Quick Update

We just want to give a pretty quick update on Bryant. Bryant had a rough night last week his second night with the pump that he has to wear home during treatment. The next day was very rough. When he went to the hospital the next day to get the pump off, they ended up giving him some IV fluids. That always makes a little difference. He is going through a lot of the side effects with this type of chemo.

Fortunately, we were able to make it to the beach. We felt like we needed to go while we have the chance during his 6 months of chemo before the chemo gets stronger.  Bryant, and we all, needed the mini getaway!

Please continue to keep Bryant in your prayers as he will start his next chemo treatment this coming week. We all dread these weeks, but it is in the hands of our savior. We continue to remember...

  

"So do not fear, for I am with you;  

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

                                   -Isaiah 41:10

So, I just wanted to post this picture of Bryant that I just quickly snapped at the beach. I love it. Funny thing is he had three buckets and three pairs of shoes in his hands as he was walking. I ended up just cropping it out, lol!

We really want to have a portrait session done of us together before to long. Something that will be special to us both.

A Calendar Change/Third Chemo Treatment

Bryant went to have his blood drawn on the 11th of June. His platelet levels were very low as well as his hemoglobin. Therefore, they canceled the chemo treatment and rescheduled it for the following week. He was a little distressed having to push a treatment back.

I took Bryant to his third chemo treatment on Tuesday, the 19th. This was the first time I was able to go as I have been with the kids. We are so thankful for a great baby sitter, Sydney. It was good to see what he goes through during this process, meet his Dr., nurses, and various staff as well as be with my husband during this. Bryant's white blood count was low this time, but they decided to still go forward with the treatment. Bryant was relieved he was getting treated. He did well the first night since he had an extra week off. The second day was pretty rough. He woke up and came over here for Bryson's birthday. I could tell he did not feel well. When he went back to get the pump taken off, he was suffering the side effects of the chemo. They went ahead and gave him IV fluids, which really helped.

We are staying positive and trusting in God. As his wife, I have never felt so close to him. I have never had anyone close to me get sick. It has been life changing for both of us. We do not take a day for granted. We have our moments, scared...not knowing what is ahead, but then we talk, we pray and trust in God.

Bryson made this for Bryant during his therapy appointment while Bryant was at his mom's house resting from chemo. He was so excited to give it to him....

Chemo Round Two

Hello All,

 Sorry for my lack of diligence on posting here. Life is such a roller coaster. To bring things up to speed, I had my first chemotherapy treatment on 5-15 at the Rex Cancer Center. The folks there are amazing. The entire staff are just delightful. All of us who are going through the door to receive our infusion can count on having a smiling face and a cheerful attitude from the entire staff. I am participating in 2 research studies, which require more blood draws, scans and time, but I want to help the next generation in any way I can. The first infusion lasted close to 5 hours as it was my first and the staff were very intentional in speaking with me throughout the entire process answering any questions I may have had and explaining what they were doing step by step. Once they had run all of the drugs into my port, they had to hook a pump device to a large bag of fluid (5FU chemo drug) and place it in a bag, which I have to wear over my shoulder ( its the size of a small fire extinguisher) for 2 more days as it slowly releases  the drug into my system. I can't unhook it at any time. I felt like I was being strangled a couple times in my sleep by the tubing. Its definitely not like snuggling with my wife. It also has an annoying sound as the pump injects the fluid  every 30 seconds (yes I timed it). So yeah, you can tell I am not to fond of the things that come along with chemo, but the purpose is to try and kill the cancerous cells that have spread in my system and defeat this disease so I'm gonna roll with it. I go in at 10:40 am tomorrow...so round 2 here I come!

I have had so much support from my family, my church, and friends. I love you all and thank you so much for your prayers and well wishes for me and my family. From 2-29-12 these events have taken place: 2/12- totaled my truck, 3/29-diagnosed with cancer 4/12 surgery 5/7 port surgery 5/15-#1 chemo treatment. I could wallow in pity or anger for this yet in such a time God is reassuring me of who He is and His promises to us through prayer and reading the bible. That is usually provoked by one of you guys checking in on me via faceook/ email/ phone whatever and its so good. Thanks again to you all!!!!

UNC Appt. Today

 Howdy folks! I hope this post finds you all doing well. I wanted to give an update for all of my amazing friends and family standing with me, walking with me me, and following me as I battle with cancer through this season of my life. Today made 18 days out of surgery and I feel good. I am close to figuring out how to eat meal containing the right food groups that will give me the nutrition I need but in smaller quantities. I seem to do better with 5 or so smaller meals a Day than the normal 3 meals per day.

 The doctor said the incision looked great, no lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the next 6 weeks. Kind of tough when you have 3 kids under 5 that want to be held, and let you pick them up and fly them through the air like super hero's and a 15 year old giant that wants to shoot hoops or wrestle me. I LOOSE THAT ONE!! That is really the toughest stuff I deal with. It may seem insignificant but I challenge any of you reading this to wake up tomorrow and tell your kids like I did " daddy has a bad boo boo and he cant pick you up for a while". That's the only thing I wanted to tell them. We decided not to mention the word cancer to our children until them had more questions. The live your life without being able to pick up your child whatever its age birth to 5 years old. I didn't realize how much time my kids spent in my arms whatever the reason for love, discipline, scared, sick, sad, etc. Everyday when I would walk thru ours door at home the kids would all stop in their tracks, look toward the door and see me, then yell out "DADDY" and they would then attempt a gang hug which usually ended up a gang tackle and it was beautiful to do everyday til we separated. Long story short, its tough not being able to hug my kids small to big. I love them all so much and they have all been awesome to me through this whole thing from the innocence of the twins not knowing a thing to the heart warming concern and love that my oldest Stone has given me. I never thought about the fact that I might need my kids to be a source of strength for me to draw on as I'm the dad that's my job, yet all of my kids have stepped into shadows of doubt, thoughts of fear and given their dad the big picture and shed light on darkness caused by the cancer. Our kids are amazing.

 I will be going to Raleigh Medical Oncology Group on Wednesday for my first appointment with the oncologist whom I will be working with to begin chemotherapy. His name is Jeremiah Boles. He is supposed to be a top notch guy and actually worked with my surgeon before moving to this other position. This will be what they call the consultation meeting which will allow him to describe to me the chemotherapy as he wishes to administer to me and the particulars involved in the therapy. Not sure of the time frame in which I start from the time of this meeting til start of chemotherapy, but I'm ready. Stay tuned! Thanks to you all for your prayers and well wishes. I have the best friends and family ever. I'm so blessed thanks to you all!!!!!!

Finally Home

Home Sweet Home..... So good to be home!!! I got in yesterday after my dad and Kitty came to haul me away from UNC hospital to my mom and step dads home in North Hills area to do my recuperating from the surgery. The surgery procedure went very well, however it did uncover the the cancer has made it into the lymph node system. At this point they have confirmed that 3 out of 5 lymph nodes have cancerous cells and, therefore, I will be starting chemotherapy as soon as I am strong enough more than likely 4 weeks.  It wasn't the news I wanted to hear, never the less, it is what hand I have been dealt. Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. I am looking forward to visiting with my lil kids tomorrow. I haven't seen then in almost 2 weeks so its going to be great. Just gotta figure out how to let them know daddy isn't the human trampoline that he has been in the past. I'm sure we will figure it all out thru many laughs , smiles and giggles :-) Got to see their big brother when I got home which made it a great homecoming in itself.  Please keep the prayers coming! They mean more than you know!!!! When I concentrate on your prayers and messages, emails or phone calls that I have received, my heart  feels better, my tears lighten. When I step out of the way and quit trying to figure out why this happened to me and just stop, and let God speak His perfect peace, it is at that time that I get that comfort that only He can give.

Blessings to you, This Pearce Family


  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!!! Phil. 4:13

Headed to UNC Hospital......

Headed to UNC Hospital......

Greetings family, friends, and to all who make it to this blog. On March 29th, my life changed forever once my doctor came into the room with results and a different look on his face. It was then that he told me I have colon cancer. Unless you have ever had a diagnosis of an illness that can kill you or has taken the life of someone you know or love, you cant imagine how devistated you feel at that moment. Yes, your life flashes before your eyes, and all I could think about was am I going to die and not see my kids grow up, will their mother and my wife be ok, will I ever feel true love again, who is going to help me through this. Thankfully, I have an amazing family that rallies around me and helps me face all things with  hope and love. I love them all so very much! With them, and our awesome Heavenly Father, I will make it through this battle and come out the other side a stronger man. I have had a good life since I can remember. I was raised to not lie, cheat, steal, murder, covet you know the things covered on the stone tablets Moses brought down from his mountain visit with God. I was taught moral and ethical standards by loving parents as a child and they continue to instill those very same things in me by living their lives in front of as they do. I love my parents for so many reasons.They have always shown me and my family unconditional love. Their love and support of me personal through my entire life has been far beyond what I feel I deserve at times. With their love and support as well as the love from others in my life I have found that I can exist exist in this life with all of its struggles and blessings and have joy and peace everlasting. The reason for this is only possible because I have found and partaken of the greatest gift there has ever been made available to all humans no matter your race , creed nor color. I'm even gonna share it with ya cause it can provide everyone that offers complete surrender of their life and committs mind, body, soul and spirit, their entire being, they will find what I have . His name is Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, King of Kings, Lord, Heavenly Father, Counselor, Comforter ..... The list goes on and every name has such substance and meaning to you when you know Him. He saved my life!!!! He is my everything before all things!!! He will give me comfort and peace when I feels as I have no more. He will be my strength in my weakest moments. Most importantly of all He will answer my prayers. I want to share with you all my greatest prayer needs so if you would like to pray for me you can be specific. I pray He will bless all of you that take the time to lift me up in prayer. I pray that He will give my parents strength and peace and lastly I pray that He would be with the surgical team who will be performing the surgical procedure as they hopefully remove this cancer from my body so I may rejoin my family with a good report knowing that I will have many years to love my family more and mend the fences that are broken. Thanks in advance for all of the love everyone has shown and the blog will be updated regularly so I can let you all know whats going on.

Love to all,
This Pearce Family