Saturday, July 25, 2009

5K Community Run

We are very grateful for the class of 1999 for their concern and consideration. They have, on behalf of my husband organized the following.

A 5K Community Run... August 15, 2009 (Saturday)

I received an email from Karisa (Parish) Hillman, (1999 graduate) who is one of the dear friends who is organizing this 5K Run.

Sayda,

This is what I came up with for virtual walkers: (or walkers who won't be able to be here but that want to participate) Register for walk using burley99.blogspot.com, Pay an additional $3 for shipping and include mailing address. We'll ship the shirt out as soon as they are printed so they can be involved in the walk too.

Also, could you make mention of the event on your and Mr. Call's blogs, with a link to the registration:

(Mr. Call Fun Run)

For local people, register at Donnelly Sports.


A post from me dated April 30, 2009.

A tribute to you, my love!

I have the greatest husband a wife could ever ask for. I don't know if I can express the admiration I have for such a wonderful man in this short tribute to him.

He is indestructible and so full of strength! He has the funniest sense of humor even when times get tough. He would do anything for anyone of us and never expect anything in return. He has always worked so hard... not so that he can drive a brand new car or wear stylish clothing, but to take care of his family. He has a drive for live that I can only dream of.

Because of his strength and courage, he has been able to withstand the test of time.

On January the 3rd 2009, (his 51st birthday) he had an MRI done because we noticed a mass on his right thigh. On the 5th, our whole world was turned upside down when we received some of the worst news ever. This great husband of mine, who I mentioned is indestructible, was diagnosed with cancer on his right thigh. Myxoid lipo sarcoma is the name of this demon. The demon that shatters so many families into a million pieces. The demon that takes so many lives, even the lives of little children. The demon that causes so much pain and suffering.

He started radiation in January to shrink the tumor before surgery. He had a 7 hour surgery to remove the tumor in April. He went back to Huntsman twice after his surgery because of two bad infections around his incision site. He finally came home and was being treated with IV antibiotics five times a day for weeks and weeks. Even though they did find some positive margins around the sciatic nerve and wanted to do another round of radiation, they think that further radiation would only hurt his leg because of the condition it is in. Instead, they will be watching those positive margins closely.

Throughout the most trying time of his life, he has insisted on working. He has even been directing a play on the side. He is as amazing as ever! Not a single day has gone by where he has ever doubted that all this will be over soon and that he will beat this. Not a single day has gone by where he ever pitied himself. His motto has been, "Let's do it!"

Quite frankly, I have never seen anyone trying to overcome and illness like this with such grace. The year 2009 has been a tough year for all of us, especially him.
Because of Dad, I've learned to stay strong and be positive during difficult times.
He has been our ROCK throughout this ordeal.

(07/24/09) HEALING PROCESS

The healing process continues. The roughest part is the radiation fatigue and wondering if he will be ready to return to work when school starts. Considering the alternative, we can get through this. They will scan him every three months for two years to make sure that tumors have not spread any where else. The first scan will take place next month, in August.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Update

Sorry that I have not kept this blog updated. For all updates, please see:

www.saydasjournal.blogspot.com

My mom does a great job of updating regularly (and with pictures). Here's the most recent update:

NEWS
We heard from the doctor today.
He wants Dick to stop all his
antibiotics on Sunday night.
I'm torn between being happy that he
won't have IV's hooked up to
him all the time and being
scared about what the results
could bring.

To all who have been following Dick's progress...
please keep him in your prayers
that his infection won't flare up.
If it does, he will need another surgery.
We are so ready to put an
end to this, especially my dear husband.

We love and appreciate all of you
who have kept him in your prayers.
We also appreciate all the words of encouragement.
We will keep everyone posted.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Update From Mom:

Dad went for his follow up appointment last Wednesday. The Surgeon wasn't able to pull the JP tubes out because they are still draining. We go back in a week and a half.

The oncologist told us that the pathology report showed some positive microscopic margins around the sciatic nerve. She told us it is not part of the tumor but it did show positive so that he will need 8 more treatments of radiation. She is also hoping the radiation to the nerve won't cause any damage to the nerve. Dad wasn't too happy about that. He wants everything to say it's negative! He also only has 10 more days of sick leave and isn't feeling strong enough to do a full day of work. (He wants to and he tries, but he just can't) He is feeling like he has to go back this week full time. We are getting him a wheel chair where he can sit and elevate his leg. That might help him.



During surgery, we all got LIVESTRONG bracelets. We are still wearing them faithfully for Dad and ALL who have cancer. (Notice our bracelets in the picture.)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Update from Dad:

Wow, Wow, Wow.

I am so blessed to have all of you in my life, and especially my dear wife Sayda. I keep thinking how I am so unworthy of such a blessing. Then I remember what deserving people have gotten me down this path. Your prayers and positive energy have really healed me along. One of those blessings is placing brilliant Doctors in my path.

(Thought) Just before they wheeled me down to surgery. I looked at the guy who puts you down to sleep (I can’t spell anesthesiologist), and Doctor Jones and said, “Just checking one more time. You guys have done this before right?" I could see Dr. Jones smiling under the mask. Gotta go with a smile on your face.

I need to be brief. It has taken me 30 minutes to type this. I just needed to thank all of you for making this happen for me and my kido. (Sayda , my wife is kido if you don’t know) . Without her this journey never would have happened. She has been my strength and by my side every step of the way. And none of you know the Hell I have put her through. She has only told you of the ups and has burdened the lows all by herself. She is my tower, she is my life. Ok I will stop now. I can’t see the freaking keyboard. My eyes are full along with my heart my love. Thank you for being ………………everything. And to all of my beautiful children thank you. To my family, extended family, friends all of you even Kellen’s voodoo bones, thanks for getting your prayers answered. Thank you Father above.

Papa Bear

Friday, April 3, 2009

Miracles do Happen!

SURGERY IS OVER! HE SAVED THE SCIATIC NERVE!
AT 3:50, THE SURGEON CAME OUT AND TALKED TO US. AS HE WENT IN TO SURGERY, HE TOLD US THAT THE CHANCES OF SAVING HIS NERVE WERE LESS THAN 5%, AND MOST LIKELY IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. AFTER SURGERY, HE CAME OUT AND SAID THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SAVE IT. HE REALLY FELT LIKE THIS WAS A MIRACLE.
WHAT IS SO AMAZING, IS THAT UP TO THE VERY LAST MINUTE DICK NEVER LOST HOPE. RIGHT BEFORE THEY WHEELED HIM INTO THE O.R. HE MADE SURE THAT THE SURGEON WOULD TRY TO SAVE THE NERVE. THE DOCTOR MADE IT CLEAR THAT HIS FIRST PRIORITY WAS TO REMOVE THE CANCER, BUT HE WOULD DO ANYTHING HE COULD.
THROUGH DICK'S FAITH AND THE FAITH AND PRAYERS OF ALL OF YOU THIS MIRACLE HAPPENED. HE'LL HAVE A BIT OF A RECOVERY, AND THEY DID REMOVE SOME MUSCLE (NOT TO MENTION AN ENORMOUS TUMOR). HIS INCISION IS ABOUT 1 AND A QUARTER FEET LONG FROM THE BACK OF HIS KNEE TO THE TOP OF HIS THIGH.
WHEN DICK WOKE UP, THE SURGEON TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE NERVE. DICK GROGILY RESPONDED, "CAN I KISS YOU?" THE DOCTOR LAUGHED AND SAID, "NO, I HAVE A MASK."
WE HAVEN'T SEEN HIM YET, BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SOON.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! WE CAN'T EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE WE FEEL TO ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND EXTEND FAMILY (THIS INCLUDES YOU!) WHO HAVE BEEN WITH US IN PERSON AND IN SPIRIT THROUGH THIS JOURNEY!

Update from Mom:

Yesterday we arrived in SLC for his pre-op visit. They did some lab, an EKG, and we visited with anesthesia. After that we headed to the hotel. It's only about a mile from Huntsman. Dad and Anson went to look at some El Camino's. (That's the first car Anson wants when he can drive.) Then they went to get Richie and Sissy at the airport. Aubrey and I stayed behind because there was not enough room in the car for all of us.
It was so good to see our older children. I am so glad they came. We went to get a bite for dinner and then hurried back to the hotel to call Kellan. Kellan and Riche gave dad a blessing. It was so neat to see these two great men give dad a blessing. Kellan served a mission with dad in Texas over 30 years ago. Dad has always thought the world of Kellan. We have so many memories of when they were both at Utah State, after their missions. It was so amazing to see my oldest son give his father a blessing. To know that our son is following the teachings of Jesus and is living in accordance means the world to me. It was a beautiful blessing and it really comforted Dick.
Bree and Travis showed up at the hotel this morning at 6:30. We left the hotel at 7:15 am. Dad had to check in the hospital at 7:30 am. They let all of our children come with us to his pre-op room while they admitted him. The surgeon met all of our children and the kids felt good about the man that would be performing the surgery.

Thursday... Pre-op visit

Aubrey went for a swim while dad and Anson went to get the older kids at the airport.
Dad and Richie hugging after the blessing.
Sister's home!!!
Thanks Kellan. We love you!!!
Friday... This morning at the hospital.
Dad was showing them his leg, but instead accidently exposed himself. What can I say... my girls freaked out. You can see little Aubrey's hand to the far left.
Those hospital gowns!
In dad's room. Waiting to be taken to surgery.
Doesn't he look cute?
There goes my sweetheart. He was actually singing... "I love a parade."
We all gave him some great big hugs before they took him. I could tell he was trying to be so brave. When little Aubrey fell apart, his eyes filled up with tears, so did everyone else's eyes.

They told us his surgery would take 6 - 8 hours long, so that we could leave and come back. They took him at 8:30 am. We have all decided to wait here. There is a big computer lab here, so I thought I'd do some blogging to take my mind of what's going on in surgery. Oh how I miss him and have him in my thoughts as I do this. My heart was ripped out of me as he waved good bye and as I saw all my children there trying to be strong.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Update From Papa Bear:


"Well helloooooooooooo laa la laa la laa,

My surgery is scheduled for Friday, April 3rd. Friday is just around the corner, or should I say just a skip down the road. I might as well skip while I can. I’m not in denial; I just don’t see the point of dwelling on it.

So my musical (Chaps) is on schedule. The cast is a lot of fun and Deborah Jones is great. It opens on May 7th. We rehearse every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It will all take place at the Burley Theater again. I love that old theater!

We just came home from District Speech and the students did great. A couple of 1sts and several qualified for State. State is on April 17th so I need to be ready to travel by April 12th. It is great being back to work. I will miss it again. The time I get to be with Sayda and my kids is what makes this all bearable.

Our dear friend Eileen (Sayda says I should say Dr. Eileen Frelier) has helped us a lot through these tough times. I wish she could be here to be my internist. I am so grateful for everyone’s support and everyone’s prayers."

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Family time, good friends, doctors, good news, and bad news.

Posted by Mom:

We went to Utah for two days. Dick had his "yearly diabetic eye exam" on the 17th, St. Patrick's Day. Good news at that doctors office! (NO DIABETIC RETINOPATHY) After the doctors appointment, we went to Golden Corral. Everyone was instructed to get all green food on our first serving. The plate that had the most green would be the winner. (PRIZE: $20.00) I lost because I put some white ranch drsg. on my salad. After a late lunch we headed to The Wagstaff's. We just love this family. They are so hospitable. Edye was so excited about her new Trivial Pursuit Wii game, that she had to play it. While they played, I blogged. That game makes me feel so stupid because I never know the answers. Then Edye played the piano and sang a song just for me. The kids had a great time with Ruby, Vosco, and all the neighborhood friends. I think that it is so neat how all their neighborhood friends know Anson and Aubrey. When they see me they always ask... "When are we going to see Anson and Aubrey again?" We spent the night there and next day we headed to Huntsman.

We were there all day! Dad had some blood work and an MRI. Then he had a chest CT. These almost took all day. We visited with the surgeon that will remove the tumor after he reviewed the MRI. He told us there was some good news and bad news. The good news is that the tumor did shrink a lot and that the spot that was on Dick's lung, when they did the first chest CT had not changed so he was almost positive it had nothing to do with cancer.

The bad news was that the tumor is still wrapped around the sciatic nerve and it didn't release after all the radiation. He told us there was 3 options. 1st option... Amputation from the hip down and that he didn't want to go there. 2nd option... Scraping the cancer off the nerve. He told us that he didn't want to do this, but he would do it if this was the option Dick chose. This would leave him with full use of the leg but the risk of getting cancer back was 60%. If he would get a recurrence of cancer on this leg again, he would have to amputate because the cancer would not be contained in the muscle anymore, it would be all over his leg. 3rd option... To remove the sciatic nerve, which the recurrence of cancer would be less than 10%. With this option, Dick would loose the use of his leg from the knee down and he will have to use a brace for the rest of his life. He will have to go to physical therapy and learn to walk again because he won't have sensation from his knee down. The reason for the brace is that his foot mainly, would just flop because he won't be able to bend it at the ankle without the nerve.

My first thought was Option 3 of course! We will have dad with no cancer!!! Then I looked at dad's face which looked so pale and scared. His eyes were tearing up. Then I thought, boy this wasn't as easy for him to decide right then and now. This is the man that doesn't know how to walk slow. If you're walking by him, you practically have to run so that you can keep up with him. Now, he will have to learn to walk. This is the man that as I write this, has gone bike riding with Aubrey to Ace Hardware because he needs a part to repair something in our home. This is the man that loves to garden. This is the man that both times we've gone to New York, makes me hate New York because he wants to run every where and not miss one thing. I on the other hand, like to take my time. This is the man that can't hold still 5 minutes because he thinks 5 minutes of his life will be wasted. Let alone take 5 minutes to put on a brace so that he can walk. At first he wanted option 2. He wants to keep his sciatic nerve so bad. I think now he has decided on option 3.

After Huntsman we bought some rail round trip tickets to Layton and back to SLC. Every time the train passes by us on the express way, dad always says he wants to ride the train. So... we did!

We timed it just right. After the rail we met up with Kellan Hatch and his family. Lily, his wife fixed a perfect dinner for us. His son played the piano for us too. He played really well. We took Anson ice skating for about an hour and a half. Kellan and Lily went with us. Their sons had tons of homework so they couldn't go with us, since it was a school night for them.
After that, we headed to Idaho.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Update From Mom:

"I sent the camera with dad when he went to Perkins with his students. Well, he didn't take any pictures. He forgot he had the camera with him. I guess if mom doesn't take pictures nobody does. About 12 students showed up. He had a great time with them. He sure misses his students.

Besides church, a nice little nap, and watching the Academy Awards today, he had his monthly scout meeting. The people in the picture, especially Karen Dayley have been running the scout program without dad. Right after dad got called to be the Scout Master he got diagnosed with cancer.

He has treatments Monday-Thursday this week and he's done. (25 radiation treatments!) I guess they will see him back on April 1st for MRI's, testing, scans, whatever. On the 3rd of April (Grandma Chavez birthday) they have scheduled him for surgery."


Saturday, February 14, 2009

An Update From Papa Bear:

"This week has been pretty good. The nuclear physicist visited with us yesterday. He said everything is going on target. My leg sure feels good. Sayda even caught me crossing my leg underneath my other one. I hadn't been able to do that for so long. My lower leg is huge because of the lymphedema. I guess that was expected. The tiredness is getting worse. Man the treatments drain me to the point where I almost can't function. 17 down, 8 to go! Thank you for all of your prayers."

Waiting to see the doctor.




Out-running a train.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

A Post From Mom:


"Another week has come and gone. Dick has had a total of 12 treatments. He needs 25, so I guess he is just about halfway there. He has tolerated the radiation so well. His leg is in good condition. No burning from the radiation or blistering. We bathe it good with lotion right after his treatment and at bed time. He keeps on getting very tired and sleepy, but that is all. Yesterday he saw the Radiology Oncologist. For some reason, Dick and I thought that the radiation would shrink the tumor, but she told us that the reason they are doing the treatments is not to shrink it, but to harden up the tumor so that it will not spill cancer cells when they remove it. She told us that the next time they check the size is right before surgery. I guess the pictures they take right now are just to make sure they are shooting the right places.

We took Aubrey with us this week. Last Friday her teacher gave her all her homework for this week. Man... that was a lot of homework! It was so nice having her with us and not missing her. I love my husband so much. He is so strong, so positive, and never complains. The only thing he complains about is not having received the script for his next play from Samuel French, not being able to be in his classroom with his students, not being able to take his students to speech competition or see their material they're competing with, not being able to pull our kids from school so that they can always be with us, not being able to be here on Feb 11th for Anson's birthday, etc. He never complains about his health. He gives me so much strength. He is my love and my hero. Thank you sweetheart for keeping us together at a time like this. I can't wait for all of this to be over so that you can do all the things you love doing."

To see more pictures of the past week visit "The Call Family Blog" by clicking on the link to the right.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A Note From Dad:


Cooling off after radiation.

Things are going along very well. Herman seems to be getting smaller. The hardest part of this whole thing is the waiting and waiting. I wish we could get it done. I hate leaving home and my children. I miss my classroom and my bed. For those worried about what's going on, everything is going as scheduled. We just need to wait it out. Thank you again for all your prayers, thoughts, and concern.

Monday, February 2, 2009

"Our Short Little Weekend"

This is an update from my mom's blog:

"Saturday... Anson has some Bionicle's he got for Christmas and birthdays years ago. He hasn't played with them in years. On Saturday Dick and I were in the living room watching the golf tournament and cute Anson showed up with all his Bionicle's. He even let Aubrey put one together. He usually doesn't share his toys, thinking someone might lose parts. He reminded me of my little boy again.



Sunday... I was at a meeting during the Super Bowl and Brianna didn't take any pictures but she said they really got into it. I made them all reenact Super Bowl Sunday for pictures.


Can you tell acting is part of our family? Dad, you've trained them well.


Tomorrow we will leave again to SLC for another week. We have had a great weekend in our little B town! It just wasn't long enough. Dick bore his testimony at church today. I love that man!!!"

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Day 4 of Radiation

Before Radiation:


After Radiation:



So this is Dad's 4th day of radiation and his 1st full week of it. He says it's going well. The worst side effect at this point is how tired it makes him. He's had to nap for a long time every day he's done it. He's really enjoyed all of your comments, and he thanks you for your love and prayers. We'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Day One - Tomorrow


Dad starts radiation tomorrow.  He'll do it Thursday and Friday, come home for the weekend, and then go back for 5 weeks of it.  He's feeling a little nervous about it, but he'll be glad to have that first "zap", as he puts it, behind him.  It's time to start!  It's been almost 4 weeks since he found out something was wrong, and it's been a long wait to actually start fighting this thing.  The growth has actually grown bigger in the last week.  It's to the point now that he can't wear his jeans.  So he taught school for the past couple of days in his pajamas.  So it's time to start shrinking this thing!  Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes.  You have no idea how it lifts my father's spirits.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

More Huntsman and More Tests

Posted by Mom:

Aubrey has been having a really hard time with us leaving her. On Thursday the ski class was going skiing. She was too, but changed her mind with us not being there. We thought we could bring her with us on Thursday and Friday before Dick starts his treatments next week. We think that if she knows where her father is going to get the radiation treatments, it might help her adjust better. She also was invited to the academic breakfast on Wednesday, so we thought she deserved a little break. It has been fun hanging with her during those long waits.

We left early in the morning on Thursday. It was a long day of tests and waiting. Today they marked the tattoos on his leg of where he is getting the radiation. He will start Thursday of next week. Finally at about 5:30, we headed to Kaysville. That is where our dear friends who are letting us stay in their house live. They are so wonderful and it has saved us so much money this week. He works for the church and Edye sings in the Tabernacle choir. His name is Reed and her name is Edye. They have a son, Vosco and a daughter, Ruby. Aubrey has had a blast with Ruby! I'm so happy to hear her giggling, she is usually so serious and I never know what is going through her little head. We got to their house, and the kids and Dick played Wii. Edye and Reed fixed us a delicious meal. Their hospitality is amazing.

Friday was another day of more and more tests. He had a long, long bone scan and the pelvic CT. Poor Dick had a horrible headache after he was all done. We are here at Edye's again. Tomorrow we should get the results for the pelvic CT. That will tell us if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

Tomorrow we get our Giselle!  She is coming for a week or two to help out and to be with her dad.

Dad always feeds the birds and the ducks. No matter where he is, he always finds them.

After we left, tons of birds came and were eating the bread crumbs. I think the birds follow dad.

At it again.

He is always so cute working on puzzles and staying busy.

On the phone with someone from Samuel French ordering a script for his next show.

I join him once in a while, but not too long.

The room looks so lonely without dad working on a puzzle.

Waiting

.... and waiting

My big, brown, eyed girl.  Still waiting.

Isn't she a cute, chubby dog?





Friday


You could barely see the mountains. The smog was so thick.

We saw Mandy and her family. She went to school with Giselle and was a drama student too. Her dad has cancer too. They just found out last week too.

Edye singing "Homeward Bound." I was in the other room and I thought it was a CD playing. Aubrey came and told me "It's not a CD, it's Edye playing the piano and singing."

I've been waking up with panic attacks at night since all of this started with Dick and his health. After listening to this I think I'll sleep pretty soundly tonight.