VIP- but we already knew that.

Yesterday Charleen and I took the kids up to hang out with grandma in the hospital.

She lucked out this time and was put into a huge two room VIP suite. Kids under 14 are not allowed back into the rooms and down the hall area. When we got there yesterday mom was a little weepy and having a hard time emotionally so the nurse said it was therapy and best for the patient to let them go into her room. Her room was the very closest to the lobby and she had a separate living area. We snuck them back there and ate lunch together. She had requested KFC so we brought KFC chicken and other fixings from home along with mango ice cream. 

We celebrated Tristen's (granddaughter) 12 birthday. We enjoyed walking around outside on the terrace. Enjoyed the perfect sunshine. Loved being with grandma. Loved listening to her tell the funny commercials she had seen while watching tv. The best part is we found her smile, calmed her nerves, and laughed together.

Great day! So hard to leave.

Checkin into Huntsman today

Checking into Huntsman is becoming quite routine. Everything is going well and mom is doing awesome! This last week we were able to get physical and speech therapist to come to the house and work with her. We are hoping that when the time comes she will be able to drive. We think that time will happen she is and has come a long way. 

Love you mom you are doing amazing!

Last day of infusion-maybe

Charleen and I were talking about helping others even when you yourself are swamped or going through your own struggles. This made me think about all of you. Many of you know all to well about trials and struggles, yet during it all you have chosen to take time to shown our family compassion. We appreciate and love you!

In between treatments we have found time to hang out and play with our mom. It has been fun. 

She keeps wondering why we are always trying to feed her. She said "for the first time in my life I have a hard time gaining weight". 

Today at the Infusion center

On our way home after another successful treatment at Huntsman's. 

Looking good

Karen took mom up for her doctors appointment and to check into the hospital Tuesday morning. This is her text updating us.

So, good news - mom's tumor is practically gone.  They are very pleased with how the chemo is working.  They said to keep in mind she is very early on with treatment and things should progressively get better for her cognitive thinking, but some things might not.  They don't want her driving until 4-6 months down the road and that she should pass a driving test first.  A social worker talked to us and will talk to dad about role reversals, she was very helpful.

This photo looks good :). 

This week having mom back in the hospital has been hard because all of our kids are home during the day for spring break. We have not been able to give mom the time and attention we would like to. Mom was craving mango frozen yogurt so me and my kids waited outside Red Mango at 10:30 this morning to take it up to her. We didn't actually get mango but she loved strawberry.

Playing UNO in the lobby because the kids are not allowed back by the rooms. 

We had such a fun time playing cards. Mom had lots of energy and felt great. She was not ready for us to leave.

Today MRI, tomorrow  inpatient chemo. Busy busy. 

Cracks in the armor

 

 

CRACKS IN THE ARMOR

 

life is a battle. I can't just sit around and watch it unfold.  I  have to go after it with a club and subdue it.  To watch it go by is not what I choose to do.  I would rather gain the scars of battle than be some one wondering what happened on the sidelines of life.

 

 

The cuts or damage to our body's  which are wounds at the onset are laugh lines wrinkles and beauty marks in older age which give us a unique look in old age. 

 

I have an uncle who worked as an electrician in the Navy and then came home to Beaver Utah after the war.  He continued his electrical knowledge by working on motors for washing machines, working on all of the electrical problems at a place called Sulphur Dale, just south of Cove Fort, Utah.  He raised a garden, cows, hay  and a great family.  He has passed away many years ago and I can still remember him laying in his casket.  The hands that were etched deep with grease, scars, broken fingernails covered with dirt that could not be cleaned.  His hands were a road map of his life and I told Barbara at the time that he had the most beautiful hands that I have seen.  His face which was also the road map was always happy with a twinkle in his eye. 

 

Barbara, your face and hands are still beautiful and show some cracks in your armor and you still defend  people that you meet that you are a warrior for your family, your religion and are willing to call your family to order when they do not doing things in their life which are against the principles that they were taught while loving them all the while. 

 

The cracks that you have are stronger when they heal than before.  Your trials and weakness become your strengths and wisdom in older age.  Thank you for your courage and willingness to fight the battles of life and excel in the end. 

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter

Today was out patient chemo at the U of U hospital in Daybreak. Mom told us that dad was able to lay on an available recliner and the nurse covered him up with a hot blanket and he took a nap. When he woke up she said they gave him a cookie. My mom said that today it didn't take very long and it was very enjoyable. After that appointment they went to Chad's office for chiropractic and acupuncture treatment. 

The kids had early out and wanted to see Grandma. My dad brought my mom to my house (Missy) and we were able to have lunch and decorate Easter eggs with Charleen and her kids.

Life for our parents is busy with doctor appointments and all the other life stuff. Sometimes we are able to manage and sometimes it is overwhelming. But we always have one another to give us support. Jason said something when this all first started that has made me laugh. "We stick together as a family and you (cancer) may be able to take us down but on the way we will "kick you in the balls". Picture our family sitting around a table in a meeting room at Huntsman seriously talking about treatment options. Then Jason says "kick you in the balls" and watching my mom bust up laughing. That is something I never want to forget.

We are looking forward to conference weekend and Easter dinner together as a family. Mom goes into the hospital next Tuesday to begin cycle 2. She has done great going through the first cycle and we hope and pray that will continue through the next four. 

Today was a great day!