We have detected that JavaScript is currently disabled. CaringBridge is best viewed with JavaScript enabled.

Dean’s Story

Site created on August 16, 2023

Hi everyone!

My husband had been feeling great and bike riding lots as the summer began. Couple days after a wonderful July 4th weekend with our kids at our cabin, Dean had some abdominal pain with diarrhea. That would not have been concerning alone but his stools were very bloody. Since many reasons for GI bleeding and fact that he had a colonoscopy just 2 years ago and another wasn’t recommended for 3 more years, we weren’t overly concerned. Then he felt fine the next day and had no more bleeding. He, however, did follow up once home with his primary physician as his energy level had seriously decreased.

His bloodwork showed his hemoglobin had dropped from 17.3 last summer to 9.1 which was reason for his low energy. Literally, he got tired walking up the steps in our house while he had ridden 60 miles on his bike only one week prior. An urgent colonoscopy was scheduled. Colonoscopy revealed a 3.5 cm mass in his cecum, ascending colon. The physician believed it was cancerous which the biopsy later confirmed. Surgery was scheduled for August 3rd. Thankfully, questionable spots seen on the liver came back negative on his CT scan.

Surgery went well with a foot of his ascending colon and appendix removed and no leakage from his anastomosis. We really liked his colorectal surgeon who came highly recommended. However, part of his surgeon’s excellent success record came from making sure the “gut” wakes up to begin healing right away. This meant no narcotic pain medications which would slow the gut down. Dean had some extremely intense pain post-op, especially once the surgery block wore off. His surgery lasted 3 hours and he stayed overnight at Regions Hospital but then came home the next day with a grocery bag of medications but nothing strong enough to fully alleviate the crazy pain he was suffering. It made for some really tough days at our house. After the first night, I began setting my alarm during the night to stay ahead of his worst pain. Thankful for our PA daughter, Madeline, who advised me on how many medications I could give and what combinations. Dean & I both quickly realized how someone could become addicted to pain meds with that much pain.

Pathology report came back one week post surgery and sadly showed his cancer had spread to his lymph nodes resulting in his Stage 3 colon cancer being confirmed. Even though this stage level comes with chemotherapy needed, we thanked Jesus that his cancer had not spread outside the colon which would have made it Stage 4 as the cancer was only 0.1 of a millimeter from reaching the peritoneum. God sure knew exactly when Dean had to get care.

We had his first appointment with an oncologist this week. Current plan is procedure to add port next week with chemotherapy to begin the following week. Monday, we meet with another oncologist, who came highly recommended, and will finalize the chemo plan.

This has been very tough past month for our family. However, God is so good, even in our trials. We are believing and trusting our big God to fully heal my husband. This is simply a yucky speed bump to grow our faith stronger, our family stronger, and however else God wants to use this to grow us. We are incredibly thankful for so many very dear family and friends who have been praying and supporting Dean, our family, and me. We’d be a mess without all of your incredible love & support. Thank you, thank you!

We are using this site to keep family and friends updated in one place, especially as we head into the chemotherapy treatment plan. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Maria Johnson — Mar 30, 2024

Dean here, sitting with Maria as she did not like the Caring Bridge update I did in 30 seconds via Chat GPT. She made me delete the whole thing and start over. She knows me too well.

Here is my update from appointment 2 weeks ago.

CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis was negative and all my blood work including my CT DNA were normal. My oncologist says I can classify myself as being in “remission” showing no signs of active cancer. PRAISE GOD! Will repeat CT scan & bloodwork, along with colonoscopy, in June.

Last fall, when I was in the depths of chemo and watched my fitness level deteriorate, we talked about setting a goal for me to get my fitness back. In early May, we, along with our daughter, Madeline and her husband, Zak, and his parents, Joe & Cathy, are heading to Peru to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is a 26-mile 4-day camping expedition covering lots of vertical feet. Excited for our challenge together seeing lots of God’s beauty.

I have been thinking about some of my cancer journey reflections.

God is incredible and can’t imagine going through cancer without a relationship with Jesus.

Prayer is powerful.

My wife of almost 34 years is amazing!

Support of our kids, family, and dear friends is priceless.

Our church family was so supportive too.

Having the support of a great business partner was invaluable.

Someone is always going through greater challenges, and I want to be a support for others.

Don’t take anything for granted.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Make the people you love a priority.

Maria and I have lots of adventures we still want to do together and with all our kids and future grandchildren. We eagerly await meeting our first grandson due in late August.

Everything I went through is nothing compared to the price Jesus paid dying on the cross for us. God Bless you and your family this Easter weekend.

Read More of the journal titled "Happy Easter!"

Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.

Help Dean Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Dean's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Comments Hide comments

Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser

Support Links

Helpful Requests

Go to Ways to Help