On the First Day of Chemo...

The next day, David returned to the clinic for an injection to help boost his white blood cell count. Since it was the first time he'd been outside all day, we decided to make a little adventure out of it. We grabbed ice cream and headed off on one of our world-famous excursions.

I knew there was a newly opened man-made pond somewhere nearby, and I was determined to find it.

And we did!

It wasn't very big, but it was the perfect size, complete with a dock where we could sit quietly and enjoy each other's company.

When someone asked David how he was feeling, his exact response was:

"Like ass."

Honestly, that about sums it up.

I didn't realize how much a person could change in just 24 hours. His face already looks noticeably thinner.

David's Cancer Journey: Chemo Cycle 1, Days 1-3

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Today was David's first day of chemotherapy.

No amount of online research can prepare you for that first day.

Chemo started at 8:00 a.m., and David wasn't finished until around 5:30 p.m. We were the first to arrive and the last to leave.

To lighten the mood, I made up a song:

"On the first day of chemo, my true love gave to me... her undying love!"

It definitely got a smile out of him. Or maybe it was because I was so incredibly off-key.

Overall, David did pretty well. His legs became restless throughout the day, which the nurses said was likely caused by the steroids. We also brought along our lucky blanket, made by one of my dear friends. She currently has a 100% recovery rate for everyone she's made a blanket for, so we're putting a lot of faith in that statistic.

As expected with chemotherapy, David alternated between feeling hot and cold throughout the day.

I was able to sit with him until I left for work at 1:00 p.m. About two hours later, he called me, bored and going stir-crazy. I'm fortunate to work for an organization that truly prioritizes family. My boss practically forced me to go back and be by his side. I kept offering to stay and work, but she wasn't having it. Around the same time I returned to the clinic, my dad arrived and stayed with us for the rest of the day.

By the time we got home, it was obvious David was exhausted. Dad made dinner for us before heading home, which was greatly appreciated.

Things remained fairly calm until around 8:00 or 9:00 that evening, when the nausea finally hit and sent David to bed.

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Thursday, October 8, 2026

And that is absolutely okay with me.

True friends understand that right now we can't live day by day. Sometimes we have to live moment by moment.

David hasn't had much of an appetite for the past couple of weeks, but the oncology team continues to encourage him to eat and stay nourished.

We have so many amazing people in our corner who want to help in any way they can. Recently, someone graciously offered to organize a meal train for us. While that gesture means the world to us, the challenge is that David isn't eating much, and we never really know what will sound good or what he'll be able to keep down. As for me, I can make a kid's meal last two meals.

Because of that, we felt an Amazon Wishlist would be more practical for our situation. It allows us to stock up on some of the items David is using, eating, or craving as we navigate treatment, while still giving friends and family a way to support us.

To everyone who has checked in, prayed, sent messages, offered help, or simply thought of us, thank you. We are learning very quickly that cancer doesn't just affect the person diagnosed. It takes an entire village, and we are incredibly grateful for ours.

If you would like to show your support check out our how to help page!

When I say we are incredibly blessed to have our tribe, I mean every word of it. David went to school with Dane, who has gone on to become a successful entrepreneur, owner, and DJ of Beatus Entertainment.

Dane recently made a video for his followers, and I was honestly brought to tears by the gesture. Taking time out of his day to give us a shoutout and share ways people can support us right now means more than I can put into words. Moments like this remind us just how fortunate we are to have such an amazing community surrounding us with love and support.

Today is Day 3 of this chemo cycle. David is hoping to return to work tomorrow, although the nurses seem skeptical. He was extremely tired this morning and slept through most of the day.

One thing he has been able to tolerate is lemon-lime soda. I don't think I've ever seen anyone consume so much 7-Up in such a short amount of time. I've officially stocked up to make sure there's always some on hand.

We were supposed to attend a concert in Des Moines tonight with friends, but David simply isn't feeling up to it. I suspect this will be an ongoing reality for us. Plans will likely need to be changed, postponed, or canceled as we navigate this cancer journey.

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