{Bladder Cancer update}

After the removal of the cath, my dad got an infection and spent a couple days in the hospital...again!  He really hates the hospital.

AND

The results came back from the biopsy.

The Dr is 80% sure the cancer has not spread into the muscle.

80%?  Is that good enough?

If the cancer has not spread, he could do a 6 week round of treatment where they inject BCG (tuberculosis bacteria) into his bladder which will cause his immune system to fight off the cancer.

If that 80% is wrong and he does this 6 week treatment when really the cancer is in the muscle,  it will have been a waste of time.

The Dr said he could go back in and scrap some more to get a better idea of what we are dealing with.

It was hard to sit there and make the decision.  We all just kind of looked at each other.  I am so glad Lynn was there to speak up and say..."We want better than 80%"

Once he said that, we were all on board.

So in a few weeks my dad will be going in for another biopsy.

Cancer is so complicated!  It isn't just go to the Dr, find out what it is and treat it.  So many things need to lead up to that.

In the last 9 days he has had 2 admissions and spent 6 days hospitalized...3 days at Huntsman for severe infection, then he took a 3 day break and went to the U of U hospital for bleeding problems!

{Biopsy}

 

My dad had a biopsy on his bladder. 

 

The Dr found a large, 8 cm. tumor inside the bladder. They removed the tumor and took biopsy's of the bladder wall. So we are awaiting those results in a couple of weeks before they will know the extent and aggressiveness of the treatment he will receive.

 

Waiting is torture. 

 

Losing another parent to cancer is something I can't even consider. 

It is hard to see him go through this. The strongest man I know is weak and scared. We joke around because that is what our family does to cope.  But then reality hits and I have a sick feeling in my stomach. 

He will beat this!  That is the only option!

{Cancer really really really sucks!}

These two views are NOT what I ever wanted to experience in my lifetime.

Huntsman's Cancer Institute

and

Waiting for the first round of results

 

After having some pains in his stomach, my dad went to the Dr to get treated for what they thought might be a urinary tract infection.  They gave him antibiotics and sent him on his way.

 

The pains did not go away.

 

Further tests have shown cancer cells in his urine which triggered more tests and a visit to the saddest place on earth.....Huntsman's Cancer Institute.  It is a blessing we have such an amazing hospital close by but it is never a place you want to go.

 

Results:

Some thickening on the wall of his bladder.  Bladder cancer?

 

Without doing a biopsy they don't know for sure.

 

With his blood clot and them thinning out his blood it isn't just a quick go in, get a sample and be done.

 

Biopsy is scheduled for November 25th.  There is a risk of bleeding from the biopsy so they will watch it closely. 

 

Then wait 2 weeks for results.  We won't know how extensive this cancer is until the beginning of December.  The wait is going to be torture!

 

Good news is they didn't find any other worry areas.  So we are hoping it is just localized to the bladder and it can be treated quickly.

 

Prayers, prayers, prayers!

 

 

{Blood Clot}

My dad decided to keep things exciting around here and ended up in the ER and then ICU with a HUGE blood clot in his lung.

We got a call from Vickie that he had fainted and they were taking him to the hospital.  Back up to a few weeks before this he had lost all energy and went to the cardiologist to have his heart checked out.

He sat in the ER for quite a while feeling fine but they wanted to admit him and keep an eye on him so me, Dave and the boys headed up to the U to see him.  Vickie left to go home and get an overnight bag and come back.

While we were there they came and took him for a CT scan.  A few minutes later a Dr came in and seemed confused.   The Dr said "for what we just found on that scan, you should not look this good!"
They found a large blood clot the size of a Sharpie in his lungs.  In not so many words the Dr said he should not be alive right now.

They rushed him up to ICU to get him on some blood thinners and to monitor him better.

We stayed until Vickie got there which was now 11:00pm.

The next day Kent went up to spend the day with him and to keep us updated on his progress.

He finally got to the point where the Dr's felt he could be in a normal room so they moved him out of ICU pretty quick!  Thank goodness!

He was in the hospital for a week.  We took turns going up and hanging out with him.  When it was my turn I took my crochet just in case I had a chance to work on it.  I was making a blanket and ended up making it too big so I undid the entire thing!  He helped me wrap up the yarn so I could start over.  Perfect activity for someone to do on blood thinner!  No knives, no tools, just soft yarn :)

 

He will continue on the blood thinner for about 6 months or until they feel like the blood clot has dissolved.

{Father's Day}

Since we were just getting back from our trip I knew we wouldn't want to pack up and go anywhere the next day so I decided to host Father's Day at our house.

We had a nice little BBQ and the cousins had a blast playing together.

This picture cracks me up!  No one was looking in the right direction

and Kent is super happy about I don't know what! haha

 

I have an awesome Dad!  He does so much for everyone and you would never guess

 that he is 70 years old!  I love that he is still young and active

Then there is this guy.  You can't take him anywhere!

He makes me smile, laugh and just feel like a princess

And these boys are pretty darn lucky to have such an amazing father

 that will do anything in his power to make them happy.

 

The cousins made this funny father's day video

{Happy Birthday Dad}

 

I can't believe my dad is 70!  He doesn't look or act like it at all. 

 I am so happy that he is healthy and can enjoy his retirement.

 

Vickie planned a birthday party for him and I helped with the invites. 

 

She had this amazing cake made for him

 

 

We played Minute to Win it games.  The kids had a blast! 

 

 

Grandpa played basketball with the kids. 

I love that they had that time with him

 

 

 

Grandpa with Garrett - Age 12

 

Grandpa with McKay - Age 14

 

Love my dad!

{HAPPY BIRTHDAY}

Happy Birthday Dad!! We love you!


I am so proud to call this man my DAD!

Mr fix it! It's broken? No need to buy a new one, just rip it apart and fix it! I spent many hours at the BYU shop working on cars and whatever else he had going on.

He is also such a hard worker and a selfless worker. Anything us, a neighbor or friend needed he was there anytime of the day.

Dragging us to Midway every weekend to work on the farm was tourture but now I tresure those memories and feel like that gave me a great work ethic

He is an amazing Grandpa. My kids were lucky to spend many years with him while my mom would watch them for me when I went to work. They chased trains, went to lunch and helped Grandpa out in the shop or yard. Even though they were very young these memories are fresh in their minds.

We love and miss you!

{Birthday} {Memory Tuesday}

Happy Birthday to my Dad!!! Don't ask me how old he is. I lost track and he is not accessible right now to talk to, he has been out of the country on vacation for 3 weeks. Retirement life!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Describe a favorite childhood friend and something you did with her or him

Oh my goodness. Leslie. We were inseparable growing up. I can't even remember when we first started to be friends. I'm sure it was around 5 or 6 years old.

Leslie and I got into ALOT of trouble together. HA HA. Toilet papering, sneaking out at night and just roaming the neighborhood or to meet boys, stealing her mom's car to go cruising, that was a fun one by the way. We always had each others backs. No one messed with the other or they would hear it! Dating boys that were friends so we could go on double dates, going to the mall for HOURS, i'm sure the University Mall had to repair their carpet from all the walking we did. Going to the movies, church activities, sleepovers. The list could go on and on. We even had our share of some good fights, but we made up quickly. The longest I think we fought was for a couple of weeks, I don't even remember what it was about.

After high school we lost touch a little bit. It is sad how much life gets busy and in the way. As years passed we lost all communication. I called her mom one day and got her phone number and found out where she lived. I have talked to her a few times on the phone and stopped to say hi when we drove by but that is about it. That is a goal I should make, to get more involved with her again. How can you just let someone go that you shared everything with? I will post a picture of us later when I get a chance.

{Birthday Wishes}, {Surgery}

Happy birthday to my mom!! I love and miss you mom!!!!!!!

My dad had a much needed knee surgery today, he is doing well, they are going to keep him in the hospital for a few days to monitor the pain and help him walk around.