Father's Day and other updates

Three weeks ago we took dad to the emergency room for a high fever; he was admitted to Huntsman after 7 hours of waiting in misery. Finally, once settled in his room, he got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and when he came back to his bed, the brakes on his bed were not locked so he fell to the floor hitting his head and hip on the corner of the table. He got a pretty good gash on his head and has obviously been suffering from much more severe pain since then. The doctors say that there is nothing they can do to fix the problem, the only thing they can do for him is prescribe more pain medication. Dad doesn't like to be on the pain meds because he feels like he's too out-of-it when he is with us but it is so hard to see him suffer even more than he was already.

As Robert wrote before, dad's doctor suggested that he go on a two week trial with hospice to try to make him more comfortable but they discharged him before the two week trial because he had a transfusion which is not permitted if you are on hospice, but he would rather keep going to the hospital and fighting to stay alive then just stay home and be comfortable.

He did go in for his routine visits this week and had his platelet transfusion and will go in again next week. They say that he may be getting more tired and feeling more pain in the next little while because the white blood cells are taking over. He is still our amazing dad and still has some fight left in him.

We had a wonderful Father's Day with him which he was very happy to be able to celebrate. He was feeling so sick the night before that he wasn't sure he would make it. Now when I tell him I'll see him tomorrow, he always replies "that's my goal!"

Thank you dad for your strong spirit and endless love and to mom for being the best nurse he could ever hope for! We love you both so much!

Next Step

Short update,
A few things changed recently. Dad was hospitalized last week for fever. He was started on antibiotics, and is still getting them at home. He is becoming confused from time to time and that has his doctor and family concerned. This could be due to infection, pain medication or spread of leukemia cells among other causes.
His team at HCI are worried that he has reached the point where complications may be mounting and controlling his pain and confusion will be difficult.
He is starting a trial of hospice so he can have a nurse on call 24/7 and avoid the ER.
His Dr. really enjoys dad and the family and is concerned about his ability to offer more help. he hopes this will provide more help and care.
This team at Huntsman has been great to dad and our family and are still available to meet with us but would like to see if hospice nursing can improve their capacity to help.

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Happy Birthday Daddy!

Dad turned 63 on June 3rd, a day we are all so grateful to have been able to celebrate with him! Mom has been planning on throwing him a big birthday party since the beginning of the year and never gave up faith that he would make it to the day. She has worked so hard to put it all together and I must say it was a wonderful success! We had lots of food, dancing, more food and fun!

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and everyone that took the time to make so much great food or to travel such a long way. Mom's cousin, Rosie, even flew in from Australia for the special occasion and has been such a great help to all of us!

Dad is doing good, he's still going in for his weekly transfusions and platelets and still feeling pretty miserable. Although his leukemia is not in remission, he has come so far even with the odds against him and no chemotherapy. We are so grateful that he is still fighting and was able to celebrate his birthday and many more to come! It just shows you how far love and faith can take you!

I'm sorry I haven't updated in awhile and didn't sent out a message earlier to invite everyone to come celebrate with us. I'll try to keep up better:)

Thanks again for all the prayers, they are certainly working!

Love you all and I'll update again later.

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!