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.

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.

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.)

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

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.

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."