Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day Dad!

Today we are thinking of you and the service you gave to our country. We are thinking of James Marshall and other friends of yours who lost their lives defending our freedom. We are thinking of your brothers who served and continue to serve in our Marines and Air Force.

We are thinking of Grandma and Grandpa, and other loved ones who have passed on, whose lives we honor and remember on this special day.

Today we are thinking of the soldiers overseas and the families who are spending this holiday without them.

(This is our friend Bryan who serves in the Army.)

And today we are celebrating another day that you continue this courageous battle. We love you Daddy. We are thinking of you especially today. And we continue to pray for miracles every day.

Semper fi (ALWAYS FAITHFUL!)

Diana

Another Miracle

I spent a month in Utah. It was wonderful seeing my dad every day. I was amazed by his strength and attitude and by how well he was doing! But when I had to leave on Monday it was a difficult good-bye for both of us.

While neither of us said it out loud, I know we were both wondering if this might be the last time we would be together. We cried a little and hugged a lot. And I stalled my departure as long as possible.

When I landed I had a new voicemail message from April that said something like this:

"Hey Diana I hope you had a good flight. I'm just calling to let you know that Dad had an appointment with the doctor today and they couldn't find any leukemia in his blood. Call me back."

WHAT!?!?

This doesn't mean that he is cured but it is certainly great news. And we are happily celebrating yet another miracle in this journey.

I'm so happy for you, Daddy and I will be seeing you soon! Keep up your amazing fight.

Beautiful Roses

My dad is the oldest of eleven children; so we have a lot of aunts and uncles. And guess what? They are all awesome! They come from long distances to visit, they bring Dad's favorite treats, they call to check on him and they all love and respect their eldest brother. They have all been through a lot this year: losing our sweet grandmother so unexpectedly and facing the challenges of cancer in their brother. But through it all they remain close.

My Aunt Dena and Uncle Kevin just delivered a beautiful organ for dad. My Aunt Ruth and her husband Uncle Peter loaned him the bike that he has been religiously exercising on. Uncle Tim and Aunt LaWaine continuously call to see what he needs and then faithfully deliver whatever it is he orders. During my recent stay I have seen Uncle Jay and Aunt Vivian, Uncle Pete and Aunt Bona and Aunt Belva stop by to check in on him and visit. And Uncle Warren in New Jersey and Aunt Joy in Texas ring in on Skype from time to time.

When he was a candidate for a bone marrow transplant every one of his siblings stepped forward to be tested as a match.

Just today I went with Dad to Tooele where we met with all his siblings at Grandma's house. It was so wonderful to be in the presence of all these beautiful people who I love dearly.

We have such a wonderful, loving and supportive family.

Thank you so much to all my aunts and uncles for all the years of love, service and example you have shown to me and of course for being such wonderful brothers and sisters to my sweet daddy. I love you!

Amazing and Inspiring

Dad has looked so great for the last few days. He has color, he has a frequent smile and if not for the oxygen tube, you would have no idea how sick he is by looking at him.

I asked him hopefully if this was a reflection of things happening on the inside. Unfortunately he said no. He still has a constant pain level which hasn't improved and he is still extremely exhausted. He did say that majority of his pain was not from the cancer, but from his neuropathy. His hands hurt all the time and feel as though they are burning.

Again, despite all these challenges, he rode his bike again yesterday for five miles. Let me just add that I hopped on the bike yesterday and went seven miles; I was sweating like crazy and my buns were on fire! And I'm healthy! My dad is amazing and so inspiring.

And speaking of amazing and inspring, we have been so overwhelmed with gratitude by the outpouring of love and service shown by friends, family and members of our church. My parents' ward members have diligently provided dinner every Tuesday and Thursday night since before I arrived; they offer my parents rides to the hospital for my dad's appointments; they frequently stop by to check on them and of course the list goes on and on. And halfway across the ocean the same selfless service is being offered to my husband by my ward family and neighbors in Hawaii. They take turns watching Marley while Conway works and always ask what more they can do to help and send their love and concern to my dad.

I wish I could give a shout out to all those who have touched us with their love, service and support but the list would be a mile long. Just know that you are so appreciated and loved. It means so much to our family and especially to my sweet parents. THANK YOU!

Hanging in There

Thank you all for your concern and prayers. I think every conversation I have recently, whether on the phone, via email, via text or in person, begins with, "How's your dad?" As of late, the "{answer seems to always be, "hanging in there."

And that's exactly what he's doing. He is exhausted and has a constant pain level but every day he gets out of bed, he eats when he has no appetite and he manages to smile and have conversations with us throughout the day.

Yesterday he had two units of red blood and a unit of platelets and the doctor said that his body is holding on on it's own (meaning without the help of chemo). But this morning the nurse called and advised them to hold off on some medications because his white blood cells are droppingfast.

Again, despite it all he is hanging in there, he still has a lot of fight left in him and we are enjoying this time we get to spend with him.

Home With Daddy

I was planning on waiting until after Marley's birthday and birthday party to come home. But as Karen mentioned, after Skyping with Dad on Sunday (he looked extremely weak and tired; and was falling asleep as I was talking to him), both Conway and I agreed that I needed to come home right away.

So Cohen and I took a red-eye on Tuesday evening and arrived here in SLC on Wednesday morning (Marley's 4th birthday).

We landed at 7:30 am so my dad was still sleeping when we got home. Cohen and I both crawled into bed with him and I wrapped my arms around my sweet daddy, lay my head against his chest, and fell asleep to the sound of his precious, beating heart.

I have been so impressed with him since I've been here. He is obviously exhausted but I have seen him ride his stationary bike despite the fatigue. He has no appetite (he has lost 18 pounds since his doctor's appointment less than two weeks ago), but still forces himself to eat an orange or a sandwich at our request.

But he is in good spirits and even manages to laugh when we crack silly jokes or when Mom parades around in the new high heeled shoes he bought her for Valentine's Day.

The two of us have been enjoying one of our favorite pasttimes: watching NCIS marathons on USA together and believe it or not, he looks GREAT! If you were to come see him right now, you would agree. I like to think that my presence has been just what Dad needed this week. (I am his baby girl afterall:)

As I write this, Cohen just gave Grandpa loves and kisses and my dad just said to me over his shoulder, "I love you sweetheart; I'm so happy you're here."

I miss my daughter and husband in Hawaii so much it hurts.... But that last statement from my daddy is exactly why I am here and why it's worth it.

Dad wasn't doing very well over the weekend. On Sunday, mom and I were so scared because he wasn't very coherent and couldn't do much of anything. I was so afraid to leave him that night for fear that I would get a call that something bad had happened. Diana had skyped with him earlier that evening and immediately booked her plane ticket to come be with him. He had a dr. appointment on Monday morning and we didn't think he would be able to make it but to all of our surprise he not only made it to his appointment (thank you brother Fenton) but he was so alert and was able to talk and manage to spend most of the day at the hospital. He is still fighting very hard, he exercises when he can and gets around as much as he can on his own but mom is always right by his side, checking on him and taking great care of him. He is very blessed to have such a caring ward, family and friends. Thank you to the Beehive's for the wonderful dinner you brought him tonight! He is still planning to go to Huntsman for treatments for as long as he has the energy. They have taken such great care of him there and they have not given up on him either. Whenever he needs anything, they are always happy to help him and show so much compassion and love as well as friendship (dad and mom always make friends with their doctors and staff). We truly appreciate all of you for your thoughtfulness and willingness to help. I personally have learned a lot about service from all of the wonderful people that have been here for us.