Tears & Triumphs

Written by: Danielle (daughter-in-law)

 

Welcome Family and Friends!

 

Next June will mark the 10 year anniversary of hearing the news that our "crazy-haired Jesus loving" mom/grandma has cancer. We were told stage 4, but the type of cancer was promising. Carcinoid - very rare and very slow growing!

 

That day marked the beginning of many years to come filled with both tears and triumph. Hearing the word "cancer" was especially devastating for Perry, Val's husband. For Perry had lost his first wife Cheryl to cancer. This left him alone to raise their 6 year old daughter (Shawn) and 2 year old son (Jason). As you can imagine it was devastating for Perry and the Maurice, IA community of family and friends. But after a few years, Perry gave himself permission to fall in love again.

 

Val's radiating smile captured his heart and her love for Jesus was undeniable. Sure, she was 10 years younger but who cares? Not them! Soon they were married and had 4 more children (practically back to back). Welcome to the world Rachel, Jeremy, Tiffany and Alisha. Busy bunnies, they were! :)

 

Dairy cows, pigs, hauling propane and gymnastics became much of their life work. Siouxland Gymnastics was a second home. The Superstar Tumblebus a new treasured family business. 

 

The idea of a Tumblebus came to Val through a women's bible study. Perry shook his head while chuckling, but got to work serving his wife with the big heart he has. Ripping out seats, and installing ball pits, beams and swinging rings became his speciality.

 

Soon a school bus was now a mini traveling gymnastics facility fit for preschool children... a successful business to this day both in Sioux City and the Sioux Falls, SD area!

 

Overtime their 6 children grew up and married. Next Perry and Val found themselves with many jewels for their crowns. 12 to be exact. All who have grandmas big heart wrapped around their little fingers. In fact, one special finger stands out: the first finger holding an engagement ring. Amy (Shawn's daughter) will be getting married next September, 2022.

 

Which brings us back to the past 9.5 years since hearing the bad news. Lot's of triumphs to celebrate! Val and Perry have enjoyed vacationing together from camping, boating and destination getaways to enjoying winters in Arizona with their besties. Every summer is spent hosting sleepovers with the grandkids.

 

From horse riding and gardening to four-wheeling and fishing.... the adventures are truly endless. A zip line, trampolines, bunny rabbits and tire swings. Kitties born (too many to count) and roosters chasing the little kids out. It truly does go on and on at grandmas funny farm.

 

And then there's V.I.P., a life long dream come true! You may have seen her on the local news. The two love birds and their youngest daughter (Alisha) took the biggest leap of faith! They became new business owners of a full fledged gymnastics, ninja and cheer facility training toddlers to teens in Sioux City, IA.

 

Did we talk about Christmas? Can't miss Christmas... a treasured holiday for sure. Perry has become known for his Christmas light display, also making the local news. We look forward to seeing his lights one final time this Christmas. Be sure to make his display a part of your holiday celebration this year! You may even get to see Mrs. Clause (grandma) bustling around, ringing her bell and spreading the news of Jesus. That is, if she's not watching the hallmark channel... 

Let's move on to fun in the sun. Summer is by far Val's favorite season. She loves the lake with a passion and is still waterskiing to this day!

With summer comes the 4th of July - which marks Perry and Val's deep love and compassion for America. 

 

So, with that said. Looking back on the last 9.5 years have been quite amazing. 

 

Val, 64, has so much life to still live.  Amy's wedding, watching her grandkids grow up and taking the family to Mexico this winter... goals!  

45 years of marriage. Still much to do. But as I mentioned, the triumphs have come with tears. 

 

For years she's had monthly shots and MRI's. Chemo treatments and consultations. Biopsies, embolizations, radiation with isolation.

 

Emergency visits, medications... blood work done and complications. Did I mention a gall-bladder removed, Covid-19, pneumonia and nearly gangrene? All so much that most have not seen. As they say, Val carries it well.  But that doesn't mean it's not heavy.  Last week has been the heaviest of all.

 

On October 8, (2021), we received the devastating news that the cancer took on an aggressive state in the past 6 months. Even the docs are a bit baffled cuz it seemed out of character. This explained the worsening attacks, which have consisted of a racing heart, sweating, weakness, facial flushing, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, brain fog, etc.

 

The exhaustion, the pain, the sickness have been unbearable. Simple things like carrying a purse on her shoulder impossible. So ya, now we know why.

 

The most focused location has always been her liver. But they discovered it completely took over her liver, it's lining, entered into the bones and is in her shoulders.

 

This coming Friday (October 22) they will be doing more tests to find out exactly what we are facing. But we all know it's not looking good. I will create the first journal entry (caring bridge) after we hear those results on Friday.

 

With this being said, we felt it was time to begin a caring bridge /gofundme site. Honestly, this is long overdue, as the financial weight of medical bills for so many years has been heavy.

 

If you would rather VENMO you may: @Danielle-Dykstra-4.

 

In the meantime, enjoy some pics (in no particular order). If any of mom's siblings, neighbors, church friends , etc. have pics you would like to share, please send them to myself (Danielle). You can find me on facebook.

 

So many tears, but so much triumph! God is on his throne. HE has the final say. We will keep you posted!

 

With Love,

The Dykstra's