No news is good news...

It seems that I have been a little neglectful in updating the blog. Spare time, these days, is a rarity.  Do not worry members of Papas Army. No news is good news. I feel as though I report much of the same information so I hope that it is still helpful. I know how much he means to all of you or you wouldn’t be reading this. My dad has always been my hero. I have come to realize there is a lot of people that share my sentiments.  

So, last week was a good week (easy for me to say I am not the one being poked and prodded). Dad’s counts were up to their highest levels (high for him). He was able to receive round three of chemo. By time this is all said and done I am certain I will lose count of what number of treatment he has received. His counts stayed at a reasonable level so he only had to receive one treatment of white sauce (platelets).

The chemo seems to be harder on him physically with each round. I honestly can’t testify to that personally because whenever we are around he tries to act like he feels fine. My mom tells me that he gets tired, achy, and light headed. The nurses tell him to stay hydrated. He is pretty sure they are trying to drown him. The nurse was by today his counts were still up. No sauce today.

We had a beautiful Easter Sunday with the family.  Dad made sure he was still in charge of hiding the Easter eggs and the kids had a blast running around the pasture gathering the hidden plastic treasures. It was also a day of reflection and realizing how truly blessed we all are for our Saviors sacrifice…praise Him, love Him, thank Him. 

I recently had to take my boys in for a routine Dr. visit.  My six year old, Kwade, not only looks like his Papa but shares many of his personality traits. He is a thinker, and maybe a little bit of a worrier (thanks Grandma Amelia for sharing that), and very tender hearted. Kwade asked me how his Dr. knew so much. I told him she spent a lot of time in school reading and studying very hard. He responded, very matter of factly “Well, I’m happy Papa’s Dr. spent a lot of time studying in school too. That means she knows how to make him better”.  Yes, buddy, I am happy and thankful for that too! 

 

If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell.
-Lance Armstrong-

  

 

Some of the mighty egg hunters. 

Mikka & Ari, Grandma Paula & Kwincee, Big Papa, Cooper, Kwade, Kyle, Kolt, Trever

Hair today...gone tomorrow

Dad started losing some of his hair. He had cut it shorter in anticipation of it falling out. I didn’t notice it right away but he quietly pointed it out with a smile. He is as handsome as ever! I embrace his road to baldness because the hair falling out is a good sign that the chemo is working!

Another sign that the chemo is working…he developed a fever meaning another infection. After the chemo treatments he basically has no white blood cells. He can get infections from the slightest of things. This is a good thing, not the fever or infections, but the low white cells. Because it means that the chemo is doing its thing, killing everything, both bad and good.

As a result of the infection he spent the weekend in the loving care of the wonderful staff at the Huntsman Center. He is home now and feeling much better! He had his blood drawn today and his counts were high enough he did not have to make the trip to Salt Lake for blood or platelets. 

No red sauce today. While I am on the topic of red sauce (aka blood) thank you, people, for making red sauce and giving it away. If you are not one of those people who give away your red sauce, start now. You never know who it will benefit. My five year old nephew, and ruggedly handsome Dad, thank you too.

Round 2 ...

Dad received his second round of chemo. I find a small bit of irony in the fact that I found relief in hearing that he would be receiving the treatment…a big yahoo to him having toxic chemicals injected into his body! I am grateful that modern medicine has figured out a way to delivery these cancer fighting agents in just the right amounts to attack and kill the cancerous cells. Go chemo go…attack away!

We were unsure if he would receive treatment or not because of his low blood counts. When he arrived for his appointment, they ran some labs, and let him know they would go ahead as scheduled. He told me he had prayed the night before that he would be able receive the chemo. He said that was kind of a selfish prayer. I think it’s a-ok to be a little selfish right now. Round three will be in three weeks.

Today he and Mom headed back down for another round of platelets and a couple blood transfusions. They usually end up spending the day at The Huntsman. You don’t want to rush healing. Mom never complains. On the positive side they get to spend a lot of time together. This journey with “C” makes it a little hard to keep life as normal as possible. It doesn’t seem like it ever leaves your thoughts for very long.

 

I hope that the coming days and months find Dad feeling better in body and mind, and enjoying life. He is grateful for your friendship and support. It’s made these tough times something he can get through knowing that you are there. My eternal gratitude to you all! Keep him in your prayers.