Hi Everyone!
Well, maybe we have the miracle we have been hoping and praying for. We've been up to the Huntsman today for more
tests (bone scans) so the Dr. could see how far the cancer has metathesised(sp?) into the bones. The Dr. is in Chicago
at a breast cancer convention, so I sat and called for the hours Dennis was in having tests and arranged for the radio-
logist to read the scan as soon as it was finished and have his staff send them by e-mail to Dr. Ward in Chicago. They hoped they could pull it off, but no promises. Tonight, just a few minutes ago, Dr. Ward called and said he felt like he
had some better news than the last time we were in there. He
said he can't say for positive, because he isn't looking at the original films (which he will do on Monday when he returns), but that the cancer is still in the remaining lymph
nodes in his collarbone, but not in as many places in his bones as he had first thought. He said he thought by the looks of things that the cancer was just in the pelvis and his rib area. However, that will be tentative until he is back in town. He said he will probably treat it with chemo
and then after he checks everything and Dennis heals some more he will decide what else to do.
He is doing a conference on breast cancer this Thurs. and he is going to present Dennis' case because it is so unusual. There will be radiologists, surgeons, chemo and radiation therapists, and Dr's of all types of cancer, but particularly
breast cancer. I'm quite sure the surgeon told us about these meetings and said we were welcome to come to them. I'm going to check on the time and hope that Michelle and I can attend and get some more information.
Anyway, any tiny, little piece of good news that we can hear is just the BEST~! I can't quit smiling, I feel a lot better about the chances of getting rid of this crazy thing called cancer!!
More good and equally exciting news is that Teri and Ed called tonight and had Adam announced to us that "His mother
is PREGNANT"! Yes, folks, good news comes at the bleakest hour if it is the Lord's will. And we hope and pray that her pregnancy will go well and that Dennis will be able to have many more years here with us!!
Now, I want to thank you all again for fasting and praying for Dennis and myself. Our names have been on prayer roles in Temples as far away as Tokyo,Hawaii, Washington DC, and all over the United States. Thank you all so much. The power of many prayers sometimes brings those miracles you hope and pray for and yet, in other circumstances, in our family and yours, the answer sometimes has to be "No". Those are the hardest of times, but when we look back at the growth we have gained with each trial, how much better we understand what we needed to learn at that time.
I would like you to know that I "THINK" in the pre-mortal life our Heavenly Father let me stand and pick out the man who would be the most wonderful man for me and I really think we must have gotten to choose our parents, our wonderful children and grandchildren and all our beloved extended families and, believe it or not, I think we got to pick out the finest people that would be here at this time to be our dearest, most wonderful friends----and that is each and every one of you!!(absoloutly no proof of any of that, but in my heart I feel it has
to be true because how could one lowly little family be so blessed?--that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!!!)
No words can express the love and thankfulness we feel for each of you and the caring and everything you do to help and support us. YOU are wonderful and WE are blessed! Thank you!
Especially thanks to those of you who have called or written to say they have or will be fasting in Dennis' (and my) behalf. That means the world to us, and our children, spouses, and grandchildren wanted to thank you all too for being so good to their mom and dad/grandpa and grandma.
Big, juicy kisses from all of us to you. I hope after next
Wednesday's appointment we'll still be feeling better about
this whole situation. Again, God bless you and thank you from us!
YES, DEAR FRIENDS, WE DO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!!
(but, don't stop praying!!)
Blogger Babe and Dennis
May 30, 2008
May 29, 2008
May 29, 2008
Wouldn't you know it? The dr. called at 10 pm last night with some of the answers.
When he called Dennis had been up AND throwing up since 5 in the afternoon. He was soooooooo sick.
When the dr. called I told him how sick Dennis was and he said that was normal after all the radio active material they stuck down his wind pipe and that he will probably feel icky for a few more days. Dennis was exhausted and I was too. I stayed up trying to be the "little dedicated housewife" once again. I sure do miss Dennis' cooking!!!
He finally felt well enough to rinse off and go to bed. He stayed there about 10 minutes and then went downstairs and then came up and tried Teri's bed...I think he slept in every bed in this house before he finally settled down. He also threw
up all night and most of today. I think they gave him too much of the radio active
meds to light up the cancers and it made him so sick to his stomach. He basically laid around all day today just trying not to be so tired.
When the dr. called last night I asked him a few questions and he reminded me
(gently) that when he knew ANYTHING he would get hold of us immediately
He basically said he couldn't tell us anything without seeing the bone scans that will be taken tomorrow. He said that he felt over 90% that the cancer had spread to the bones and that it was in his collarbone, hip, legs, pelvis, and sternum, but NO
cancer in his vital organs. Thenk goodness for small favors!
He also said when we go in next week he will have a treatment plan ready for
Dennis to do. He said the nausea would leave when Dennis finishes all the tests
on Friday. They are doing BONE scans to see where and how bad it is. They also found more cancerous nodes in his neck.
But, we're not discouraged yet, because Dennis is relatively young, very strong and
healthy and that will work in his favor.
When I got home from the Pain Clinic Jay and Lynne were here and the bishop had just left. Jay has been so good to us, we really appreciate he and cutie pie, Lynne!
So all we know is no major organs are involoved, more cancer in lymph nodes, and bone cancer in various bones and we'll know the answers about Treatment
when we see him Monday. As he said,"Think the worst and prepare for the best"
So on that note and the fact that Dennis has to go through all that stuff to drink that makes him sick and he'll probably be up all night, and yes, I'll hear him!
I better shut down and try to get some sleep myself!
Thanks again to all of you and may God's choicest blessings be upon you at this time.
Much love,
Logger Babe
Marilyn
We love you and hope all is well with you. More updates later...I'm so tired I could lay down and eat my "shoes" right now....Huh?????
When he called Dennis had been up AND throwing up since 5 in the afternoon. He was soooooooo sick.
When the dr. called I told him how sick Dennis was and he said that was normal after all the radio active material they stuck down his wind pipe and that he will probably feel icky for a few more days. Dennis was exhausted and I was too. I stayed up trying to be the "little dedicated housewife" once again. I sure do miss Dennis' cooking!!!
He finally felt well enough to rinse off and go to bed. He stayed there about 10 minutes and then went downstairs and then came up and tried Teri's bed...I think he slept in every bed in this house before he finally settled down. He also threw
up all night and most of today. I think they gave him too much of the radio active
meds to light up the cancers and it made him so sick to his stomach. He basically laid around all day today just trying not to be so tired.
When the dr. called last night I asked him a few questions and he reminded me
(gently) that when he knew ANYTHING he would get hold of us immediately
He basically said he couldn't tell us anything without seeing the bone scans that will be taken tomorrow. He said that he felt over 90% that the cancer had spread to the bones and that it was in his collarbone, hip, legs, pelvis, and sternum, but NO
cancer in his vital organs. Thenk goodness for small favors!
He also said when we go in next week he will have a treatment plan ready for
Dennis to do. He said the nausea would leave when Dennis finishes all the tests
on Friday. They are doing BONE scans to see where and how bad it is. They also found more cancerous nodes in his neck.
But, we're not discouraged yet, because Dennis is relatively young, very strong and
healthy and that will work in his favor.
When I got home from the Pain Clinic Jay and Lynne were here and the bishop had just left. Jay has been so good to us, we really appreciate he and cutie pie, Lynne!
So all we know is no major organs are involoved, more cancer in lymph nodes, and bone cancer in various bones and we'll know the answers about Treatment
when we see him Monday. As he said,"Think the worst and prepare for the best"
So on that note and the fact that Dennis has to go through all that stuff to drink that makes him sick and he'll probably be up all night, and yes, I'll hear him!
I better shut down and try to get some sleep myself!
Thanks again to all of you and may God's choicest blessings be upon you at this time.
Much love,
Logger Babe
Marilyn
We love you and hope all is well with you. More updates later...I'm so tired I could lay down and eat my "shoes" right now....Huh?????
May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
It's nearly 9 p.m. and I've been waiting for the Dr. to call us back so we could ask him some questions about the tests today. It started at
8 a.m. this morning, we arrived bright and early and they took Dennis right back. He had to have a radioactive IV and drink a quart of Voodoo juice to light up the cancer in his body. Michelle was waiting with me and we were happy when two hours later they came to get us. I asked if I could see the scan (since I'm such an expert
on medical things). We went back and yup, it looked like a scan (I guess). The technician looked at me like "Come on you medical genius, tell me about it". I asked if HE could tell us about it and he said, "no", so we went to the waiting room and Michelle and I laughed so hard (you had to be there). She said "Come on mom, use your vast medical knowledge and tell us what you saw". Apparently, Dennis had told him I had a medical background and that's why I wanted to see the scan, so I guess the guy thought I knew something and then realized I knew next to nothing about x-ray scans of the body. I was a little humiliated, but we laughed it off.
When Dennis came out he was quite pale and sick to his stomach from drinking all the yukky stuff. I got him home, fed him a little lunch and then he's just been lying around and feeling light headed for the rest of the day. He just came up an about passed out on me, I am concerned and wish the dr. would call.
Back to the story.....the dr. DID call an hour after we got home (early this afternoon after the tests) and said he had some good and some bad news. The good news was that the cancer had not spread to any of his vital organs. Hooray! But, the bad news was that there are still some lymph nodes in the neck area that are cancer, and it looks suspiciously like bone cancer in the collarbone, pelvis, sternum, hip and legs. We didn't want to hear that.
Therefore, this Friday, Dennis is going up to Huntsman again to have some bone scans done to see if the pet scan was accurate on the bone cancer or not. We just don't know and were to dumb and excited about the organ diagnosis that all questions went out of our minds. The Dr. was going to call us back tonight, but he hasn't called yet and he's headed to Chicago tonight to go to a convention and won't be back until Monday, sooooo, if the results come in soon enough Friday, his nurse will e-mail him and he will call us. Otherwise, here we sit nervously twiddling our thumbs. (At least I am....Dennis is
calmly sitting in a chair being lightheaded and nauseated).
So, dear friends and family who have prayed and worried for us today, THANK YOU, and we wish we had better things to tell you.
Hopefully, we'll be able to add a P.S. to this later and know what the
Dr. has to say. We just want to know the "what if's?" and the "what treatments are we looking at?" and stuff like that. Oh well, this has been a waiting game for two months now, why would it be different?
Again, may you all be blessed for your kindnesses to us at this extremely difficult time. You'll never know how much it means to us to have such a wonderful family and friend support system.
Thanks and love,
Marilyn and Dennis
8 a.m. this morning, we arrived bright and early and they took Dennis right back. He had to have a radioactive IV and drink a quart of Voodoo juice to light up the cancer in his body. Michelle was waiting with me and we were happy when two hours later they came to get us. I asked if I could see the scan (since I'm such an expert
on medical things). We went back and yup, it looked like a scan (I guess). The technician looked at me like "Come on you medical genius, tell me about it". I asked if HE could tell us about it and he said, "no", so we went to the waiting room and Michelle and I laughed so hard (you had to be there). She said "Come on mom, use your vast medical knowledge and tell us what you saw". Apparently, Dennis had told him I had a medical background and that's why I wanted to see the scan, so I guess the guy thought I knew something and then realized I knew next to nothing about x-ray scans of the body. I was a little humiliated, but we laughed it off.
When Dennis came out he was quite pale and sick to his stomach from drinking all the yukky stuff. I got him home, fed him a little lunch and then he's just been lying around and feeling light headed for the rest of the day. He just came up an about passed out on me, I am concerned and wish the dr. would call.
Back to the story.....the dr. DID call an hour after we got home (early this afternoon after the tests) and said he had some good and some bad news. The good news was that the cancer had not spread to any of his vital organs. Hooray! But, the bad news was that there are still some lymph nodes in the neck area that are cancer, and it looks suspiciously like bone cancer in the collarbone, pelvis, sternum, hip and legs. We didn't want to hear that.
Therefore, this Friday, Dennis is going up to Huntsman again to have some bone scans done to see if the pet scan was accurate on the bone cancer or not. We just don't know and were to dumb and excited about the organ diagnosis that all questions went out of our minds. The Dr. was going to call us back tonight, but he hasn't called yet and he's headed to Chicago tonight to go to a convention and won't be back until Monday, sooooo, if the results come in soon enough Friday, his nurse will e-mail him and he will call us. Otherwise, here we sit nervously twiddling our thumbs. (At least I am....Dennis is
calmly sitting in a chair being lightheaded and nauseated).
So, dear friends and family who have prayed and worried for us today, THANK YOU, and we wish we had better things to tell you.
Hopefully, we'll be able to add a P.S. to this later and know what the
Dr. has to say. We just want to know the "what if's?" and the "what treatments are we looking at?" and stuff like that. Oh well, this has been a waiting game for two months now, why would it be different?
Again, may you all be blessed for your kindnesses to us at this extremely difficult time. You'll never know how much it means to us to have such a wonderful family and friend support system.
Thanks and love,
Marilyn and Dennis
May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Hi!
Quick update...tomorrow (Wednesday) is the BIG day when Dennis has his body scan. Finally we will know where the cancer has spread to and be able to treat him if the cancer is in a treatable place. I'm a total nervous wreck, and Dennis seems extra quiet and a little more emotional
I think we'll both be relieved to finally know what's going on and where.
We love you all and thank you for your concern and prayers. With God nothing is impossible, so keep your hopes up and prayers going up too.
Yesterday for Memorial Day we decorated Steve's grave here and then went down to Orem to decorate my mom's and dad's graves. Sweet little Mom Wilson fixed a lovely dinner for us, with al our favorite items and we
got an update on all you old Eldredge folks and what you are up to. Dick called us yesterday morning, and of course, he gave us a lot more info
than Mom did. What a character he is!
We enjoyed being with mom, she is such a wonderful comfort and we love her so much!
Well, keep your fingers crossed and your knees on the ground for tomorrow's test and we'll let you know as soom as we do.
Love to all,
The QUEEN Blogger!
Quick update...tomorrow (Wednesday) is the BIG day when Dennis has his body scan. Finally we will know where the cancer has spread to and be able to treat him if the cancer is in a treatable place. I'm a total nervous wreck, and Dennis seems extra quiet and a little more emotional
I think we'll both be relieved to finally know what's going on and where.
We love you all and thank you for your concern and prayers. With God nothing is impossible, so keep your hopes up and prayers going up too.
Yesterday for Memorial Day we decorated Steve's grave here and then went down to Orem to decorate my mom's and dad's graves. Sweet little Mom Wilson fixed a lovely dinner for us, with al our favorite items and we
got an update on all you old Eldredge folks and what you are up to. Dick called us yesterday morning, and of course, he gave us a lot more info
than Mom did. What a character he is!
We enjoyed being with mom, she is such a wonderful comfort and we love her so much!
Well, keep your fingers crossed and your knees on the ground for tomorrow's test and we'll let you know as soom as we do.
Love to all,
The QUEEN Blogger!
May 25, 2008
May 25, 2008
Hi. Short update...yesterday Dr. Ward called and said that all the blood tests he did on Dennis turned out normal, which he said "made him very happy". We don't know much about that, but we're happy too I guess!
It was so fun this weekend when Deanne and the kids came up to see us and stayed overnight and then went to church. Everyone raved about how cute Deanne and the kids are and it was so fun to have them there to brag about. It really seemed to perk Dennis up--as he always enjoys the grandkids so much! Michelle, Todd and kids came over after church and we had a light lunch and good conversation. It was so fun to all be together again. It is so fun having everyone within 3 hours of our house. That's it for today.
Love,
The Queen Blogger
It was so fun this weekend when Deanne and the kids came up to see us and stayed overnight and then went to church. Everyone raved about how cute Deanne and the kids are and it was so fun to have them there to brag about. It really seemed to perk Dennis up--as he always enjoys the grandkids so much! Michelle, Todd and kids came over after church and we had a light lunch and good conversation. It was so fun to all be together again. It is so fun having everyone within 3 hours of our house. That's it for today.
Love,
The Queen Blogger
May 24, 2008
Friday 23, 2008
Hello to all of you,Today was quite the day. I left for my Dr's appt. at 8:00 a.m. and didn't finish until 12 noon when I dashed over to the Huntsman Cancer Center to meet Dr. Ward with Dennis. The Center is really beautiful and the people there are so caring and kind. We didn't know the intention of this meeting, but soon realized it was for us to meet Dr. Ward's whole team. Rozie, Ann, Mary, Lynn and a few others whose names I can't remember were introduced to us and they were all very kind, patient and serving with their hearts as well as their hands.They checked Dennis' incision and said it looked good, except he still has the two drains in it and they are not very close to being ready to come out yet. So, he's still dragging them around with him. The Dr. basically said that we won't know the complete treatment plan until after next Wednesday when Dennis has the scan. The Dr. said that surprisingly enough, they are finding that men with breast cancer are responding quite well to women's hormones. So, his plan is to see how far and where the cancer has spread to, (hence, the scan), and then develop a full aggressive plan of attack. He also said that it would be an advantage if it had spread a little to places that he could zap with a healthy dose of chemo and radiation and with the hormones too. I really didn't understand a lot of his plan, but Dennis seemed to feel good about everything and is still really positive and upbeat about getting started. I just hate to see him get too sick from the chemo, but if it will do something to prolong his life I'm all for it! In short, we were really impressed with Dr. Ward and his whole staff and in the "other" short, we are anxiously awaiting next Wednesday and then getting down to business. We'll be updating as soon as we know anything.As for my appointment (you can stop reading here if you just wanted an update on Dennis, but this will be my "journal" of this time in our lives and so I'm including other things too). Anyway, back to "my appointment", I went into the Neuro Surgeon about my constant back pain. He took 12 more x-rays and basically said that I have osteoporosis so badly that I could not take a risk on having surgery on any part of my spine. The neck is still quite precarious, but surgery might not work and could even make it worse, so we'll leave it alone. The lower back is the main problem now. The two discs are sitting side by side instead of stacked and are bone on bone. Again, there is no way he would do surgery because of my bone density and the chance of being paralyzed or in worse pain than before. Then above those two discs there is more arthritis and bone spurs that need to be removed, but for the same reason this won't happen. In essence, I'm stuck having the pain until the spine collapses and then who knows where I'll be. However, the one bright side is that he wants me to try some kind of injection that an "injection specialist" does, and no, I don't know what it is, but it isn't cortisone. He would put it between the two lower side by side discs and see if that would relieve some of my pain and maybe even help the neuropathy in my left foot. Anyway, ya hoo, one more challenge, boy, does the Lord love us or what???? The answer has to be YES, for Him to trust us with the trails we have been given, we only hope we can be worthy to return to him as "survivors," not "belly-achers". Thanks for enduring the reading of today's novel....shorter next time, I hope. We love you all and again, thank you for your thoughts, calls, prayers, smiles, and the love that streams from your hearts to ours...we feel your love and thank you!Love,he Queen BlogerPosted by The Queen updater at 8:47 PM
Hello to all of you,Today was quite the day. I left for my Dr's appt. at 8:00 a.m. and didn't finish until 12 noon when I dashed over to the Huntsman Cancer Center to meet Dr. Ward with Dennis. The Center is really beautiful and the people there are so caring and kind. We didn't know the intention of this meeting, but soon realized it was for us to meet Dr. Ward's whole team. Rozie, Ann, Mary, Lynn and a few others whose names I can't remember were introduced to us and they were all very kind, patient and serving with their hearts as well as their hands.They checked Dennis' incision and said it looked good, except he still has the two drains in it and they are not very close to being ready to come out yet. So, he's still dragging them around with him. The Dr. basically said that we won't know the complete treatment plan until after next Wednesday when Dennis has the scan. The Dr. said that surprisingly enough, they are finding that men with breast cancer are responding quite well to women's hormones. So, his plan is to see how far and where the cancer has spread to, (hence, the scan), and then develop a full aggressive plan of attack. He also said that it would be an advantage if it had spread a little to places that he could zap with a healthy dose of chemo and radiation and with the hormones too. I really didn't understand a lot of his plan, but Dennis seemed to feel good about everything and is still really positive and upbeat about getting started. I just hate to see him get too sick from the chemo, but if it will do something to prolong his life I'm all for it! In short, we were really impressed with Dr. Ward and his whole staff and in the "other" short, we are anxiously awaiting next Wednesday and then getting down to business. We'll be updating as soon as we know anything.As for my appointment (you can stop reading here if you just wanted an update on Dennis, but this will be my "journal" of this time in our lives and so I'm including other things too). Anyway, back to "my appointment", I went into the Neuro Surgeon about my constant back pain. He took 12 more x-rays and basically said that I have osteoporosis so badly that I could not take a risk on having surgery on any part of my spine. The neck is still quite precarious, but surgery might not work and could even make it worse, so we'll leave it alone. The lower back is the main problem now. The two discs are sitting side by side instead of stacked and are bone on bone. Again, there is no way he would do surgery because of my bone density and the chance of being paralyzed or in worse pain than before. Then above those two discs there is more arthritis and bone spurs that need to be removed, but for the same reason this won't happen. In essence, I'm stuck having the pain until the spine collapses and then who knows where I'll be. However, the one bright side is that he wants me to try some kind of injection that an "injection specialist" does, and no, I don't know what it is, but it isn't cortisone. He would put it between the two lower side by side discs and see if that would relieve some of my pain and maybe even help the neuropathy in my left foot. Anyway, ya hoo, one more challenge, boy, does the Lord love us or what???? The answer has to be YES, for Him to trust us with the trails we have been given, we only hope we can be worthy to return to him as "survivors," not "belly-achers". Thanks for enduring the reading of today's novel....shorter next time, I hope. We love you all and again, thank you for your thoughts, calls, prayers, smiles, and the love that streams from your hearts to ours...we feel your love and thank you!Love,he Queen BlogerPosted by The Queen updater at 8:47 PM
Hello to all of you,Today was quite the day. I left for my Dr's appt. at 8:00 a.m. and didn't finish until 12 noon when I dashed over to the Huntsman Cancer Center to meet Dr. Ward with Dennis. The Center is really beautiful and the people there are so caring and kind. We didn't know the intention of this meeting, but soon realized it was for us to meet Dr. Ward's whole team. Rozie, Ann, Mary, Lynn and a few others whose names I can't remember were introduced to us and they were all very kind, patient and serving with their hearts as well as their hands.They checked Dennis' incision and said it looked good, except he still has the two drains in it and they are not very close to being ready to come out yet. So, he's still dragging them around with him. The Dr. basically said that we won't know the complete treatment plan until after next Wednesday when Dennis has the scan. The Dr. said that surprisingly enough, they are finding that men with breast cancer are responding quite well to women's hormones. So, his plan is to see how far and where the cancer has spread to, (hence, the scan), and then develop a full aggressive plan of attack. He also said that it would be an advantage if it had spread a little to places that he could zap with a healthy dose of chemo and radiation and with the hormones too. I really didn't understand a lot of his plan, but Dennis seemed to feel good about everything and is still really positive and upbeat about getting started. I just hate to see him get too sick from the chemo, but if it will do something to prolong his life I'm all for it! In short, we were really impressed with Dr. Ward and his whole staff and in the "other" short, we are anxiously awaiting next Wednesday and then getting down to business. We'll be updating as soon as we know anything.As for my appointment (you can stop reading here if you just wanted an update on Dennis, but this will be my "journal" of this time in our lives and so I'm including other things too). Anyway, back to "my appointment", I went into the Neuro Surgeon about my constant back pain. He took 12 more x-rays and basically said that I have osteoporosis so badly that I could not take a risk on having surgery on any part of my spine. The neck is still quite precarious, but surgery might not work and could even make it worse, so we'll leave it alone. The lower back is the main problem now. The two discs are sitting side by side instead of stacked and are bone on bone. Again, there is no way he would do surgery because of my bone density and the chance of being paralyzed or in worse pain than before. Then above those two discs there is more arthritis and bone spurs that need to be removed, but for the same reason this won't happen. In essence, I'm stuck having the pain until the spine collapses and then who knows where I'll be. However, the one bright side is that he wants me to try some kind of injection that an "injection specialist" does, and no, I don't know what it is, but it isn't cortisone. He would put it between the two lower side by side discs and see if that would relieve some of my pain and maybe even help the neuropathy in my left foot. Anyway, ya hoo, one more challenge, boy, does the Lord love us or what???? The answer has to be YES, for Him to trust us with the trails we have been given, we only hope we can be worthy to return to him as "survivors," not "belly-achers". Thanks for enduring the reading of today's novel....shorter next time, I hope. We love you all and again, thank you for your thoughts, calls, prayers, smiles, and the love that streams from your hearts to ours...we feel your love and thank you!Love,he Queen Bloger
May 22, 2008
Dennis Update - Thurs. May 22, 2008
Well, I did it again...composed and then pushed a button and lost it all. Dang! We'll try again.
We had a fun day, not too much "medical" to report. We went up to Logan to Grandparent's day, invited by our granddaughter, Emily.
She was so cute and so excited to see us and we were so excited to see her. They put on a darling program of poems and mini-plays and then our Miss Emily was the Grand Finale! She recited a huge poem all memorized and dramatized to the hilt! It was so darling For sure she should be headed to Broadway, she's a talented little darlin'.
After the program we went to eat lunch with her and it was really fun too. Then we went back into her room and played a card game. After that we had to head for the hills because our dear neighbors, Karl and Lyle Ann were bringing supper to us. Everyone is so kind and the food is so delicious! Some day I'll learn to cook AGAIN!
Now Dennis is at his High Council Thurs. night meeting. Yes folks you heard it right....suffering from cancer and still follows through on his Church assignments. That's another reason I love him so much!
Tomorrow is the big day....we go see the Oncologiest at 12:30 p.m.
Hope he'll have some uplifting things to say (for a change), we'll be anxious to meet with him. Next Wed. Dennis has the body scan to see where the cancer has spread to. I will be so glad when that day gets here so we will have some idea of what we are dealing with.
Thanks again for all your prayers and kindnessess...we are completely overwhelmed at the love we feel from everyone. We ask that God will bless all of you too. AND REMEMBER, WE BELIEVE
IN MIRACLES!!!!
The Queen Updater
We had a fun day, not too much "medical" to report. We went up to Logan to Grandparent's day, invited by our granddaughter, Emily.
She was so cute and so excited to see us and we were so excited to see her. They put on a darling program of poems and mini-plays and then our Miss Emily was the Grand Finale! She recited a huge poem all memorized and dramatized to the hilt! It was so darling For sure she should be headed to Broadway, she's a talented little darlin'.
After the program we went to eat lunch with her and it was really fun too. Then we went back into her room and played a card game. After that we had to head for the hills because our dear neighbors, Karl and Lyle Ann were bringing supper to us. Everyone is so kind and the food is so delicious! Some day I'll learn to cook AGAIN!
Now Dennis is at his High Council Thurs. night meeting. Yes folks you heard it right....suffering from cancer and still follows through on his Church assignments. That's another reason I love him so much!
Tomorrow is the big day....we go see the Oncologiest at 12:30 p.m.
Hope he'll have some uplifting things to say (for a change), we'll be anxious to meet with him. Next Wed. Dennis has the body scan to see where the cancer has spread to. I will be so glad when that day gets here so we will have some idea of what we are dealing with.
Thanks again for all your prayers and kindnessess...we are completely overwhelmed at the love we feel from everyone. We ask that God will bless all of you too. AND REMEMBER, WE BELIEVE
IN MIRACLES!!!!
The Queen Updater
May 21, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hi!
The pictures are of Teri and Dennis having a father/daughter moment and the other is Dennis enjoying his new "garage sale" chair..
Today Dr. Ward's office called and said Dr. Ward wanted to talk to us on Friday at
12:30 p.m. (Dr. Ward is our Oncologist). He's booked up for 3 or 4 months, but apparently has some things he wants to discuss before Dennis goes in for the Petscan or Pepscan or Bodyscan, or something like that! He is scheduled for the test next Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. We are waiting anxiously for this test because it will show us where the cancer has traveled.
It's been a good day for Dennis, he worked a few hours today and then came home and took it easy. We had dear friends bring us soup for supper and it was so delicious,
thanks so much to all of you who care so very much...you are so appreciated.
Last night as I was writing the Blog, I was so tired I kept falling asleep and banging my head on the computer monitor. I was sooooo tired, but I decided I wanted a low-fat fudgecycle before I went to bed (first big mistake.) I got one, put the TV on timer and I figured I fell asleep faster than I thought because when I woke up this morning, I had fudge ice cream all over my neck, face, nightgown, covers and to top it off, I was still holding the fudge bar's stick in my hand! Now, that's tired!
Tomorrow we are going up to Providence to go to Grandparents Day with Emily. She was so excited when she heard grandpa could come too. He's off work until next Tuesday!
Deanne and the kids are coming down for Saturday afternoon, night and Sunday Church and dinner. We are so excited to see them all! Michelle and Todd are on a mini-vacation and will be home Saturday night in time to come to dinner on Sunday. Teri and Ed and kids are learning how to work their newly purchased "Snow Shak"...(If you want to surprise them go into Soda Springs and go to Brolin's grocery store and tell them that Dennis and Marilyn said they would give you a FREE snow cone. (Lesson #1 in how NOT to make your relatives like you). Anyway, they are going to have a busy summer with the Snow Shak and the Fireworks Stand. Glad they're young and healthy!!
Well, before I bang my head again, I'm going to bed. We both send our love and thanks for all your prayers and good wishes...REMEMBER to PRAY FOR A MIRACLE! I know
that Dennis, if anyone, deserves it!
Love,
The Queen Updater
The pictures are of Teri and Dennis having a father/daughter moment and the other is Dennis enjoying his new "garage sale" chair..
Today Dr. Ward's office called and said Dr. Ward wanted to talk to us on Friday at
12:30 p.m. (Dr. Ward is our Oncologist). He's booked up for 3 or 4 months, but apparently has some things he wants to discuss before Dennis goes in for the Petscan or Pepscan or Bodyscan, or something like that! He is scheduled for the test next Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. We are waiting anxiously for this test because it will show us where the cancer has traveled.
It's been a good day for Dennis, he worked a few hours today and then came home and took it easy. We had dear friends bring us soup for supper and it was so delicious,
thanks so much to all of you who care so very much...you are so appreciated.
Last night as I was writing the Blog, I was so tired I kept falling asleep and banging my head on the computer monitor. I was sooooo tired, but I decided I wanted a low-fat fudgecycle before I went to bed (first big mistake.) I got one, put the TV on timer and I figured I fell asleep faster than I thought because when I woke up this morning, I had fudge ice cream all over my neck, face, nightgown, covers and to top it off, I was still holding the fudge bar's stick in my hand! Now, that's tired!
Tomorrow we are going up to Providence to go to Grandparents Day with Emily. She was so excited when she heard grandpa could come too. He's off work until next Tuesday!
Deanne and the kids are coming down for Saturday afternoon, night and Sunday Church and dinner. We are so excited to see them all! Michelle and Todd are on a mini-vacation and will be home Saturday night in time to come to dinner on Sunday. Teri and Ed and kids are learning how to work their newly purchased "Snow Shak"...(If you want to surprise them go into Soda Springs and go to Brolin's grocery store and tell them that Dennis and Marilyn said they would give you a FREE snow cone. (Lesson #1 in how NOT to make your relatives like you). Anyway, they are going to have a busy summer with the Snow Shak and the Fireworks Stand. Glad they're young and healthy!!
Well, before I bang my head again, I'm going to bed. We both send our love and thanks for all your prayers and good wishes...REMEMBER to PRAY FOR A MIRACLE! I know
that Dennis, if anyone, deserves it!
Love,
The Queen Updater
May 20, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Hi!
Let's give this another try today. I hope that you are all finding this blog because I'm having a hard time sending it out (and saving it). Oh well, I WILL learn how to use a computer, "I know I can, I know I can!"
Today we were worried that Dennis might have an infection in his incision because last night it was so red and sore looking (still no pain pills). I called the Dr. who wasn't in today, but they had another Dr. who could see him. Of course he was at work, so I called him and arranged to pick him up and go in to see what the problem was. Fortunately, it looked a lot better today, he was allergic to the tape, so the dr. changed the dressing and put some more gauze strips under the two drains. Hopefully within the next week he will be able to get the drains out, they are a pain.
Before I left to pick him up, the phone rang and it was our Surgeon, Dr. Reading.
She was off today, but her nurse called and told her we were coming in, so the dr. called soeone at the office to tell them Dennis' story and problems. Dr. Swenson was very nice, in fact he is from Provo and lived only a couple of blocks away from where I lived. He was extremely nice to us. He kinda OK'd Dennis being the hero of the neighborhood, but said to pay attention if he started feeling tired and not over due his charmed life of no pain! He said things looked good and the incision was healing well. I about passed out when I saw how big and hollow it was. The incision goes from the middle of his chest over to his side and up into the armpit area.
Dr. Reading called me and said that she had taken out 40 lympth nodes and 39 of them were full of cancer. Not good news. We decided to still go ahead with the body scan (Wed. May 28), and then followup with an appoinment with Dr. Ward at Huntsman Cancer Center, who will decide at that time what treatment they will use on Dennis. This is like a "wait and wait and wait game" and then you still don't really know anythingl Let's hope that next week will be a bit more informative.
After we came home and ate lunch Dennis went over to do some work with Jay and I headed for the nail center to get my nails done. We both got home about the same time and I'm doing the blog while he is making supper. See what I mean???
What a great guy! Lucky me!
More later....thanks again for all you do, say, and pray.
Marilyn
Let's give this another try today. I hope that you are all finding this blog because I'm having a hard time sending it out (and saving it). Oh well, I WILL learn how to use a computer, "I know I can, I know I can!"
Today we were worried that Dennis might have an infection in his incision because last night it was so red and sore looking (still no pain pills). I called the Dr. who wasn't in today, but they had another Dr. who could see him. Of course he was at work, so I called him and arranged to pick him up and go in to see what the problem was. Fortunately, it looked a lot better today, he was allergic to the tape, so the dr. changed the dressing and put some more gauze strips under the two drains. Hopefully within the next week he will be able to get the drains out, they are a pain.
Before I left to pick him up, the phone rang and it was our Surgeon, Dr. Reading.
She was off today, but her nurse called and told her we were coming in, so the dr. called soeone at the office to tell them Dennis' story and problems. Dr. Swenson was very nice, in fact he is from Provo and lived only a couple of blocks away from where I lived. He was extremely nice to us. He kinda OK'd Dennis being the hero of the neighborhood, but said to pay attention if he started feeling tired and not over due his charmed life of no pain! He said things looked good and the incision was healing well. I about passed out when I saw how big and hollow it was. The incision goes from the middle of his chest over to his side and up into the armpit area.
Dr. Reading called me and said that she had taken out 40 lympth nodes and 39 of them were full of cancer. Not good news. We decided to still go ahead with the body scan (Wed. May 28), and then followup with an appoinment with Dr. Ward at Huntsman Cancer Center, who will decide at that time what treatment they will use on Dennis. This is like a "wait and wait and wait game" and then you still don't really know anythingl Let's hope that next week will be a bit more informative.
After we came home and ate lunch Dennis went over to do some work with Jay and I headed for the nail center to get my nails done. We both got home about the same time and I'm doing the blog while he is making supper. See what I mean???
What a great guy! Lucky me!
More later....thanks again for all you do, say, and pray.
Marilyn
May 19, 2008
Dennis Updates - 5/19/08
Well, let's give this another chance. I wrote for an hour last night and lost it all again to the outer darkness place. Anyway, we had a lovely weekend. Teri came on Friday and helped us so much. While she was here she kept as busy as a little bee and cooked some ready to go meals that she put in the freezer for us to use when we have a busy day. She ran a lot of errands and basically just made everything easier. Thanks Ed and kids for letting her come and help us out at this
hard time! Happy Birthday, Adam!
Saturday, we needed an R & R, so there's no one funner to go garage selling with than Teri, so we hopped out of bed, gave Dennis some food and a hug and off we went leaving him to relax without us. We had so much fun and found sooo many
bargains! The best deal of all was a big leather rocker-recliner that was the exact color of my leather furniture in the front room...Looks like brand new and was only $20! Can you believe it? Dennis gave me a couple of crusty looks, like what the heck did you buy now? I had him sit in it and luckily (for me) is was "Love at
first sit!" Now we both race (limp slowly) to the comfy chair. The sweet boys across the street brought it in for us and helped us unload our million other "bargains"!
Dennis was pretty tired Saturday all day and needed to rest a lot. I tried to get him to take the old pain pill, but.....well you know old Iron Man, he wasn't going to mess with any pills, he was "JUST FINE, THANK YOU!" The surgeon told him he was "one tough old bird"!
Sunday morning Teri and I went to Sacrament Mtng. and it was really good, almost like they had written it for us. He talked about being a ward family and loving and supporting those who are in need at the time. The song was then "Count Your Many Blessings" and by then I couldn't quit crying. We are so blessed and we know it. You, family and friends, what a blessing you are to us. We feel as if everyone in the world is watching out for our welfare. The sweet Bishop has been over so often and today he was out mowing our front lawn. I about died and told him that some sweet young men across the street had offered to help Dennis out by mowing the lawn every week. He's such a good, caring Bishop and we adore he and his cute family.
Todd and Michelle and kids came over in the afternoon and we were so happy to see them. Rob and Judy came by as did CJ and Kathy. There are so many wonderful friends who care for us, even the phone had over 50 messages on it and it brings us to tears to know how many people are praying for Dennis to be able to recover from this rotten cancer. As I've said before....pray for a miracle!
Today, (Monday) Dennis got up and I heard him about 6 am fussing around in the bathroom. I went in to help him and he announced that he was going to go to work today... I wanted to BOP him and keep him home, but I realize this sitting around twiddling his fingers is darn boring and being at work just driving Lawyers from place to place would be more fun and productive. When I talked to him mid-
morning he sounded like the old Dennis again....up and positive and laughing and just enjoying life. I'm glad he went! Then he went over to Jay's office and gave some help to Jay. THEN he came home and started a wash, and by darn, just to show me he really is IRON MAN, he mowed the lawn with his left hand and walking rather slowly...the Bishop had mowed the front, so he did the back.
I was ready to sit on him, but I'm praying for a miracle, not a headline in the paper that says, "Chubby wife sits on husband to keep him healthy and he is found smothered to death!" Soooo, I guess I'm learning lessons about how people with terminal illnesses like to live their lives, especially that IRON MAN in my life who I love and would do anything for! He's a definite keeper!
We send our love and thanks for all your concern, prayers, food,calls just EVERYTHING!!!!! God bless all of you too!
hard time! Happy Birthday, Adam!
Saturday, we needed an R & R, so there's no one funner to go garage selling with than Teri, so we hopped out of bed, gave Dennis some food and a hug and off we went leaving him to relax without us. We had so much fun and found sooo many
bargains! The best deal of all was a big leather rocker-recliner that was the exact color of my leather furniture in the front room...Looks like brand new and was only $20! Can you believe it? Dennis gave me a couple of crusty looks, like what the heck did you buy now? I had him sit in it and luckily (for me) is was "Love at
first sit!" Now we both race (limp slowly) to the comfy chair. The sweet boys across the street brought it in for us and helped us unload our million other "bargains"!
Dennis was pretty tired Saturday all day and needed to rest a lot. I tried to get him to take the old pain pill, but.....well you know old Iron Man, he wasn't going to mess with any pills, he was "JUST FINE, THANK YOU!" The surgeon told him he was "one tough old bird"!
Sunday morning Teri and I went to Sacrament Mtng. and it was really good, almost like they had written it for us. He talked about being a ward family and loving and supporting those who are in need at the time. The song was then "Count Your Many Blessings" and by then I couldn't quit crying. We are so blessed and we know it. You, family and friends, what a blessing you are to us. We feel as if everyone in the world is watching out for our welfare. The sweet Bishop has been over so often and today he was out mowing our front lawn. I about died and told him that some sweet young men across the street had offered to help Dennis out by mowing the lawn every week. He's such a good, caring Bishop and we adore he and his cute family.
Todd and Michelle and kids came over in the afternoon and we were so happy to see them. Rob and Judy came by as did CJ and Kathy. There are so many wonderful friends who care for us, even the phone had over 50 messages on it and it brings us to tears to know how many people are praying for Dennis to be able to recover from this rotten cancer. As I've said before....pray for a miracle!
Today, (Monday) Dennis got up and I heard him about 6 am fussing around in the bathroom. I went in to help him and he announced that he was going to go to work today... I wanted to BOP him and keep him home, but I realize this sitting around twiddling his fingers is darn boring and being at work just driving Lawyers from place to place would be more fun and productive. When I talked to him mid-
morning he sounded like the old Dennis again....up and positive and laughing and just enjoying life. I'm glad he went! Then he went over to Jay's office and gave some help to Jay. THEN he came home and started a wash, and by darn, just to show me he really is IRON MAN, he mowed the lawn with his left hand and walking rather slowly...the Bishop had mowed the front, so he did the back.
I was ready to sit on him, but I'm praying for a miracle, not a headline in the paper that says, "Chubby wife sits on husband to keep him healthy and he is found smothered to death!" Soooo, I guess I'm learning lessons about how people with terminal illnesses like to live their lives, especially that IRON MAN in my life who I love and would do anything for! He's a definite keeper!
We send our love and thanks for all your concern, prayers, food,calls just EVERYTHING!!!!! God bless all of you too!
May 17, 2008
Dennis Updates - 5/17/08
Well, Hello again. I tried to do a blog yesterday and when I pushed the "magic'
button it went to outer darkness and I was so tired I decided I'd try again tonight.
The surgery on Thursday was really a hard surgery. The surgeon, Teresa Reading,
was such a jewel, she even had the nurse call out during the surgery as I had
requested to tell me if the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. Unfortunately,
it had spread to all of the lymph nodes and she was very concerned. However, he came out of the anesthetic and only had one pain shot and then has not had even one pain pill since then.....I knew he was tough and boy, is he!
Mom Wilson, Todd & Michelle and myself were at the hospital all day waiting for the surgery to end...they had backed up pretty bad and Dennis had to wait until nearly 1:00 p.m. to go in. He walked down with the orderly and dropped the rest of us off at the waiting room door. He was laughing and joking and we were all having a good old time. However, after nearly 3 hours of surgery we were beginning to worry and wonder as to what was happening.
When the Dr. took us in the consult room, she said that the cancer had spread to all of the lymph nodes and so she wants him to have a body cancer scan as soon as he is a little stronger to see how far the cancer has spread. After that our Oncologist (Dr. Ward at the U) will decide what kind of treatment they will try. He comes highly recommended and we adore the surgeonl, so we are in good hands and have felt peace from our Heavenly Father over and over.
Teri arrived Friday at about noon and has been wonderful to help us. She's a busy little bee and has been cooking and running errands and watching a movie with her dad. We surely appreciate all of our children and the help they have all been in giving us such great support. We know how blessed we are and oh, how we love our little grandchildren too!
We want to thank all of you friends and family that have called, come over and been there to offer any help we might need. We feel loved and that love is sent right back to all of you....thank you!
We're especially grateful to our new Bishop Arrigona, he has been by our side nearly every day offering love, support and blessings, plus run errands for us. He is a wonderful man and we thank him so much for his caring.
Today Teri and I decided we needed have a little R & R and Dennis was probably glad to see me leave because I keep trying to make him take a pain pill. If he won't take it, I will: and if he won't rest, I will. Pathetic isn't it?
Anyway, we went garage selling and Teri is the perfect one to go with. We laughed and found sooooo many bargains, but the best one of all was finding a green leather rocker recliner that matched our other leather furniture EXACTLY!
And the price couldn't have been better.....$20 !!! I bought it and brought it home and got some pretty crusty looks from Dennis for spending the money, but the minute he sat in it, it was "love at first sit"!!! Problem is we find ourselves trying to beat each other to the new chair cause it's so comfy!
Also today, Dennis has been quite tired. I think it finally caught up to him, emotionally, and every other way. He's been pretty tired and so Teri was sweet enough to lay on the bed and watch a movie with him and they both enjoyed that. I came in here to try and do the blog, hope it works.
Well, that's enough for tonight. Again we won't know much until after the body scan, but we sure would appreciate it if you would keep your faith and prayer going in our behalf.
Love to all of you!
button it went to outer darkness and I was so tired I decided I'd try again tonight.
The surgery on Thursday was really a hard surgery. The surgeon, Teresa Reading,
was such a jewel, she even had the nurse call out during the surgery as I had
requested to tell me if the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. Unfortunately,
it had spread to all of the lymph nodes and she was very concerned. However, he came out of the anesthetic and only had one pain shot and then has not had even one pain pill since then.....I knew he was tough and boy, is he!
Mom Wilson, Todd & Michelle and myself were at the hospital all day waiting for the surgery to end...they had backed up pretty bad and Dennis had to wait until nearly 1:00 p.m. to go in. He walked down with the orderly and dropped the rest of us off at the waiting room door. He was laughing and joking and we were all having a good old time. However, after nearly 3 hours of surgery we were beginning to worry and wonder as to what was happening.
When the Dr. took us in the consult room, she said that the cancer had spread to all of the lymph nodes and so she wants him to have a body cancer scan as soon as he is a little stronger to see how far the cancer has spread. After that our Oncologist (Dr. Ward at the U) will decide what kind of treatment they will try. He comes highly recommended and we adore the surgeonl, so we are in good hands and have felt peace from our Heavenly Father over and over.
Teri arrived Friday at about noon and has been wonderful to help us. She's a busy little bee and has been cooking and running errands and watching a movie with her dad. We surely appreciate all of our children and the help they have all been in giving us such great support. We know how blessed we are and oh, how we love our little grandchildren too!
We want to thank all of you friends and family that have called, come over and been there to offer any help we might need. We feel loved and that love is sent right back to all of you....thank you!
We're especially grateful to our new Bishop Arrigona, he has been by our side nearly every day offering love, support and blessings, plus run errands for us. He is a wonderful man and we thank him so much for his caring.
Today Teri and I decided we needed have a little R & R and Dennis was probably glad to see me leave because I keep trying to make him take a pain pill. If he won't take it, I will: and if he won't rest, I will. Pathetic isn't it?
Anyway, we went garage selling and Teri is the perfect one to go with. We laughed and found sooooo many bargains, but the best one of all was finding a green leather rocker recliner that matched our other leather furniture EXACTLY!
And the price couldn't have been better.....$20 !!! I bought it and brought it home and got some pretty crusty looks from Dennis for spending the money, but the minute he sat in it, it was "love at first sit"!!! Problem is we find ourselves trying to beat each other to the new chair cause it's so comfy!
Also today, Dennis has been quite tired. I think it finally caught up to him, emotionally, and every other way. He's been pretty tired and so Teri was sweet enough to lay on the bed and watch a movie with him and they both enjoyed that. I came in here to try and do the blog, hope it works.
Well, that's enough for tonight. Again we won't know much until after the body scan, but we sure would appreciate it if you would keep your faith and prayer going in our behalf.
Love to all of you!
May 15, 2008
May 15th Update
This is the first day of the blog to keep you updated on the condition of Dennis' recovery.
Today was the surgery. The doctor said she had to remove all of the lymph nodes as they had cancer in them. We'll be visiting again with the doctor on monday to discuss a plan of action. Sorry we probably won't know much more until then. In the meantime, we ask for your prayers and will update the blog as soon as we learn more.
Photos from the hospital prior to surgery:
Marilyn, Michelle, Dennis and Effie enjoy a giggle before surgery
Dennis preferred to walk to the operating room
Michelle, Dennis and Todd
Next update will come soon...
Today was the surgery. The doctor said she had to remove all of the lymph nodes as they had cancer in them. We'll be visiting again with the doctor on monday to discuss a plan of action. Sorry we probably won't know much more until then. In the meantime, we ask for your prayers and will update the blog as soon as we learn more.
Photos from the hospital prior to surgery:
Marilyn, Michelle, Dennis and Effie enjoy a giggle before surgery
Dennis preferred to walk to the operating room
Michelle and Dennis
Michelle, Dennis and Todd
Next update will come soon...
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