue to sustain you all in the days to come.
Oh Wes, Dave and I continue to pray for a miracle for you and your family to remain strong throughout. How we wish our son would reach out to you too. I can’t imagine what you are going through but know that we have loved you for decades. Your Faith is strong and God has used you richly to bless others. We will see you again, <3
Sending my love, thoughts, and prayers to you, Wes.
My heart breaks for you Wes, and for Karen and kids. Prayers for comfort and relief from pain.
Wes, you are in Carolyn’s and my ongoing prayers. Thank you for this update.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Wes,
Nancy just read The Twisting Journey Continues.
That is absolutely the most beautiful, well articulated, blog I have ever read in my life, despite the horrific facts contained within it. Your outlook on the remainder of your life is more than admirable. I can only hope, that I could be as strong as you, given similar circumstances.
I love you. Scott
We are praying that the new drug works for you and that the pain subsides and the tumors shrink.
You and your family are prayed for daily and loved by many.🙏🙏😍