Donovan Delude

****First and foremost, we are using this as a way to keep in touch with all the wonderful people who love and care about Donovan. We are not asking for donations and any donations made here go to the Caring Bridge website, not to individuals or families***

2015-2016 has brought a number of adventures to our lives. We uprooted ourselves from Idaho, hopped a boat, and landed in Victoria, BC. Donovan became Port Director for Customs and Border Protection in April 2015. With that job comes lots of responsibility and on some occasions....stress. Because of this, Donovan didn't think anything of it that he was feeling tired and rundown. Having a child in elementary (Drake is in grade 5 at St. Patrick's) is like having a carrier monkey for disease in  your house. The annual colds and infections made their way through our house. Again, Donovan didn't think anything of it. It wasn't until the right side of his neck swelled to the size of a football.....he decided to take some Advil and go to bed!! The swelling went down, but not away. After a few weeks, he went to the walk in clinic and got some antibiotics. It didn't really do anything for him and he was still feeling miserable. 
When we decided to go to Bellingham and have check-ups, Donovan went to a family physician who immediately ordered a CAT-Scan. Thankfully we have a fabulous friend (Marcy LeCompte) who helped get him in right away. Within 24 hours, they ordered a ultra-sound guided biopsy (again, thank you Marcy!!). Within 48 hours, we received a call that it was cancer.
They couldn't tell us much other than it was squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.  We were immediately directed to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Dr. Eduardo Mendez from the University of Washington Medical Center explained that squamous cells make up, not only your skin, but the lining of your throat, esophagus, and stomach. At the time of diagnosis, they could not locate the primary source but the cancer is in his lymph nodes, possibly his tonsils, and possibly the base of his tongue.

This is a road we didn't think we would have to walk down at 35, but we are more than blessed to be walking this road with incredible family and friends.