10.5.2008

A long, miserable night has taught us a very valuable lesson regarding taking numerous medications on an empty stomach. Dad ate a late lunch yesterday afternoon and was not hungry again before going to Priesthood; Dad usually takes his evening medications with dinner and his anti-nausea and chemo just before going to bed (they have to be taken on an empty stomach). His routine was broken up last night so he took all of his medications just before retiring for the evening, bad idea, he has mentioned several times today "I won't do that again".

Dad and the girls enjoyed french toast for breakfast , I arrived just in time to settle around another cozy fire to enjoy General Conference.


Marty and Teri prepared to drive back to Idaho following the morning session of conference, our fun weekend with them had come to an end far too quickly. Teri fixed a yummy lunch of and then they were on their way home. We are so grateful for this cute family and their tasty food, fun conversation, laughter, hard work, and Marty's completion of mom and dad's "Soney Do" list, now hurry back!

Jeff, Steph, Tucker, and Peyton stopped by in between conference sessions and took dad for a short ride in Steph's new car. Mom was able to return home early this afternoon to enjoy part of the final session of conference with dad, Dave and I.

Matt, Michele and their family arrived early this evening keeping their tradition of bringing in dinner for mom and dad after a long weekend of General Conference service. Our parents enjoy and appreciate this generous and sweet ritual, thank you Michele.

We have been richly blessed this weekend as we have received hope, love, gratitude, and strength from our leaders. There were numerous moments when our family felt that the past two days had been planned and executed just for us, evidences of this being true are:

1-We were admonished to live life more simply, to focus on things necessary for spiritual survival; we realigned our priorities September 6, 2008.
2-We were encouraged to be good neighbors and friends; we know how important good neighbors and friends are in challenging times, we thank each of you for being so incredibly "good".
3- We were reminded of the sacred ordinance of the sacrament; our burdens seems lighter through the promises of the Atonement
4- We were told to show love and compassion to all; through this trial we are developing greater compassion and understanding of those around us.
5- We were reminded of the importance of hope;“The brighter the hope — the greater our faith. The stronger our hope — the purer our charity,” President Uchtdorf
Ouf father is a great example of hope, strength and charity.
6-We know that we are surrounded by ministering angels; "Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that ‘angelic’ is the only word that comes to mind.” Elder Holland
7-We were encouraged to make our prayers more meaningful; we are aware of each and every prayer offered in behalf of our family. We are humbled, we are grateful.
8-We were asked to strive for unity; we have witnessed family, friends, ward members, and loved ones unite in our father's fight against cancer
9-We were urged to laugh; we find ourselves engaging in laughter more each day and we appreciate those in our lives who provide the opportunities.
10-Most importantly, we were instructed to take things "day by day"; we are learning to treasure and appreciate each minute, each hour, of each and every day.; this is our one and only chance.

10.4.2008

Mom left for Salt Lake bright and early today, she needed to be at the Conference Center by 6:00 a.m. Wet and chilly weather will keep dad inside today; he and the girls enjoyed a cozy fire, good food, and the morning session of General Conference.

Parker's Drive-In was today's choice for lunch, whenever the Idahoans are in town a stop at American Fork's favorite drive-in is a must. Dad will never turn down a steak sandwich; this very sandwich was dad's first meal after being discharged from the hospital.

Dave and Dad dressed in their Sunday best and drove out to the Ranches to attend General Priesthood Meeting with Matt, Cole, and Tanner, Dad was desirous of attending with the boys especially this being the first year in eight years that he has not been at the Conference Center and it was Tanner's first time attending since turning 12.

Prior to leaving dad sat down with Madi and Sammie for an afternoon snack of chocolate chip cookies and milk.

June 2008

Later this evening dad prepared his medications for the upcoming week, visited with family, received mom's report of the days events at the Conference Center, then went to bed exhausted. We have been blessed with another silver lined day.

10.3.2008

Marty took dad to radiation today, I met dad at his appointment so that we could walk over to the hospital for weekly blood work and a CT that his Neuro-Surgeon had ordered. I saw today for the first time one of the side effects of radiation we had been warned of; dad's scar appeared to be burned and blistered. Dad is faithfully applying vitamin E oil to his surgical site, he will now need to start applying a cream as well. Dad has been so blessed to have minimal side effects from the toxic treatments he is receiving. Despite hospital scheduling errors, registering mix up, poorly trained hospital employees, and a return visit to the hospital to complete the doctor's original orders; today was a good day.

Marty and his family chose to spend their Fall Break here in Utah, we could not be happier. Dad loves seeing his three beauties, Marty works hard around the house the entire time he is here, Teri cooks, cleans, and keeps us laughing. Our weekend is off to a great start. Marty is installing a new trailer hitch and electrical on dad's new little car so that he and mom can travel with the trailer. Marty and Teri also brought a new oven to install in mom's kitchen, mom is thrilled! McLean stopped by this evening before returning to Monterey, Ca.

Mom is preparing for long days at the Conference Center. This upcoming General Conference will be the first in eight years that dad has been home to watch with the family, we are looking forward to spending the weekend being uplifted, counseled, and enriched surrounded by those we love.

10.2.2008

No one knows the exact causes of brain tumors, there is little explanation as to why one individual develops a brain tumor and another does not. One thing that is very clear is that brain tumors are not contagious, no one can "catch" a tumor from another person.

There are some risk factors associated with an increased chance of developing a primary brain tumor:

Being Male-Generally speaking, brain tumors are more common in males than females. Meningiomas are more common in females.

Age-Most brain tumors are detected in people who are 70 years or older.

Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals in the work place.

Depending on the type of tumor and stage, patients may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy; this is the course of treatment dad is receiving.

During dad's post-op appointment with his neuro-surgeon we were informed that a good portion of dad's right frontal lobe had been removed during surgery. Knowledge of this helps us understand why his medical team is so impressed with his quick recovery. It is miraculous that dad maintains good balance, is able to hear out of his right ear, and that he is now finishing up week two of radiation and chemo well ahead of schedule. Technically speaking, dad should still be in rehab receiving daily physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Richard L. Evans once said this of our Father in Heaven:

"He will not leave you alone. The Lord God always compensates.

This you can count on."

The compensation we have been blessed with is at times beyond our comprehension. We are not alone and we know that our Father in Heaven is hearing and answering each prayer.

We must have courage during the great sorrows of our lives, and patience for the small and inconvenient ones, and when the day is through we can go to sleep in peace knowing that God is awake.

10.1.2008

If one did not know of dad's condition they would be shocked to learn of the challenges he has endured and the current ones he is embracing. We keep waiting for the hair loss, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and headaches that are supposed to accompany radiation and chemo treatments. So far so good, prayers are powerful.

Dad has a great team of doctors; his Neurosurgeon, Neuro-Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, and Cardiologist are definitely gifted in their individual areas. Even though our Father in Heaven has blessed each of these professionals with knowledge, guidance, and wisdom we know who the master physician is.

Dad's appointments with members of his team quickly fill up the weekly calendar but the most important appointments of all are when we communicate daily with the Lord. Each new day is evidence that with prayer strength follows. Dad's physical strength sustains him as he goes from appointment to appointment, dad's mental strength sustains him through the toxic effects of radiation and chemo, and dad's spiritual strength sustains each of us as our lives are being redefined.

Mom and Dad have enjoyed receiving cards and messages of love; they are read daily. Thank You. Please feel free to leave a comment or message for mom and dad as you visit this site.

9.30.2008

Dad and I met mom over at Dr. Gaufin's office this afternoon for dad's post surgery appointment. As the doctor was inquiring how dad was feeling I was recording dad's blood pressure and weight when dad exclaimed "I am marvelously well", my writing ceased and I just sat there staring at our extraordinary father.

mar·vel·ous also mar·vel·lous

1. Causing wonder or astonishment.
2. Miraculous; supernatural.
3. Of the highest or best kind or quality; first-rate:

How humbling this statement was coming from a man who has endured challenge after challenge posed by years of heart surgeries, congestive heart failure and now brain cancer.

As the appointment proceeded I kept looking at the doctor's face, several times he had a look of disbelief as dad answered his questions. The reactions dad continues to receive from members of his medical team are consistent; shock, amazement, and wonder. As dad informed his doctor of his daily exercise routine he was asked to please modify it somewhat and refrain from doing sit ups this soon after major brain surgery. Dad proceeded to explain that the types of sit ups he was doing were not strenuous, it was obvious that his physician was not accepting this and the next thing you know I had been asked to get up and move my chair. Dad then got down on the floor and began to exhibit his exercise technique, amazing.

Our father continues to demonstrate that he trusts our Heavenly Father with all of his heart and through this trust fears have been replaced with strength and peace.

I continue to learn valuable lessons on faith from my parents, I am seeing that faith enables us to: enjoy the peace that surrounds us and to not fear tomorrow, have the Holy Ghost with us at all times, witness miracles in our lives, have prayers answered, and to have our burdens lightened.

The challenge of tribulation is a refiner of our faith. The Lord said, "For after much tribulation comes the blessings." D&C 58:4

Our father is marvelous, he is causing wonder and astonishment to all those around him. We are witnessing miracles in our lives and we know it is due to the faith in all of the prayers heaven is receiving in behalf of our family. We are humbly grateful.

9.29.2008

Dad started week two of radiation today, he has arranged for some of the men in his ward to take him to his treatments for the next couple of days.

Following Dad's morning exercise routine he and Dave went for a walk outside. It feels good to take advantage of the beautiful Fall weather we are currently blessed with. Uncle David and Aunt Gayle came down from Park City to visit with mom and dad this evening. Dad continues to handle his radiation/chemo treatments well, he is our hero.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumor, since the brain is the body's center of thought, personality and emotion, brain tumors are often referred to as cancer of the soul-one that affects both the mind and soul.

When dad was initially diagnosed, my frantic Internet search began, I was determined to find a silver lining of hope despite this awful diagnosis. While my daily searching, researching and studies of GBM continue, the lining of hope I was looking for had been right before me the entire time. Doctors, promising treatments, testimonials, and stories from GBM survivors are helpful, comforting, and inspiring yet they are NOT our source of hope.

"May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Having an understanding and personal testimony of eternal life and the plan of salvation provides hope for each of us. Our Father in Heaven allowed this trial of dad's brain tumor to test our faith and belief in hope, as challenging as this trial is our parents continue to remain faithful to the Lord because they have a sure understanding that He is faithful to us. Dad exudes a spirit of hope and even though cancer has entered his brain he does not allow it to enter his soul.

Although the future is uncertain I am so thankful for the arrival of each new day; for they are wrapped in a silver lining.