Pet scan

Nate had a PET scan and bone marrow biopsy done at Northwestern last week.  The PET scan brings up anxiety for me.  I felt confident it would be clear, but the reality is you just never know.  The PET scan is annoying, but not painful for Nate.  The bone marrow biopsy was quite painful this time.  I have watched his other bone marrow biopsies, but this one shook me up.  I hate that he has to do all of this medical stuff.  It makes me angry that these appointments are just part of his life.  This was his third biopsy in 8 months.  That sucks.  We both hope he never has to do another one.  Nate's blood work looks good, his numbers are continuing to rise. His next appointment at NW is in 3 months- that's encouraging! And the next PET scan is in 6 months.

The Northwestern Dr wants Nate to begin maintenance chemo next month.  He recommends once/month chemo for 2 years. I was a little peeved with the Northwestern Dr at this visit.  He did not seem to take our questions and concerns about maintenance chemo very seriously.  I left the appointment wondering, "who is our Dr that is on our side?  Who will listen to our concerns about quality of life and chemo and cancer?" Our Northwestern Dr is a stem cell transplant Dr and now that we are past that, maybe he views his work as done?  I don't know.  We know that we are going to do some research about maintenance chemo, talk to our local oncologist and reach out to Mayo Clinic for some direction too.

We got the PET scan results and there is no evidence of lymphoma! That is great news.  There was some kind of abnormal activity near Nate's thyroid so he needs an ultrasound done to figure out what is going on there.  Please pray it is nothing serious.  The initial bone marrow results also show no evidence of lymphoma!

Nate has been feeling great.  He is working and just doing normal life.  He gets tired a little more easily, but not enough to negatively impact his life.  Our family has been enjoying a fun summer of vacations and spending time with family/friends. I am so grateful.

Personally, I am getting to a better place.  For about 6 weeks there I felt like I was clawing my way out of a hole.  I just felt hopeless when I thought about the future.  I was depressed and trying to process everything that happened and the losses we have sustained.  Taking an anti-depressant and talking with a counselor has helped me feel more level.  The road ahead is unknown, but I am feeling more grounded.

Please pray for a clear thyroid ultrasound and for wisdom regarding maintenance chemo.

Article from the Holland Sentinel

The following article ran in our local newspaper.  We are humbled that Graafschap church chose to bless our family.  Honestly, it was hard for Nate and I to accept this offer of support.  But, this journey has stretched us and challenged us to accept support in various forms.  If you are around on the morning of the 4th, come have some fun with us!

On the Fourth of July, the Graafschap Christian Reformed Church will hold its annual Summerfest community event to benefit a family in need.

On the Fourth of July, the Graafschap Christian Reformed Church will host its annual Summerfest community event to benefit a family in need.

This year’s event will benefit the DeMaster family of Holland. Nate DeMaster, a husband and father of five, was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in October.

DeMaster went through chemotherapy and had a stem cell transplant in April at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago.

Since then, he has recovered and is cancer free at the moment.

“The sticky thing is his type of cancer tends to come back eventually,” said Stacy DeMaster, Nate’s wife. “It’s just one of those unknowns about the future.”

All of the money raised during the event will be donated to the DeMaster family. Stacy DeMaster said the family could use it for a number of things ranging from future medical expenses to college tuition.

The DeMaster family attends the Faith Christian Reformed Church and have children at Holland Christian Schools. Stacy DeMaster said people from their own church and schools have stepped up to help out, but it was nice to receive support from people at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church as well.

“They really rallied around our family the past year and it was great just to have another group of people want to help us,” Stacy DeMaster said.

Summerfest will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church and will include animals from Critter Barn, a car show, a garden tractor pull, kid’s games, barrel train rides for the kids and lunch. There also will be a DJ at the event.

Cindy Michielsen, secretary for the church, said the church uses the event to raise money for a family or a cause every year.

In addition, longtime member of the church Bob Busscher has been appointed mayor for the day during the event.

Busscher said he has been attending the church his whole life and is “quite honored.”

Michielsen said the event will be good for the community.

“We want to help out a family in the community and bring people together for a fun family event,” Michielsen said.