Life Update + What’s Next
(pictured above)
Keith and I both had birthdays in the month of August!
I turned the big 5-0 and he turned 55!
Before I announce what’s next here at Women Living Well, I want to take a moment to share an update with you about my husband’s recent cancer diagnosis and subsequent kidney failure.
When I first shared this, we were still trying to take it all in—processing the news, meeting with doctors, and trying to figure out a treatment plan that would be effective to bring the disease burden in his body down.
The first 3 weeks of treatment (for Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma blood cancer – there are only 3 stages) were ineffective (which was scary) BUT now our specialist found the perfect quadruple treatment plan and it is working! 🙌 Praise the Lord!
So, since then, our days have found a new rhythm, though not an easy one. He is now on kidney dialysis three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Each session takes about four hours. This alone has made life difficult because he has had to change his diet completely (he misses so many of the foods he enjoyed) and due to the dialysis port being near his heart – he is no longer able to shower (so I have been washing his hair in the laundry tub).
And then there’s work. He’s not able to return because of the dialysis schedule and the many appointments—Tuesdays are usually for bloodwork and Thursdays for chemo and immunotherapy treatment which takes about four hours as well (not counting all the drive time). Our weeks feel full of medical appointments and though it’s exhausting, we are grateful for the care he is receiving.
He misses working. He misses the rhythm of normal life. We both do. My husband has always been so physical—he loves mowing the lawn, washing the cars, working with his hands. He still tries sometimes, just to feel like himself again, but it usually leaves him in pain afterward due to the lesions on his spine and the fevers that come from his chemo treatments. That’s been hard—for him, and for me, watching.
Even church looks different. Now that flu season has begun, his immune system can’t handle the risk. Watching from home didn’t feel the same, so we’ve started going back, but sitting out in the foyer instead of the sanctuary. It’s not quite what we’re used to—but just being in the Lord’s house, hearing the Word, and being near His people (even if it’s at a distance) feels like balm to our weary souls.
Some days, this all feels crushing. Other days, I see God’s mercies so clearly. There have been long days of waiting, hard conversations, and moments of fear. But when we open God’s Word, we remember—His strength is made perfect in our weakness. He truly is our refuge and our fortress, our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
👊 This I hold firmly to…
We don’t know what tomorrow will hold, but we know the One who holds tomorrow—and that gives us hope.
❤️ To those of you who have been praying for us, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your words, your prayers, your messages of encouragement have carried us more than you know. Please continue to pray: for wisdom as decisions are made, for strength for my husband as he goes through treatment, and for God’s peace to guard our hearts in the days ahead.
I will not make this ministry all about his cancer journey, but from time to time I will update you as I appreciate the way so many of you have come alongside us.
So, what’s next here at Women Living Well?
✍️ During treatments and my quiet times at home – I have been writing! ✍️
And so the study is completely written and I am ready to lead our annual 🍁 Making Your Home a Haven 🍁 Fall Study with ALL NEW CONTENT!!! 🤗
☕️ This study is for every woman who longs to slow her pace, quiet the noise, and find strength in meeting with God. Whether you are weary, worn, or simply thirsty for more of Him—this study is for you.
🎉 I’ll be announcing all the details here on the blog THIS Friday—so be watching for that post!
🧐 If you’d like an early peek, you can click 👀 [here] 👀 for a preview. I can’t wait to walk through this season together!
Keep walking with the King,
What a beautiful testimony of God’s faithfulness in your husbands suffering. I love that as the Body of Christ we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, some who are home with the Lord but you who are living, it’s so sweet to include us in your story.
Courtney,
Thank you for sharing your husband’s journey with us. I am the wife of an AML Leukemia survivor diagnosed Dec. 2023 and in remission since Sept. 2024. It is not an easy road, and blood cancers are so different from tumor cancers. I am with you about church not being the same. Now that my hubby is in remission, we do go to church but we wear masks to decrease germ exposure. Please know that from one blood cancer wife to another, I am praying for you and your husband, and I am lifting you up as his care supporter. Sending you both so much love,
Gillian
I will keep you and your husband in prayer. I’m in awe of your strong faith!
I don’t get on FB that much but just came across your post and was so thankful to get an update on your husband and how you both are doing. You both have been in my prayers and have been wondering how you both were doing. Praise God that Keith is doing better. I will continue to lift you both up in prayer. Thank you for the update. Happy belated birthday to you and Keith. 🎁🎉🎊🎂🎈😊🥰
I will be keeping you both in my prayers. I can’t imagine what you are going through right now but we serve a God that is our strength and Comfort. May God bless you both during this difficult journey!
Ann
Thank you for updating. Continues prayers for both of you as you move forward on this journey.
Continuing to pray for you and your husband as you travel this journey.
Thank you for your update. Ive been praying. My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and is 2.5 yrs into treatment, so I understand what you are going through, although no dialysis needed here. My heart and prayers are with you. 💜
Thank you so much for the update. It is reassuring to know that our prayers are being heard and are being interceded on your husband’s behalf. Will continue to pray for both of you.
Looking forward to whatever content you have for us. I look forward to it because I know that the Holy Spirit works through you so that you can bless us and help us to grow in the Lord. Much love from my house to yours. ~Michelel
God bless you both, we’re praying for you!! Thank you for this update! Please continue to share these updates because we need to know how to pray for you both and your family in this season! We are here and we love you! 💜
Praise God Courtney! I am so happy to hear this update and will continue to pray for you and your husband💜💜💜
If you only knew what watching you handle these past years of difficulty has meant to so many. Seeing you come through each time with God’s grace has been inspiring and encouraging to watch. You certainly haven’t had things easy, that’s for sure, but God has clearly brought you through. I have been praying for you and your dear husband. God has you both in the palm of his hand through all of this time of trial and difficulty. God is familiar with all your ways from sitting to standing, to everything else inbetween. Sending you both love and prayers. You sister in Christ, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
We will continue to pray. Our group is currently working through the Making Your Home a Haven 🍁 Fall Study from last fall. Perhaps, we can shift to this one next.
In this season, it is totally OK if you did not come out with a new study right now. Please take all the time you need to care for your husband, yourself and your own sphere. There is plenty of past studies we can do. Thank you for the updates. God is in it all even when it makes no sense. In Christ, Jen
Thank you for sharing your journey… this keep me courage… because my husband has Kidney disease…praying for my husband everyday God is a Healer
Continuing to pray for you and yours sweet friend. Love you. 🩵
How much will the study cost?
(((Oh Courtney))),
I am in the most difficult season of my life on every front. Estranged from family, adult children struggling with mental illness, my best friend died, and my husband, too, has cancer (just some of the stressors.)
I have been so discouraged. It SEEMS that others have it “all together” and that their lives aren’t nearly as hard.
But then God opens my eyes. I see you and others ALSO in the midst of it. God uses your story to speak light into mine by reminding me that I am NOT alone. Not in this life. Not in His realm. Thank you for being so raw and real and open. Your pain matters to many, and your impact is beyond what you may know.
Tell Keith that he is being bathed in prayer. God is for him and with him. I have been on the cancer journey for 8 years now with my husband (no he is not cured, nor in remission.) Anxiety visits often, but as you know, that means I lean into God SO much more. Leaning into Him on your behalf as well.
No matter what comes, it is WELL with our souls.
Broccoli Sprouts, Broccoli Sprouts, Broccoli Sprouts! God-given Anti “c” food.
Cellerciser! (Dave Hall)
http://www.ChrisBeatCancer.com
Best Wishes. Many Blessings and Much Love!
Praying for your husband and you and your family as you walk thru this journey. God is good and is holding you every step of the way. Thank you for your faithfulness and also your transparency that encourages me in my walk with the King❤️
Thank you for the update. Wow, I didn’t realize how time consuming the medical side of life is right now. I keep praying!
I’m praying for you guys.
Oh I know all too well the life you are living now…..
I pray for peace and patience needed to deal with caring for your sweet husband…and remember to let people take care of you too.