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Monday, July 14, 2008

A simple way to help!

There is a young family in our town who have had a lot of problems thrown their way recently. Here is a little bit of their story:
Hello, My name is Kendrah DeYoung and thank-you for landing on our family blog:
I'm a 30 year old mother of 5 amazing children. My husband Brian and I have been married for nearly 10 years. We met shortly after he returned home from the Marine Corp - where he suffered a broken hip, pelvis, and multiple stress fractures to his feet.
Today, our children are Kennedy 9, Dawson 7, Cole 6, Aleigha 3, and Blake 2. Their energy keeps us on our toes. In Feb of 2007, I began working at Spectrum Health. Life was hectic, but fun.
God's plan for us changed on December 8, 2007. After punching into work, I went to sit in the break room and began reviewing medical charts. I remember starting to feel very tired, and can recall nothing again until December 20. After spending several days in the Intensive Care Unit, I was moved to a step-down unit. It was than that my friends and family began telling me what was happening. I was having over 50 unexplained seizures a day. They were initially treating me like a stroke patient. In ICU my initial prognosis was bad, I could not even share a nurse. I had a nurse with me for constant care/monitoring. While my husband was juggling 5 kids, his job, our bills - he was trying to stay with me as much as possible. I was than transferred to St. Mary's Hospital, because they have an entire floor dedicated to seizure patients. Several more tests, several additional hospital stays and we were told that I had a small tumor on the pituitary gland. Treatment started with Radiation, during that time my tumor unfortunately grew :(
My first day of radiation was late February. The same day, I tore my ACL in my knee. Requiring extensive knee reconstructive surgery. The surgery was performed in April.
There have been times, MANY times in fact..when I thought that going through all this crap wasn't worth it. I know how that sounds. But it is true. What has gotten us through this has been the support of family, friends, neighbors, church and COMPLETE strangers offering to help.
June 26, in a freak boating accident my husband injured his finger so bad that he had to have a 2.5 hour surgery to fix it. Even upon meeting with the surgeon recently he was told that amputating this finger (left ring) still may be in our near future. Since this injury, well actually since my diagnosis, my husband has battled his work for respect, time-off and to maintain his employment. If you are looking for something specifically to pray for, in addition to our full recovery, please pray at this time that Spartan Stores will find compassion and appreciation for an employee who has been there for 14 years.
We realize that life is full of challenges and ours are just beginning. We have learned to hug the ones we love a little longer and try to focus on the big picture. One big happy family! Our faith has been tried and tested but ultimately we realize that things are out of our control and we need to trust in our Lord. Please continue to visit and we welcome you to our little World.

I have been reading Kendrah's blog for a while but felt I should do more. Now there is an easy way to help them out. A Tastefully Simple consultant has offered to do an online sale with the profits going to the DeYoung family to go toward their medical bills. If you've never tried Tastefully Simple products, now is your chance. It's good - and simple! The products will be shipped to your home and they have a satisfaction guarantee! I recommend the beer bread. (and I don't even like beer) It goes together easily; only needs a can of beer ot soda and can be used as a dipping bread, toasted or as is - which is how we usually eat it. There are lots of other good things too. To check out the products or to place an order go here. Thanks for your help.



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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mari, that is so nice of you to do for her, what an amazing story, I will pray for them.

Amy said...

Mari,

I will keep this family in my prayers for sure. I will also order some stuff as I LOVE the beer bread and many more of their things.

Amy

Unknown said...

This family has sure had some trials that is so nice of you to do this. Put me down for two of the beer breads.I have tried to email you but my connections in the mountains has been poor. Thanks for the updates from work I did get them, sorry to hear about Andy, please give my condolences to his family. Hang in there, were heading home now.

Mike Golch said...

Mari, I will keep this family in my prayers.I ask that you and your eaders keep the family of Police Officer Joshua Mitarian of the Twinsburg PD Ohio.He was killed in the line of duty on Sunday.

Mike Golch said...

Mari,Just wanted to let you know that I posted on both of my sites about you story here and the need for prayers for this family.

Terri said...

That's a great way to help them out - there are a few things I could use from TS so I'll check it out!

Shelly said...

Thanks for sharing that story. We can count our blessings for sure. I will be praying for that family and I will order some stuff also. I have to think fo what I want.

Cheri said...

Wow- that is quite the road of trials that they have been on.
How have I not heard about this yet??
They are in my prayers.

Megan Cobb said...

Thanks for the opportunity, Mari. Y'all, the almond poundcake from Tastefully Simple is DELICIOUS and wonderful to have on hand to whip up for spur-of-the-moment entertaining or just a quick family treat. I also second Mari's Beer Bread recommendation. Also, check out their dip/seasoning blends - a little goes a long way and if you've got a box of beer bread mix, a dip mix and some sour cream and mayo on hand at all times, you are SET for a wonderful treat to take to parties or gatherings. YUM. Mama loves her some Tastefully Simple.

Rebekah said...

What an incredible story. You have a great big wonderful heart for thinking of them and posting this

Melissa said...

The DeYoungs actually live across the street from me, I didn't know that they keep a blog too! I will be praying for them, and thank you for sharing their story with us.

Grace Acres said...

wow what a touching story and I will check out the website and be praying for the family.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for doing this for them,they sure have had some very tough struggles. I have really been wanting some of that Tastefully Simple goodness! I miss that my neighbor doesn't sell it anymore.CB.Take care,Patty

Justabeachkat said...

Hi Mari

I'm been a bad blog friend. Because of this and that (medical stuff and family visiting), I haven't been by in awhile. I was shocked when I checked my Bloglines and saw I have missed over 10 of your posts. Unbelievable! Not to worry though...I'm caught up now. You've been a busy, busy girl!

I'll pray for this family.

Hugs!
Kat

He Knows My Name said...

hi mari, thanks for the comment. i'll be sure to order something to help this family out. i visited the website last night. EVERYTHING LOOKS SO YUMMY!!! i'll place an order for them soon.

two things...how is your son in the service and how's that kitchen comming?

~janel

Anonymous said...

Mari, Hello I'm Kendrah the one that you posted this for, THANK-YOU. Your kindess speaks so loudly I have enjoyed reading your blog the last few days. God Bless you and your family...and your poor kitty in a dress :)