What Great Things
Derek left the hospital for good on October 18, 1999, and returned to Boise.  He and Shelaine continued to live with Derek’s parents, Garold and LaNetta Maxfield, for another six months while Derek recuperated and then found employment as a computer programmer at Micron Technology in Boise.  They moved into a little two-bedroom apartment and began enjoying “normal” life.  Since doctors said that Derek’s chances of fathering children were very slim, Derek and Shelaine were thrilled when she became pregnant.  Elandon N’Chel Maxfield was born just thirteen months after Derek’s treatments ended.  She brought immediate joy and fulfillment into their lives as they put one chapter of their lives behind them and began raising a child.  Oncology doctors have become part of their lives again, however, as Elandon has a blood condition which requires frequent transfusions.   In May of 2001, Derek and Shelaine moved to Utah where Derek worked for a small software company in Salt Lake for three years.  They were blessed during this time with another daughter, Aleah LaNaya, with a unique birthdate of 03/03/03. Both Derek and Shelaine have had many opportunities to serve in various church callings and have made many friends in their West Jordan neighborhood.  They recently moved to Lehi, Utah, where Derek owns his own business as a software consultant.