...Round 2...

Hallelujah!!

Dustin is able to receive his 2^nd round of Chemo this week. His white blood cell count went back to normal and everything as been going great.

We are starting to experience the side effects of Chemo like hair loss, fatigue, and no immune system.

Dustin is frequently exhausted and has been taking the much needed time to rest and recover to get through each day. Dustin is an amazing father and contributor to our little family. Someone might think that going through something like Chemo would give anyone an excuse to NOT contribute but NOT Dustin. He is attending not only to his recovery but Kai and Knox. Making time and effort to play with Knox when he feels up for it and even do the dishes, take out the garbage, and do laundry for Kai! What a man! He never says “Poor Me” and hasn’t complained once about all the different challenges he has been facing lately.

Last week Dustin was facing the common cold. He had the running nose, the brutal cough, and the never ending head ache. It’s weird to think that many people get a cold and it goes away pretty quickly but Dustin has no immune system and he is still battling the deep cough that hurts his chest and keeps him up all night. The doctor is monitoring his lungs because of the deep cough. One of the drugs he receives can cause the lungs to collapse if not careful. Before Dustin started Chemo he had to have a pulmonary test preformed to show the starting point of his lungs. This week the doctor examined Dustin and they will be closely monitoring him and especially if his cough doesn’t subside.

When we took the Chemo class the nurse told all of the patients attending that there would be many different challenges with Chemo. One of the issues brought up was how a patient would receive the Chemo. Each patient has different options,

1)      You can get an IV and that IV can be left in for 2 days and then after 2 days they will start a new IV that can last for another 2 days… so-on and so-on

OR

2)      You can get a port, “In medicine, a port (or portacath) is a small medical appliance that is installed beneath the skin. A catheter connects the port to a vein. Under the skin, the port has a septum through which drugs can be injected and blood samples can be drawn many times, usually with less discomfort for the patient than a more typical "needle stick".” – Wikipedia

Dustin has been getting the IV every 2 days and it has become more and more of a struggle for the nurses to find veins. This has been causing Dustin major discomfort. The nurses today asked Dustin to make his final decision if he would like to get a port and Dustin has decided to go forth with the procedure.

To get the port in place Dustin will have to go under and it’s a half a day procedure. The treatment center has ordered the procedure and the doctor that performs the port incursions will be giving Dustin a call by next week to set up appointment day and time.

It’s scary to think that you have to go under in order to get a port in place but Dustin is mentally prepared for the procedure and is ready for it to happen. We will keep everyone posted when we find out more details.


Our next big day will be this Sunday, February 13^th at Tumwater High School for the Dustin Doughty Benefit Silent Auction and Spaghetti Feed.


 There are so many people dedicating their time and effort to put on this Spaghetti Feed. We are so thankful for each and every one of you! Without the hard work and motivation from Josh and Krista O’Byrne, Tyeson and Aleana Doughty, Libbie McClaflin, and all the amazing Volunteers none of this would be happening.


We are so overcome by the donations and sponsorships we have received that there are honestly no words that can express our gratitude. This whole benefit has been a really humbling experience for us and we can’t thank you all enough for your generosity and support.

Tomorrow Krista and Aleana will have the finalized list of all the amazing donations that were given for the silent auction and raffles.

We will post the preview list of what is up for auction and raffles at the benefit tomorrow.

We have received so many RSVP forms to the spaghetti feed and are so very excited to see all of you. Your presents will be a true honor and we can’t wait to see your faces!

Love you all so much!! Can’t wait to see you soon! Thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers!

Isaiah 40:31 - but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.