helping devo kick cancer's butt

update from Devo & silent auction sneak peak

Posted on July 9, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

Due to an allergic reaction to one of her medications, Devon had to visit her oncologist in Vancouver on Tuesday, July 8th to help get her side-effects under control and figure out exactly WHICH drug she reacted to. Here is the update from Devon, which she posted on Facebook:

“Back from the Cancer Agency; still very itchy, puffy and can’t eat due my burnt throat BUT I was given drugs to help me rebound, so hopefully by Friday I will be back to myself. Dr Connors feels it in the drug; bendamustine that is making have this reaction. It didn’t start right away because I was taking an antinausea pill that had steroids it in. The steroids were holding it at bay, so when I decided to stop the pills thus began my lovely journey of puffiness…. and now itchy. Thanks for all the prayers and kind words, it means alot to me and I really feel the support.”

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS: ‘buy now’ option!

Its going to be a great night at The Longhorn!

Don’t forget that the Silent Auction Fundraiser is Wednesday, July 9th at The Longhorn at 5pm! Even while doing chemotherapy, Devon could probably out-party you all! Its going to be a great night so come on out and party it up with the Clark sisters!

Here are a few of the Silent Auction items available at The Longhorn TONIGHT at 5pm (Wednesday, July 9th). If you would like to purchase any of these items before the auction starts, the ‘buy now’ price is listed with the item below. You can text or call Erin Marof to reserve these items, however, please note: e-transfer or paypal payment must be received BEFORE 5pm (BC time) or the item will be put into the auction. Erin will not be available to take bids via phone once the auction starts. Her contact number is: 604-698-5167

1. Bearfoot Bistro dinner for 4 (includes Vodka room)
Value: $800
Buy Now: $960

2. Aloha Whistler: 3 nights in a 3 bedroom Executive Townhome
*Compliments of the Huxtable family
Value: $2100
Buy Now: $2520

3. The Adventure Group: Superfly & Treetop Adventure Group for 4 people
*Compliments of Kirby Brown
Value: $700
Buy Now: $840

4. Canadian Wilderness Adventure: Call of the Wild ATV Tour for 2
Value: $298
Buy Now: $357.60

5. Revelstoke one week stay at quaint farmhouse – great for 2 families
*Compliments of David Evans and Shelly Sharpe
Value: $2400
Buy Now: $2880

6. 24 Passenger Executive Bus to Vancouver Return
*Compliments of VIP Whistler Sean Wells
Value: $1750
Buy Now: $2100

7. Club Intrawest Whistler or Vancouver: 2 nights stay in a luxury 1 bedroom
Value: $500
Buy Now: $600

8. 12 Minute Helicopter Tour for up to 5 people with a glacier landing
*Compliments of Blackcomb Aviation
Value: $700
Buy Now: $840

With over 50 silent auction items available at Devon’s fundraiser, its sure to be a fabulous night! Tickets are $20 at the door, which a beer and a bracelet in support of Devo.

You can also make a donation in support of Devon here!

See you there!

One of Devon’s favourite quotes, I imagine…

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Reminder: Silent Auction Fundraiser Tomorrow!

Posted on July 8, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

Bracelets in support of Devo! Get yours at The Longhorn fundraiser on Wednesday evening!

Don’t forget that TOMORROW Wednesday, July 9th is the big silent auction fundraiser for Devon! This fundraising event is to help offset the costs of her traveling to Vancouver twice a month for her chemotherapy this year. $20 at the door gets you a beer and a bracelet in support of Devon!

We have had so much support with this silent auction and fundraiser from so many individuals and local businesses. We live in an awesome town with an incredible community that comes around people in need!

With loads of items to bid on at the silent auction, here is a SNEAK PEAK at some of the silent auction items:

1. Whistler Blackcomb ski pass: Value $1900
2. Bearfoot Bistro dinner for 4 with Vodka room: Value $700
3. Super Fly Zipline for 4: Value $700
4. Whistler Dental teeth whitening kit: Value $360
5. Rocks and Gems soapstone carved bear: Value $250

Its going to an awesome evening with loads of fun – a night to remember for sure! Devon may be itching like mad from her allergic reaction to her medication but she’ll be there! Devo wouldn’t miss a party, would she? So neither should you! See you at The Longhorn tomorrow at 5pm!

Can’t make it to the fundraiser? No worries! You can make a donation here!

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devon on the mend

Posted on July 7, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

Just a quick update on Devon…

She managed to head home and have a good night’s sleep after her 2nd visit to the clinic. Up early this morning, she’s still suffering from a really uncomfortable and itchy body rash along with a burning sensation on her skin. Her fever is under control and she is currently on some steroids to help her out.

While she was meant to head to the BC Cancer Agency on Wednesday for her blood work (11 vials!), her oncologist, Doctor Connors, wants to see her tomorrow morning. So Eric is driving Devon to the city tomorrow for blood work and an appointment with her oncologist. We’ll have more information after her appointment on Tuesday, July 8th.

Devon still plans to attend the fundraiser/silent auction event on Wednesday, July 9th at The Longhorn so be sure to come along! Its going to be a great evening! Stay tuned tomorrow for a sneak peak and some awesome silent auction items!

Don’t forget you can also make a donation here to support Devon this year during treatments.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Fundraiser, side effects | 2 Comments

allergic reaction won’t beat it

Posted on July 7, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

Back in the clinic trying to resolve this allergic reaction.

After spending a day in the Whistler medical clinic because of an allergic reaction (read post about it here), Devon was sent home with her fever under control and some medication to help with her symptoms.

Unfortunately, Eric had to bring her back to the clinic when her fever spiked again, rash inflamed once more and scariest of all – she started having difficulty breathing. She’s really not feeling well and her spirits are low. The doctors in Whistler are in touch with her clinical trial staff at the BC Cancer Agency regularly. Once her IV steroids are done, she’ll be assessed and possibly sent home again.

Prayers are needed for these steroids to work and help Devon feel a whole lot better so she can hopefully get back to her chemo as soon as possible. Please also keep Eric and Noah in your prayers.

Devon is really not feeling well and could use some encouraging prayers.

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allergic reaction lands devo in the clinic

Posted on July 6, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

Prayers for Devon would be greatly appreciated immediately as she seems to be having an allergic reaction to her drugs. We aren’t sure WHICH drugs she’s allergic to but we are all concerned it might be her clinical trial chemo drugs – which is obviously not ideal. At the moment she’s been taken off her chemo drugs until the doctors sort this all out and get Devo feeling better.

She seems to have been fine since her chemo started but then suddenly around noon she got really sick and a rash broke out all over her body, which was followed by a fever of 102. She’s in the Whistler clinic now and after an IV, multiple tests, X-rays and blood work nothing shows up just yet.

Please pray for a quick recovery for Devon. And especially pray that it is NOT the chemotherapy drugs causing this allergic reaction. Please pray for Eric and Noah as well.

We’ll keep you posted. Thanks!

Devon in the Whistler clinic after an allergic reaction – hopefully NOT to her chemo drugs.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged side effects | 4 Comments

update from Devo

Posted on July 5, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

by: Devon

Wednesday, July 2:

Didn’t take any anti-nausea pills today. I wanted to try it out, glad I did. I was a little queasy, but enjoyed that much better than the jitters and anxious feeling I get from the steroids in the anti nausea pills.

Went for a day trip with Niki to Squamish and enjoyed some yummy fish & chips at The Wigan Pier. I even tried some mushy peas….. mmmmm yummy!

The Wigan Pier with Niki!

Lunch at The Wigan Pier with Niki.

Mmmm! Mushy peas!

Thursday, July 3:

Woke up queasy….. Thinking I will wait an hour but might have to take an anti nausea pill today 😦

Friday, July 4:

I received these amazing mints today from Roxanne of Celebrate Whistler. Thanks for thinking of me. The mints remind me of my Grandma O’Connell and they help with the metal mouth taste from my chemo pills – thank you very much!

Lovely mints, courtesy of Roxanne from Celebrate Whistler. Thanks!

I also received a beautiful quilt from Elly Van Alfen, who is married to my co-worker Jay Davis – brought to me from the Whistler Valley Quilters’ Guild. It looks amazing in my living room! You’d think it was too pretty to cuddle with but NO! I did yesterday and love it.

Thank you for the lovely quilt!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged from Devo, gifts for Devon, side effects | 1 Comment

Fundraiser venue changed!

Posted on July 4, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

With over 200 people already coming to Devon’s fundraiser on July 9th (her 15 year anniversary of being diagnosed with NHL), we have had to change the venue to a accommodate everyone. AWESOME!

Please note that the fundraiser will now be held at THE LONGHORN. Please spread the word and come celebrate Devo! There will be live music and kids are welcome! Tickers are $20 at the door, which gets you a beer and an orange ‘DEVO kicks Cancer’s butt’ bracelet.

See you on Wednesday!

The Longhorn Saloon

Devo kicks cancer’s butt bracelet.

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1st chemo follow-up and photos

Posted on June 29, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

One of Devon’s favourite mugs – for obvious reasons! A great gift from Janet Quinn years ago!

I had a nice, long Skype chat with Devon last night and she asked me to post all of her photos from Facebook onto her blog so that non-Facebook users would see them. My apologies that I didn’t think of that! So scroll down below to see the pictures from Devon’s first round of chemotherapy, which lasts 3 days including blood work.

But first, Devon asked me to update everyone on how she’s feeling after her first round of chemotherapy. She’s in a bit of a catch-22 in that she is taking anti-nausea medication (obviously to prevent her from feeling sick) but the anti-nausea meds are causing her to feel the following:

– generally feeling sick to her stomach
– her face is flushed and feels like its burning
– she feels jittery and anxious most of the time (has a hard time concentrating on books, movies, etc.)

She also has some severe bruising from her blood work prior to chemo. She’s always bruised easily and we’re hoping these bruises subside before her next round of blood work on July 9th.

Bruising from her blood work. Each time she has blood work done, they take 11 vials of blood.

Ouch!

Devon also asked me to express her deep thanks for all of the delicious meals and for all the support from friends and family.

Pictures from Devon’s 1st round of chemotherapy:

Trevor the Duck keeps Devo company and guides her down to the city for chemo.

Devon gets ready to start her chemo, which takes 2 days to complete.

Getting set up for day 1. Chemo this day takes 5 hours. She’s in the hospital from about 9am – 4pm. This is Devon’s nurse for this trip to BC Cancer Agency – Debbie.

Just chillin’ watching some Netflix.

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Embyr Susko made Devon this lovely bracelet for protection. Devon wears it on her left arm, which is the arm she gets her chemo in as her veins are better in this arm. Thanks, Embyr!

Selfie with Erin during chemo.

Chemo day 2 – Devon got her own room so Erin grabbed a chair to catch up on her jet lag.

Devon's friend, Debbie Blucke, visited her at the BC Cancer Agency on Devo's first day of chemo.

Debbie Blucke, a co-worker and friend from Club Intrawest, visited Devo at the BC Cancer Agency on day 1 of chemo. Debbie also kindly delivered a refreshing shake for Devo from her friend Tara Drury. Thanks, Debbie and Tara!

Post chemo photo op!

Patient parking only!

The beautiful flowers from Eric waiting for Devon when she got home after 3 days in the city. What a man! He loves her so much!

“As many of you from work, or anyone that entered my office, can attest my wall was filled with pictures of my family, friends & quotes. A few of them didn’t live & make it home due to the tape on the back ripping. It was a sad sad day – only teasin’. I now have them posted in our computer/sports storage room at home to comfort me. Check out Elvis up top, that’s my Dad doing what he loved – being Elvis.”

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Chemo day 1

Posted on June 26, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

Devon and Erin pose for a shot during chemo.

Devon has officially completed her first day of chemotherapy.

She did her blood work on Tuesday, which determines if she is able to continue with the chemo treatment the following 2 days. The blood work each month will be measured against her baseline study done just over a week ago. Her blood work came back good so she underwent the 5 hours of chemotherapy yesterday. Today, she undergoes another round and then will head home to rest.

Unfortunately, Devon is already experiencing side-effects from her treatment. These include, so far: sore throat, headache, exhaustion, pale colour, severe irritability, and she’s not hungry at all. She feels full all the time yet still needs to eat to keep her health and nutrition up.

Erin is with her in Vancouver and will drive her back to Whistler today (Thursday). Thank you for your prayers and support. We’ll see you at the Brewhouse fundraiser on July 9th.

The meal train is full at this time, however, more meal slots will be added this week once we get her following chemo schedule.

Chemo cocktails to take home. Thank you, Tara Drury, for the refreshing drink. And Thank you, Debbie Blucke, for delivering it.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged gifts for Devon, Treatment Days | 1 Comment

Subscribe today

Posted on June 21, 2014 by nomadicsamuels

Did you know you can SUBSCRIBE to this blog? Subscribing means anytime we post an update about Devo’s treatments this year, you’ll receive an email with the update!

While it may seem annoying to get yet another email in your inbox, this blog is the easiest way for Devon to communicate to friends and family both near and far about how she’s doing, feeling and what she might be needing to help her through the next few months.

So please subscribe to this blog today. It only takes a few seconds and you can do so by signing up in the right hand column.

Thanks!

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