It’s been a week of encouragement, discouragement, excitement, disappointment, mental and physical challenge, seeing head way, then not so sure. Some things have seem to have gotten better while others have remained the same or worse (or more confusing).
Wes began Chemo on Tuesday. It is one day a week, every three weeks. It is really hard to figure out what is the side effects of the Chemo and what is us just trying to figure out timing for medicine and food. He had a few days where he wasn’t vomiting, but lately it’s multiple times a day, sometimes just dry heaves and other times the medicine he just took.
Wes woke up on Thursday feeling really good, but as soon as he started taking his food and medicine it made him feel lousy again. We’ve had a lot of encouraging conversations, words and notes of encouragement, generous gifts and surprise packages that have been a beacon of brightness throughout the week.
Continue to pray for Wes as he is not feeling better and not able to focus and do things he’d like to be doing. He has lost over 20 lbs in the last three weeks. We have been logging everything and are working on getting a better schedule for taking food and medicine. It’s just been challenging as we are trying to go by how he feels and sometimes it’s hard to eat when you feel nauseous, however, he may feel nauseous because he has no food in him. I ask for prayer as well to know how to best administer what he needs so he can feel better and have a better routine.
Thank you all for your generosity, love, support and prayers. We are not on this journey alone and we know and feel it. Thank you!
*Picture above, Kasey took at Table Rock in Boise Idaho.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all the time!
Loving you all and sending this Love to you!! Praying Praying Praying!! He hears them all, we know completely! Hang tightly to The Lord Almighty! His promise tells us that He never leaves us nor forsakes us! As hard as this is, and I have not lived through the path you are enduring, Hang Tightly To His Robe!! In Love!!
My heart, my mind, my prayers are with each of you.
Praying for you all. My heart breaks when reading what you are going through.
Dear Wes and Karen
We have been praying for you regularly the last several weeks as we began to be aware of what is happening in your lives.
You have a warm place in our hearts as you connected with our son, Derek Graham, in your time at Emmanuel in Steinbach.
I am amazed at your faith, joy, and trust on this very rough road. It is clear that God has His hand over you and your family.
We will continue to pray according to your requests in your blog. I have also specifically been praying for the young men that Wes spoke to a couple of weeks ago one night in the hospital.
We are far away, but we are one in spirit and faith and all part of the family of God. I will pass to you a verse that you will know well, but God has put it on my heart for this season.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16.
Your brother and sister in Christ,
Carolyn and Doug.
Still praying with every thought of your tribe.
Our hearts and prayers are with you all!🙏🏻❤️ The Shumski Family
Continuing in prayer Karen for you, Wes, and the children.
I remember when I first knew of your story and God spoke to me that Wes was a warrior. I see the truth of that clearly, and have come to see that , really, this family is a band of warriors. Warriors never quit. They fight until the battle is won. They face the hardships without turning away., that doesn’t mean they don’t contend with pain. or sorrow, or loss. It doesn’t mean they don’t question It means, I think, Warriors have faith in their leader beyond what the casual person would know. There are degrees of faith, and those God calls as Warriors are empowered with a faith that is extraordinary! I am no scholar, no teacher of the Word, but I hope you will receive this and be encouraged. Love and prayers sent to you all.
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We are in constant prayer for you all. We pray that our Heavenly Father place his healing on Wes and grant peace to you all. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Still praying for Wes and family.🙏✝️
I pray that God gives you strength, and the wisdom to know how/when to best administer the food and medicine,
and to be able to distinguish what the nausea is from. I pray also that the new chemo is effective, and that the side effects (whether from the medicine of something else) subside!
Much love to you and your family!
Prayers for you and your family. Have you tried juicing. When I was on chemo I would juice celery carrots and half of a green apple. That would give me energy as I sipped it. Also there is a book that I have been following eat right for your blood type. I pray Wess gets some relief. And your family continues to be his support. God is with you!
Warriors indeed (good word from Connie Dmitht)! And true followers of The Way. I stand humbled by your faith. Continuing to pray.
My son Andrew just shared this article with our family members. I think you all have experienced a lot of this already, but still, if you can squeeze in a read, it may encourage your hearts. And you may be able to pray for the Kellers in their trial. Love and prayers, Rhonda link to theatlantic.com
Wes, Karen and family.
Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you.
Also just wanted to let you know that since you spoke at Living Hope. God put on two young women’s hearts to have a prayer and worship night for the women. Praising God for all of you!
Praying!!!