Devon undergoing chemo – 2006.
Devon was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma on July 16, 1999 (Follicular Stage 4 Cleve B Cell).
Diagnosis:
Devon had been sick for a couple of years with frequent kidney and bladder infections prior to being diagnosed. It took 6 months of infections to bring about testing that lead to her diagnosis of cancer. At the time of diagnosis, the doctors figured Devon probably had cancer for 5-7 years already.
The news came as a shock to everyone and the emotions were heightened because Devon was 9 weeks pregnant with Noah at the time. Devon and Eric’s options for her treatments were limited and several doctors wanted them to terminate the pregnancy to commence treatments right away. Devon had a feeling that this was her one chance at having a baby (which she had wanted all her life) and she didn’t want to rush into a decision.
Devon went through a couple of bone marrow tests, laproscopy tests through her stomach and blood tests. She and Eric also went to 2 sets of doctors for 2nd opinions and then met with a panel of 5 doctors on the advice of the BC Cancer Agency. After all this, the BCCA allowed Devon to continue with the pregnancy. Thank goodness – 14 years later they have an amazing, happy and healthy teenager. Noah was born Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at 8lbs 3oz.
Treatment History:
1st Treatment: After Noah was born, Devon and Eric chose to wait until May 2001 to start treatments through a ‘clinical trial’. The treatment lasted one and a half years and the results were positive with 95% success rate.
2nd Treatment: December 2006 saw Devon need to start another treatment (chemotherapy) and, thankfully, the outcome was good with an 85% success rate. She continued to be able to participate in all of her favourite activities without any major concerns.
3rd Treatment: This past winter was a tough one for Devon. She had numerous illnesses and colds leading to infections that she just couldn’t beat. After blood work, scans and a visit with her oncologist in Vancouver, the news was unfortunately what she had expected to hear. Devon started her third treatment on June 24, 2014 through another clinical trial.
Devon doing her baseline tests for her clinical trial, which begins on June 24th.
In Devon’s own words (posted on FB to update friends and family):
“Well…. it was expected, but the news is always hard to take. I went yesterday to Vancouver to see my doctor about my Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I found a few new lumps in my neck. After getting some tests done, it shows that they are cancer. I will be starting treatment again in the next few weeks. The treatment and recovery will be 6 months to a year. After 6 & 1/2 years the thought of chemo does freak me out a bit, but I will kick it’s butt as I have done in the past.”
On June 24th, Devon started her 3rd round of chemotherapy through a clinical trial at the BC Cancer Institute in Vancouver. She’ll be in Vancouver for 3 days each month being monitored by her team of doctors and nurses while she receives chemo over 2 days.
It goes without saying that Devon is an amazing person. She’s loved by SO MANY and just scrolling through her Facebook pictures will show you just how much fun she gets out of life and how much she values her relationships with friends and family.
Thank you for praying for Devon as she heads into chemo with 1 goal in mind: to kick cancer’s ass.
Here’s how you can help!
To make a financial contribution to offset costs of traveling to Vancouver each month, click here.
To make a meal or order delivery for Devon and her family, click here.
Noah, who turned 14 in February. What a miracle.
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helping devo kick cancer's butt 