Welcome to our Caring Bridge site where we hope to share news and updates on our journey. We know that there are so many people who love and care for DeVan and our family and want to know how things are going and if there are any ways to help. We want to share that through all the struggles of dealing with cancer we want to give God all the glory. We don't know why we deal with certain struggles in life but through them all we want to keep our eyes on Jesus for He is our strength. We have been blessed with being able to receive care from two of the best oncologists in the world. This is truly a gift from God. We have had people care and love on our family since the beginning of the first diagnosis and for that we are so grateful and see it as an extensions of God's love.
DeVan with the support of his loving wife, Karen, has been battling since 2020. When DeVan's was diagnosed with stomach cancer God put Sarah Cannon in our pathway and we have seen the fruits of their labor through the care DeVan has received. From surgery, chemo and radiation the team at Sarah Cannon has always been incredibly supportive. DeVan always shares with us how the nurses are always so kind and helpful. Their optimism has kept our family's mindset in the right place. Through DeVan's strength, God's power, the unconditional love poured out by Karen, the support of family and friends and the care of the best doctors we were able to say that the stomach cancer was gone .
The next goal was to rebuild strength. DeVan worked hard to regain his strength. I think the worst part about dealing with cancer as a family unit are the doctor visits that follow after cancer is declared gone. Earlier this year more cancer was found in DeVan's peritoneum. The plan was to do chemo to remove the cancer cells once again. "Chemo sucks" is a saying heard often in our house and DeVan felt that way for the 3 full rounds of chemo that he endured this year.
The cancer has not grown but it hasn't also changed much so we have stopped chemo and are waiting on the guidance of the doctors to know our next steps.
Our family will use this site to keep all our friends and family updated. Some ways you can help:
Pray: for healing, DeVan to gain strength, Karen's strength, DeVan to feel God's comfort, DeVan to not be in pain, the doctors to feel led to in a way that will result in healing, the doctors to know God's love, for nursing help in the house so DeVan and Karen can feel supported as they fight cancer again.
Send letters of support: text 615-293-3899 if you want our address. Knowing we are not alone in this fight is everything. If you have time to send a prayer or letter of support in the mail to DeVan and Karen that would be well appreciated.
Visit: DeVan is spending his time at home reading, doing wordle, watching the grandkids play and resting. There are times that we would love visitors to enjoy a glass of tea or wine on the patio with our family or with DeVan. Please reach out to 615-293-3899 or Karen to know if it is a good day to visit.
Drop off food: DeVan is on a strict diet filled with lots of good things for his body but Karen has to stop and think about what she is feeding herself which at times can feel like a lot. I will link a meal train here. Meals for 1 person is appreciated.
Thank you all for your support and love. Our family knows God has a plan. We are so blessed that you all are apart of that plan.
Thank you to everyone who has been reaching out to us and offering their love and support during this time. I would love to compile a list of stories about DeVan for our family to hold onto and share with grandkids and each other as we go through this hard time.
If you have a story about DeVan that you would like to share please email it to me at BriannaArdBrunson@gmail.com.
It can be a funny story, a story about who he was at work or anything you would like to share with our family.
This will be something we can treasure for a long time.
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