Danielle McDevitt vs. Cancer

Thank you to all who have supported my sister and for praying for her. Here are the most recent updates from her husband, Aaron.

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Tuesday, 8/30/2016 5:30am - After a long night, her nausea and pain seem to finally be in check around 0500. It was about 0530 in this picture. She finally fell asleep without a look of pain/distress on her face. ❤️
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Monday (night) 8/29/2016 8:38pm - What a day. Here’s the recap…

1. All was done laparoscopically. Small incisions, minimally invasive and a faster recovery. Couldn’t have asked for a better outcome

Grade: A+.

2. No stoma! Doctor said the size and position of the tumor (in addition to young healthy tissue) allowed for a great resection. So, no cholostomy bag. Yay!

Grade: A+

3. Tumor appears to be contained. The doctor said “visually” it did not appear the tumor had breached the wall of the colon. Pathology will hopefully confirm this but so far this “appears” to be the case.

Grade: A+

4. I am bedside writing this quick update. The doctor is very pleased but she did say that this procedure (for Danielle) is comparable to being hit by a truck. She’s so little. Balancing her pain with pain medication has been tricky. She’s had a rough go transitioning out of anesthesia after she got to her room. Said to expect a long night. Please hear above all that our prayers are being heard and answered exceedingly and abundantly. It’s just hard watching. It’s a helpless and agonizing feeling for me. Even as she sleeps, her face is distressed. She is in pain and nothing but time can make this better. Before today, I’ve never thought it was physically possible to hurt seeing someone else in pain. It is. What I would give to trade places with her…

Grade: Incomplete

So I told her I was posting an update. I asked if she’d like me to say anything to all of you. After a brief pause, (and with her eyes closed) this was her response.

Her: My ankles are ringing.

Me: Your ankles?

Her: “nods”

Me: Are ringing?

Her: “nods again”

Me: hmm

Her: Well… I guess they’re vibrating.

Me: *kisses forehead* Goodnight baby, I love you.

Goodnight from room 381

Love to all,

Aaron

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Hi, I'm Debi. Three months ago, my mother passed away after a 5 year battle with colon cancer. Last week, the unthinkable happened...my sister, Danielle McDevitt, was also diagnosed with colon cancer. She's only 48 years old, has 2 young daughters, Elle & Emma along with her husband, Aaron. Danielle is a self-employed, hairdresser with no disability insurance, so Aaron has picked up overtime at the VA hospital where he works.  
I'm rallying together some ways to help Danielle and her family, as they are going to have a long road ahead of them with treatment, surgery and medical expenses.

We started two fundraisers:

First, we launched a local succulent garden & DIY bar in the yard adjacent to my store in Solana Beach called "Seed Faith Gardens", in her honor. We hope this will be a place to encourage others who are walking through hard circumstances too. If you live local and want to donate succulents, cuttings, soil or planting containers, all proceeds from the sales will go to the family.

Second, we started this "GoFundMe" page for those of you who simply want to help her financially. No amount is too small.

If you donate to charitable causes, please consider my sweet sister, Danielle and her beautiful family. Your generousity and prayers are very much appreciated.

Thank you.

If you'd like to follow her journey as she fights this cancer, she is posting updates on her blog, to share her hope with others www.dbythesea.wordpress.com

You can also follow the progress of the new garden on Facebook and my blog as well! We will be posting lots of photos and videos, https://www.facebook.com/SeedFaithGardens and  http://debisdesigndiary.com/blog/

Thank you and God bless you.
Debi Beard
Debisdesigndiary.com