Heidi is Home!

Sunday, April 18, 2010 -  Kellee, Kerry & Phil left this morning to go to Ottumwa, they were all scheduled to play at The Bridge. Turns out Gpa T. was going to be there and planned to take them out for a meal after the service. I went to the 10:30 service at TRC. When I got home, Heidi had returned from her Florida trip and she came bearing gifts! It was like she was returning from the hunt and brought food for the table. She had some chicken and sides from Stroud’s in KCMO! Guess what we had for Sunday dinner! Thank-you Stacey, Charlie & Rosie! Heidi had a great trip, but as with any great trip it had to end and she was glad to be home.  When Kerry found out we were having Stroud’s chicken he texted me, “Shootdang!…”
Kory called with some exciting news, he won and X-Box 360 in a raffle at some VEISHEA  function on Saturday night. That was pretty cool because he was kind of wanting one. Now maybe I can get The Beatles Rock Band game and gear! We also talked about getting his stuff home before finals so he can then just drive home on his own.
When Kellee got back from Ottumwa, Heidi told us about her trip and Kellee and I told her about the meat wrapped in bacon. (What is it about bacon that makes everything taste better?) Heidi was excited there are still a few blooms left on the magnolia tree so she didn’t miss out on all of them. She was amazed at the number of tulips that are already out. Each year when they come out, people in town start to fret about whether there will be tulips left by Pella’s Tulip Time and they miss out on enjoying them while they are blooming. We have learned to appreciate their beauty whenever the blooms open up. (I think there could be a life lesson in there somewhere?)
Sunday afternoon we rested and napped and then in the evening Kellee finished another song.  http://www.myspace.com/kelleevanhemertmusic

Monday, Kellee and Kent will travel to Iowa City to begin the treatment process. Monday is “verification” where they make sure Kellee is in the correct position and all the equipment is pointing where is supposed to point. The actual radiation begins on Tuesday. We also will find out on Monday what time of each day the radiation treatments will be scheduled. It is our hope and prayer the tumor will shrink even faster than expected! We will keep you posted as to the progress.

Stitches, Band and Work

Friday, April 16, 2010 – Kellee got the stitches out of his head today, another thing to cross off the list and he was able to have it doe here in Pella, yeah! Sons & Heirs did not win the Veishea battle of the bands, but they had a fun time playing anyway.

Since no one was home Friday night, I stayed at work until 10:30 trying to get ahead some, because even though I will be able to work from Iowa City next week, I want to be sure I don’t fall behind. Which would be another prayer request for both Heidi and I, that we would be able to work efficiently and effectively while “off-site” and not have too many distractions.  Pray also for which ever parent is back at home in Pella, while Kellee is in Iowa City with the other one.  And of course continue to pray for Kellee.

VEISHEA Botb

Thursday, April 15, 2010 – Very short post today.

The band, Sons & Heirs will be playing Friday night at VEISHEA  Battle of the Bands because they made it past the first round! They play Friday the 16th @ 6:00 PM. Go check them out and cheer them on if you plan to be at VEISHEA! If Heidi were not on vacation, we would probably go up, but we will be missing this show.

Kellee gets the stitches out tomorrow afternoon, shortly before the band leaves for Ames. He is anxious to have them gone! Pray the removal goes well, no issues. Please continue to pray we as we finalize out accommodation arrangements for during the treatment.

Some people have asked for specifics on how to pray for Kellee: Since his form of tumor is supposed to be very treatable with radiation, pray the tumor shrinks quickly and is gone when the final MRI is taken. Also pray for a minimum of side effects to the radiation (zero would be nice, especially no nausea!) Pray for good rest and safe travels between Pella and Iowa City.

Magnolia Tree in Bloom

Monday, April 12, 2010 – Kellee had an ultra-sound this morning and it appears there was nothing there!  At least nothing of concern. Once again the news was everything looks good at first glance, but the person who had to give it the final reading was in surgery and would read it later. Kellee was supposed to get a call in the afternoon with the official word. However, no call came – so we wait a bit more. We also have not received a call from ACS Hope Lodge to verify if we will be able to stay there next week. Application for admission is by physician referral only after a treatment plan has been developed. We filled out the paperwork last Thursday when we were there and they were going to turn it in for us.  Hopefully we will get a call before too much of the week goes by, so we will have time to make other arrangements, if needed. Please pray there will be an opening for us there! The full official name of the Hope Lodge in Iowa City  is – The Russell and Ann Gerdin American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.

Another prayer request would be for my work computer, I am hoping to be able to take my laptop from work and hook up to our network and to do most of my job while in Iowa City. However, I have been having difficulty being able to sign in and I will really need to be able to do so to work, otherwise there will be things I will not be able to accomplish. The latest fix tried today, did not work! Please pray IT can help me figure it out before the end of the week.

Today, my friend & hunting buddy John  came over and fixed Kory’s car, so it is ready to go up to Ames on Thursday. It was a pretty simple fix and I probably should have been able to figure it out. John definitely has a gift and he enjoys serving by helping people in this way. We really appreciate his assistance on our vehicles!

Tonight Kellee went to Systematic Theology class @ TRC and then the band, Sons & Heirs, is scheduled to practice after class.  (Have you been voting for S &H at Cornerstone?) The band is looking forward to Thursday and the Battle of the Bands at VEISHEA.  I went to the Barefoot Warriors men’s prayer and then came home to update the blog.

When Heidi left for her trip, one of the things she realized she would probably miss would be the blooming of our magnolia tree. As is usually the case in most things, she was right; today it was just starting to bloom nicely. It is not quite in full bloom, but getting close. It is so nice to see the grass getting green, leaves starting to show on trees, etc. Thank the Lord for Spring, the yearly reminder of  God’s goodness and how He brings life from death! To mark the occasion, Kellee agreed to let me take his picture by the tree to post so Heidi can see it from Florida and anyone else interested can also see the bloomin’ tree.

Kellee by the tree