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Please leave your words of encouragement for Dustan as he recovers from a stem cell transplant. We are asking for prayers of total healing for Dustan. Click on "comments" to leave your message.

Thanks goes out to John Liberty for an emotional, truthful, yet painful to read story in today's Kalamazoo Gazette. For those of you who don't live in the area here is the link to the article
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/07/the_return_of_dustan_colyer_pl.html
It was very hard for our entire family to read but yet it was a factual play by play of what we have been through over the last 8+ years and the incomprehensible blessings that God has bestowed on our family. It is not an easy thing to have your life in print, however, we feel the need to share what God has given us and to give other familys HOPE. Another opportunity to thank all of you who continue to pray for us and for Dustans continued health-prayer works!

Happy 4th of July to all! Dustan, Karey, and the girls went up north to the cottage for the weekend. I unfortunately couldn't get it off and had to work. Dustan has been catching fish all weekend or trying to at least, and I'm sure letting off fireworks. Everyone should look for the newspaper article that is suppose to be coming out about Dustan and his rock band (Kaos Redeemed) on July 9th in the Kalamazoo Gazette. I have all the faith in the world that John Liberty from the Gazette is doing a great article on the boys.

Last night at work was very busy for me and I had the opportunity to share Dustan's story with someone that was in their final moments of fighting cancer. I had an EMS call for a woman that was suffering from terminal cancer and was in a very sick state. I think she was just afraid of dying alone, therefore, she called 911. When I arrived I found a 60yr old woman, bald, about 80 lbs from the cancer beating her down, and laying flat on her back on her kitchen floor. She couldn't get up or move much, and wanted me to put her back on her couch. She told me she had stopped treatment about 2 weeks ago because there wasn't much success or chance that she was going to beat it or let alone live that much longer. This moment brought back a flood of memories of when I found Dustan unresponsive and not breathing, and I worked him furiously on the kitchen floor breathing for him, and crying on the phone with the 911 operator that my Son wasn't breathing, and then carrying my Son covered in blood to the ambulance just over 1 1/2 years ago. I couldn't help but tell her about Dustan, and then I picked her up of which was bone and skin, carrying her over to her couch where I laid her down. She told me she didn't want to call her hospice worker, and that she had been drinking all day plus smoking some of which I figured probably instigated her cancer in the first place. She gasped when I told her about Dustan, as though it was so wrong for someone so young to fight such a battle. It's never right in my mind! She knew she was going to die and spent probably her last day drinking and smoking all day. I know this is so unpolitically correct but when she told me she had been drinking all day I couldn't help but say, I don't blame you ma am and if I hadn't been working I probably would've had her pour me one and toasted her. She looked into my eyes and smiled as I laid her down knowing that I understood.

Dustan's tests came back clear today! It never gets easy trying to read the faces of the hospital staff as they look at Dustan's Xrays and Ultrasounds. Dustan and I both admitted today that we didn't get any sleep last night, and he stated after leaving the hospital today that he could check off one more thing of stress that he didn't have to worry about. He stated that with good results today at the hospital along with passing his driver's training test earlier in the week that his week was getting better. Yes, it's official we went to the Secretary of State this week and he got his driver's permit.

Happy Father's day! The day for us was spent at Lake Michigan. It was a good time and Dustan actually drove us home some. I don't belong in the back seat!!!!! I feel soooo out of control back there! There's so many Dads that I know that are spending this day thinking about their child who is no longer here because of cancer. If I could bottle watching and playing with my Son in Lake Michigan I wouldn't be able to put a price tag on it. I can't put a price tag on him driving me home. It's priceless! Dustan has tests on July 1st and we are praying for everything to be fine and ask everyone to join us in this. To those Dad's out there my heart is both filled with joy and heart ache today.

Dustan is finishing up his 9th grade year of High School. It's been a wonderful school year with very little hospital stays. He started the year with some real physical and mental challenges and his body was recovering and trying to heal. Academically has been a challenge with missing so much school over the years but we'll leave the all A's to his sister. He started the school year with a tube coming out of his back from his kidney and ones sticking out his chest, and most the Doctors felt we would never get rid of the tube coming out of his back or at least for a very long time. He has nothing but more scars now. I guess we all do in this house. I can't help but think of the song, "Tattoos and Scars" by Montgomery Gentry where the old WWII vet is talking to the young boy about his scars and not just the physical ones. Dustan continues with his booster shots and just sits there taking his multiple shots like it's nothing. He's been through so much physical pain that he's very tolerant of it, and during his last visit one of his sisters sat in trying to get him to flinch. His sister wasn't successful in her teasing. He continues to grow and put on weight. I can see it in his ankles, wrists, and bone structure that the big Dutch boy frame is starting to happen. Karey notices his voice starting to change a lot. The things that a lot of parents take for granted we take as blessings and pure joy. Sometimes a little "teenage back talk attitude" really isn't that bad to us, and he's always reminded that I will always be able to take him.

As posted earlier Dustan starts driver's training this week, and he's no stranger to driving already. June is going to be a busy month for him and his friends. We've had to cancel shows for his rock band, and it's funny when I tell promotion people that they can't play certain dates because they're all in driver's training. Dustan and his friends are really into this "Air soft" guns/war/army playing thing. I guess it's no different than when I was growing up and playing "war/army" in my backyard or woods with my friends. The only thing different now is the guns they get look and function like the real things compared to the ones I made out of wood growing up. Allowing boys to play men I guess....and yes I believe in boys playing war in the woods. It at least gets their butt outside, or I guess you could be sitting in a hospital bed wishing you could just go outside. Playing outdoors in the woods can bring poison ivy and Dustan is working a body full of it right now. You got to watch what leaves you camouflage yourself with:)

There's not a day in this house that we aren't networking, mentoring, counseling with, or praying for many families that we've grown to know battling this disease or have lost someone to it. Someone the other day was commenting on how I/We live so "spur of the moment, active, sometimes with risk, or simply not focused on tomorrow, or dwelling so much on the future..." This was a friend and the person told me they don't live like that...They couldn't. I could only smile and realize they couldn't understand. Another rock band that Dustan and I both like has a song out called, "If today was your last day."

Dustan continues to do fantastic, he has had no health concerns other than a runny nose!

We are working on getting the paperwork in for drivers training which will take place the month of June. This is very exciting and although I am thrilled he is able to do this, I'm concerned for his lack of patience. He is constantly telling me to drive faster, pass the car in front of me, and pull out instead of waiting for the oncoming car to pass. I feel for whomever will be teaching him :) thankfully it will take a couple years for him to receive his full driving priviledges.

Next Friday (5/8) Dustans band KAOS Redeemed will be performing in Otsego at the parking lot of Mi Ranchito Restaurant during the Otsego Bike Show. They are playing everything they know and whatever else they learn between now and then. :) They will be playing about an hour. There will be three youth bands playing from 4-10pm. Everyone is welcome-the event is free.

I was reminded that it was one year ago since we made the very difficult decision to leave U of Michigan and transfer Dustan back to Bronson. He hadn't made much progress and we felt like our options were running out. With a leap of faith, we asked to have him transfered. It was obviously the best decision we could have made and I give all credit to Jason for convincing me it was the right thing to do. Dustan improved dramatically after returning to Kalalamazoo being discharged only 10 days after the transfer. Gods blesssing continue to pour out and we give him all the glory. Please keep all the cancer warriors in your daily prayers. So many children continue to battle and we need to use every resource available to find a cure for this horrible disease.
kc

Dustan had tests this past week at Bronson Hospital. The ultrasound was good! He continues to put on weight with each visit and continues to stretch as well. We give thanks for these results.

MIRACLE DAY!!!!

We gathered around Dustans bed one year ago today and had the hospital chaplain bless him into heaven. The doctors had us say our goodbyes and then we made a very painful decision to keep him on life support and wait. Our other option was to unplug the machine- but to us that would be giving up. Wait, wait, wait.....little by little we watched the ventilator dial being turned down from it's highest possible setting. We waited...we held his hand and told him we believed he would be healed. His body overflowed "respitory distress syndrome" we were told. We prayed and waited and slowly hope was restored. The month following was still a very long and painful time of Dustan being on and off the ventilator and having to "relearn" how to breathe. But the miracle of him living through that night gave us a drive and determination to get him home. One year ago God granted us a miracle and it is still so fresh in our minds and we are humbled and blessed beyond our wildest imagination!!!

One year later Dustan is packing to go to Disney World with the PHS marching band!!! Amazing. They will be marching down Main Street at Magic Kingdom. We had to make reservations for this trip last year and we decided to take a leap of faith and sign him up. Jason agreed to chaperone in case Dustan needed any care while he was there. Of course, now he is 100% healthy and doesn't need his Dad along :) I hope the boys have fun and hopefully Jason can find some time to relax (he hates crowds).

Thank you for all the prayers and support we have received this last year. Without our friends and family, this last year would have been alot harder. It's so easy to think back and relive the hell we went through and I know it's not healthy to do that. We will keep our eyes forward on the future and yet be reminded every day of the blessings we have been given. Prayers for safety for the boys at Disney and great test results for upcoming scans mid April.
kc

Dustan continues to get more of his booster/baby shots. He had another series of them today. The nurse giving him shots today was treating him like he never had a needle in him. She didn't have any idea what he had been through, and Dustan told her that a few shots was no big deal compared to what he's been through.

He has spent a lot of time in the woods and the field behind the house lately working on clearing out some of the woods and picking up rocks out of the cornfield. He's been building some kinda of rock wall near his tree fort, and taking off in the 4X4 down the street or field. He's scheduled for tests in mid April. He obviously gets in a "zone" when he's out in the woods. His rock band has been working on recording a CD and preparing for a show in May.

He was concerned enough about his principal at high school to bring his name up for prayer at home. His principle was just diagnosed with advanced cancer and could use prayers of healing. We've been following many other Wilms families and ask prayers for: Hollyn, Hyla, Riley, Emily, Andrew, Tess, Ellie, and Meghan... Our prayer list continues to grow and sometimes seems overwhelming. The success and joys of these families is our success and joy. It's a very symbiotic relationship. We continue to pray for healing and continue to give thanks for the blessings. The weather has been nice the last couple of days, and it just seems that much more enjoyable to see Dustan outside working in it enjoying himself.

It's with much pride and pleasure that Karey, I, and the other parents announce that Dustan and his rock band, KAOS REDEEMED took 1st place in the battle of the bands Friday night! Dustan, Sean, Zach, Aaron, and yes Jordan worked their butts off for this! The boys were the youngest band to compete and went up against some very good established college aged guys with lots of talent. They played their hearts out and put on a good show! Not only did they rock late into the night, but three of them played Saturday in the High School Symphonic band festival changing their guitars and drum set for their Symphonic instruments, and further helping their High School Symphonic band get a #2 rating at the High School band festival. Along with all this Dustan tried out for the Wind Ensemble High School band next year and made the cuts. It's kinda like making Varsity. He was really stressed about this and was very happy that he made it in for Wind Ensemble percussion. He's really looking forward to his HS band trip to Florida over spring break.

The enjoyment and blessings seem bittersweet almost with guilt as I write this, and I think about the 3 kids that I have come to know that all passed away within the last two weeks from Wilms cancer. The parents of Chelsea, Haley, and Sigrid all would've done anything for their children to be blessed with Dustan's health. I think of the families that are currently going through BMT/stem cell transplants right now, and are experiencing the same thing Dustan and this family was last year at this time. We are their hope now and no doubt with God's purpose. We are blessed to be able to help, guide, mentor, and share faith with these families that are feeling so helpless right now just as we were at this time last year. Karey and I were recently asked to give testimony at church on the power prayer for an adult Sunday school class. How could we not?

Another milestone started last week for Dustan. He started to get re-vaccinated/baby shots/booster shots again. The transplant destroys all of your immunity made through your baby shots, and after a year post transplant if a patient is doing well they can start getting re-vaccinated. We are thankful to reach this milestone.

Dustan's CT scan showed no changes since the last one. This is good news and a blessing. His platelets were at 99,000. He continues to make them on his own very slowly, and he wouldn't have been able to do it without the 100's of transfusions that many of you donated to him. Thank you again! He's been off school for a few days battling what his sister had. I think he's slowly getting over the cough/crud... We don't have any visits until April with his local oncologist and U of M doesn't want to see him until next year.

I know many have been wondering how Dustan's tests went last week. We believe and have faith that Dustan is healed. You/we still worry. That's the human in us, and it doesn't get any easier. You just learn to live with it. We have to. Have you ever prayed until it hurts, or becomes every other breath of air? Many tests were done, and it does take some time to get all the results back. Does good news come fast or after a long wait, or is no news good news? We just ask everyone to continue to pray for a complete clear bill of health for Dustan, otherwise, Dustan is doing pretty much what every other teenager does? He went to the snow coming dance at school last weekend, and I don't think he ever lacks having someone to dance with. He's always been kind of a "chick magnet". He and his rock band buds are getting ready for the "battle of the bands" coming up at the end of this month, and if they keep themselves out of trouble their promoter has a couple more shows lined up for them in the spring.

I have been gone for a while and haven't been able to get on-line until this morning. I went through many emails and updates on many kids fighting cancer that I know that are not doing as well as Dustan. You can't help but to have a pit in your stomach and an ache in your heart for some of these other kids and their families. Here's just a few that could use specific prayers of healing and strength: Emily, Tess, Meghan, Riley, Adam, Andrew, Chelsea, Ellie, Sigrid, Hollyn, Hyla, and so many more. Give thanks for the many that are healed and continue to beat this like Dustan, and prayers for the families of the ones who have gone on. We know many of them as well, and their children will always be remembered by us.

On Sunday we all went skiing at the local ski lodge and Dustan got "creamed" by an out of control snowboarder. The slopes were very busy and Dustan never it saw coming. He got hit so hard it shattered his ski goggles right on his face. Thank God he was wearing a helmet. After getting hit, Dustan was very angry, upset, bruised, and his pride was hurt. He was angry and upset enough that he wanted to hurt the person who hit him as they didn't even stop or say sorry. I don't know where he gets his temper:) After checking him out and realizing he was just bruised up really bad, Karey and I made him ride up in the chair lift with us.

Before we got on the lift there was a Father in front of us with his son, and the son was severely disabled, couldn't walk, talk, sit up by himself at all. The Father had a ingenious sled fashioned where he wrapped his paralyzed son in it like a mummy. The child was strapped in it sitting up. The father had ropes attached to the sled, and when they got to the top of the hill he would steer his son down the hill by the ropes as he skied behind him. He steered his son like he was plowing a field with a set of draft horses. The child couldn't speak but gave a half smile of joy as his dad followed him down the hill. We had to wait longer when this man boarded the chair lift with his son as it took two grown men to secure the kid on the sled to the chair lift.

Dustan was so angry and upset he didn't even notice the scene in front of us. All the way up the slope Dustan fumed and stated he wanted to leave. I gave Dustan my goggles and finally told him, "Look you're alright, you're alive, it's no big deal, and you're not that kid up there in front of us." Karey looked at Dustan and said, "Son do you know what today is?" With a puzzled look received Karey told Dustan, "One year to this day you started your stem cell transplant." A feeling of joy was felt on my end of the chair lift that Dustan was even sitting in the lift with us at that moment. What a celebration of life in 0 temps, riding up a chair lift with Karey and Dustan, and riding behind a paralyzed child that was skiing with his dad.

I've seen a lot of bitterness and joy this week from both sides as this country gets a new president. As I saw the father at the ski lodge, and thought of the many parents I know that have a child battling cancer, the many I know that have lost a child to cancer, the pain, suffering, and joy this family has endured... I can't help but to think how small or large some people believe their world is or is not when it comes to politics. This country spends very little on research for pediatric cancer and illnesses. We spend billions and billions in other countries, on bail outs of large companies while many parents with sick children can't afford to pay their medical bills. Both President Bush and President Elect Obama are in favor of spending billions in other countries and if you haven't looked at how much they both were in favor of spending on pediatric cancer research... Then again it's just my small world. Blessed!

Dustan's tests came back today "normal". The xray, ultrasound, and labs looked good. The tests we're even better than last time pertaining to red blood cells. We're taking a breath of air and giving thanks to God for carrying us through this difficult week. We head back to U of M at the end of the month for many tests for the clinical trial.

This is a very hard day with the lost of another fine young man to Wilms. Matthew will always be a hero to us. My prayers for him have been faithful and frequent. He fought a long hard battle, and he's God's now. May his family have comfort and strength during this time.



www.caringbridge.org/canada/matthew/index.htm

We had a wonderful time skiing and snowmobiling "up north" the last few days. Dustan doesn't lack any ability or nerve to ski the steepest or fastest runs out there. We actually think his skiing ability has got a lot better this year. A far way to come for a boy that actually had to learn how to walk, talk, eat, and breathe again on his own this past year. As I watched him ski down a very challenging slope yesterday I couldn't help but think about him getting angry with Karey and I, and him crying with pain when we forced him to learn to walk again when he was in intensive care this past year and had a machine breathing for him. Skiing again was far from his mind back then and ours. He drove his own snowmobile down the trails out in the "sticks" at what was probably light speed trying to keep up with Dad who was in front of him. He commented how good it felt and powerful to have something so fast in his control. There's a lot power in knowing you control your life or death by riding something that can take it from you in a second. What was I going to tell him slow down or enjoy having a good time. Should I have told him that some things are just too dangerous in life. He deserved every bit to enjoy himself on this trip.

After posting yesterday I read many of my backed up emails, and we're asking for prayers for Riley and her complete healing.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas. There's so many people to say thank you to and happy holidays that Karey and I would be sending out 1000's of cards this year. Without all the support from all of you this year our family just wouldn't be complete. May God bless all with health and happiness.

We have all the gifts and presents that any parent would ever want, and we're very grateful and thankful. We are asking for continued prayers of healing for Dustan and Karey as we go into January with many tests and follow up visits. We are planning on going away for a few days during the kids Christmas break to take a ski trip as a family, one that we wanted to do last year, however, Dustan was hospitalized and we couldn't.

We are asking for everyone to realize the true meaning of Christmas and for prayers for the loss of a close friend of mine from work two days ago. Our family will miss "Crawdad" Kennedy very much, and his loss at 34 years old with a family left behind with a 9yr old and 5yr will weigh heavy on our hearts. A Christian brother in blue, a partner, a motorcycle riding bud, a soldier and servant to his country, a Police Officer, a fire fighter, and most of all a warrior that I would go into combat with, a "hot call", a "working job", or one that I would ride the shores of lake Michigan with any day. He will be missed this spring when I fire up the Harley and go for a ride. He served many without question and his humor, his joyful self, his strength, and his voice saying to me at work, "How's Dustan doing. How's my little man doing. I'm praying for him." will forever be etched in my mind. God bless him and his family. He's God's now without doubt. A warrior in heaven.

God bless all of you and Merry Christmas

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, the busyness of the holidays is upon us. Last night Dustan had his band concert and tonight is Leeahs concert. Jason got away last weekend to catch a Chicago Bears game with a buddy and this coming weekend we have Christmas parties and hopefully time to put up a tree! We also have been waiting to go skiing and may be able to fit that this in this weekend also. It feels great to be in the middle of activity! Jason was surprised by a co-worker who wants to work 12 hours of his 24 hour Christmas day shift. Thank you Laura, you have done so much for us and we sure didn't expect you or anyone else to do that.

Dustan had labs and a doctor appointment yesterday and he is still doing fantastic! The only medication he is still on is for his thyroid. His bladder is healing even more with only 3 red blood cells showing in the last culture-amazing. This is truly a miracle and we continue to thank God for it every day! Dustan has an ultrasound and chest x-ray early January with more thorough tests, CT, and blood work the end of January in Ann Arbor. We expect no problems and believe that God's healing hand has ended our struggle.

Thank you for keeping up with us and for continued prayers.
kc

One of the best Thanksgivings ever! We have so much to be thankful for.

We had a pretty good "deer opener". I've been able to put three deer in the freezer this year already. Dustan sat in the same tree as me and we saw many deer. It was pretty emotional for me to look down as the sun rose on opening day and see Dustan 5 feet below me with four deer standing 20 feet away from him. He obviously had his back turned to them, and I was struggling to not shoot first so he could get a shot. Needless to say those four deer are still running around in the woods. I couldn't help but think while I was sitting there of all the kids I know that passed away this year, and Dustan was out in the woods with me of which almost didn't come this past year when we almost lost him.

Dustan and I picked up our downhill skis from getting them sharpened and we're ready for skiing season. He's really looking forward to it, and he also stated that he's ready for some ice fishing and made sure I knew that the last couple years he wasn't able to get out on the ice. Many blessings and a lot thanks.

Life has been going pretty good for us right now. Karey has been healing up well, and Dustan has been living the "all American teenager life", girls, school, girls, his rock band, getting ready for d-hill skiing season, hunting season... We're blessed, and Dustan and I are looking forward to going deer hunting this week. The last couple years the fall season has been very hard on us to get into the woods with his relapses occurring in the fall. It's bittersweet; very good times made while hunting in the fall and some very painful memories flow during this time of year. I know and we currently have many kids on our prayer list that are in a hospital wishing they could be outdoors, and I know some that are now gone and have passed, and their families would do anything to go outdoors with them one more time. Every second doing something fun with your Children should be memories banked for a lifetime. They are with me.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Halloween Party on Friday night-and to all our friends who helped us with it. We had lots of fun and hope you did too (if you didn't come-you missed a great time!). The band did an awesome job, they even played The Monster Mash and let us old people dance. They are a talented group of boys and they got lots of compliments after the show. It went so well we might need to make it a yearly tradition :) Dustan wishes to let all the pretty young girls know that he's available again if anyone needs a young studly drummer for their trophy case! (Ok Dad put this one in).

Also great news on my behalf, my tests and pathology results from Tuesdays surgery were all clear. The scar on my leg will remind me to stay on top of any new moles or changes in my skin (and be better about wearing sunscreen). Thank you for all the encouraging words and prayers as I dealt with the emotional rollercoaster of the last 2 weeks.
kc

Today was Dustan's turn to go to the hospital for a check up with his oncologist and labs. It's become "who's turn it's to go to the hospital today" for me. I'm not complaining; it just would be nice to not have to go to the hospital all the time. It's better than living in there for months like we did this past year, or our son not being here. The staff at Bronson Hospital has always been great to us and Dustan, and today the conversation I had with the receptionist at out-patient testing reaffirmed it.

Dustan's platelets today were 80,000. That's nowhere near normal, but it's without having transfusions for quite awhile. Today we decided to stop his thyroid medicine per the doctor and us, and this means he's not on any medicine at all! This is a first in a long time, and it wasn't long ago we had flow charts and calenders just so I could figure out all his meds he was taking. Karey cleaned out some of our home health care supplies today (so much for her taking it easy today after having surgery). We had one room in our home that was filled with home health care stuff for Dustan, and to be able to get rid of some of it was great. Dustan's next scan and visit with his oncologist will be around the first of the year. He continues to heal slowly, but he's healing.

We continue to go forward with the "huge" Halloween party this Friday in our barn with live bands. Dustan and his bud's will be playing along with maybe a few surprise musicians/rockers. It will be loud, rock and roll, metal, and maybe a few ballads.... Again costume required, otherwise, you have to wear one of mine if you show up without.