Cavell Van Westen

Our world was turned upside down on June 26th  when we were told Cavell had rectal cancer.  We are journaling our story so friends and family can keep up to date.  Please keep Cavell and our family in your prayers in the months ahead.  
Cavell had noticed blood in his stool for approximately 9 months. Of coarse  he didnt mention anything to me. His comment was "I thought I was just getting older and this was part of it".  We had seen a doctor shortly after memorial day.  He thought it was hemorrhoids and set us up with a surgeon  for July 18th.  A few weeks had passed and Cavell messaged me and said he couldn't take the pressure anymore and said he needed to see someone sooner.  I made an appointment with Dr. Morrison in Worthington who set him up for colonoscopy.  We went in for colonoscopy and I knew deep down it was going to be bad.  Dr. Morrison came out of the procedure before Cavell and said, " I have bad news, he has cancer"  She had found a rectal mass. We were told that day the normal treatment would be chemo, radiation, surgery, and more chemo.  She was going to refer him to sioux falls.  So the waiting game began. In the past 2 weeks we have seen 3 doctors,  more testing,  more waiting and now are ready to get started! We are praying his port a cath will be placed tomorrow or friday with chemo and radiation starting next week. Monday would be ideal!!  The Chemo will run 7 days a week 24 hours a day for 7 to 8 weeks and radiation will be 5 days a week for 28 sessions.  We were very pleased with both our Oncologist Dr. Mazurczak and Dr. Mc Graw Radiation oncologist.  We are more than ready to attack this! We have made it this far with the suppprt of some great friends and supportive family. 🙏💙


Be strong and Courageous ~Deuteronomy 31:6