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.