"Chemo Coaster..."

Jake Baby Blessing

Bailee Baptism

Ammon Baby Blessing

It is not my intention to use this blog as a platform to document the misery and deterioration that this disease can cause, especially since it is impacting the life of my Father, however it is a place where I can share experiences that may help others to know they are not alone in thinking and feeling the many thoughts and emotions they will also experience as Caretakers, Family Members, Friends or even a Cancer Crusader themselves. My hope is that by sharing who Daddy is as a person, and the choices he makes each day to "Stand Up To Cancer." someone may find the comfort and solace they are seeking and know there is happiness to be found within the hours that pass throughout the days, months and hopefully years after a Cancer diagnosis. So I will give a brief update on the physical alignments he is experiencing at this time but will focus mostly on the choices he has made in continuing to live and laugh with those around him while he is blessed with time to do so.Since my last post Daddy has had a catheter placed in his abdomen, allowing us to drain his stomach from home on a more consistent basis; Mom does this and she is amazing. 

Moon Lake

Fish Lake

Bear Lake







Swimming in St. George

 "Leftie and Rightie"

The first few times we did this it was a little                   

bit startling, but knowing that when we do  it Daddy is able to avoid having to endure the discomfort, nausea and dehydration that he would be experiencing otherwise gets you past the emotional heartbreak real quick. Since the placement of this catheter Daddy has been able to eat and drink a little more, not that he wants to, but he does it and has been able to keep it all down! His hands and feet are still sore but when "Leftie" and "Rightie" (Mindie and Sarah) are in town they do a great job moisturizing his feet which helps a lot, so he has now appropriately nicknamed the two of them "Leftie and Rightie." His circulation is not fantastic, if he sits for too long his legs and ankles begin to swell and he turns into an Avatar, at least from the knees down anyway. His energy levels are still low but he is able to get up and down for short periods of time. He even attended church last week to help take part in the Blessing of a "Jedi," Ammon Lucas Wintle, his latest grandson. If you haven't read the "Book of Mormon" and your not a fan of  "Star Wars" you won't get any part of that joke, but trust me it's funny and it makes Daddy Laugh every time. Hospice comes in twice a week and of course, as expected they are very kind and empathetic to our situation. They provide a lot of peace of mind and validation, especially for our Sweet Mother who does such an incredible job taking care of Daddy. To be honest I don't know how she manages to get through the day  sometimes but she does it; her dedication is definitely eternal.                                                    

41st Wedding Anniversary- Manti Temple

 

It has been very difficult to watch Daddy go into this decline over the past few weeks, however we do not overlook the incredible blessings and the kindness our Father in Heaven has shown to us. I remember thinking when Daddy was first diagnosed nearly a year ago how grateful I would be if we could only have him with us for another year. Here we are today, nearly at the end of that request and I am grateful. Not only were we given this time with Daddy but he has also been blessed with the health, strength and energy he has needed to enjoy this time with his Family and Friends. He has accomplished several of his goals and been able to participate and experience in what our Family has considered to be moments of measurements or milestones. Things like being well enough to celebrate Christmas, and then being able to see his 16th Grandchild, Jake Merrill, born and blessed. Of course his 41st Wedding Anniversary in March, spent at the Manti Temple and then an evening with Burt Bacharach! Bailee's Baptism and Confirmation in May, fishing trips throughout the summer, Major



My Birthday and Father's Day Golf

League Baseball Games, Swimming and Golf in St. George, my birthday of course (Only mentioned because I was born on Father's Day and so for Daddy and I this is like our own little Holiday) and then a milestone for our entire Family was of course, Father's Day itself. An opportunity we hoped we would have to celebrate with him here on this earth. He has been able to spend time at Moon Lake, Bear Lake, and St. George, seen Mary Poppins, The Beach Boys and last week he was able to attend, as earlier mentioned, the blessing of his 17th Grandchild, Ammon Lucas. Next week he is looking forward to another milestone, Fish Lake. A Labor Day camping tradition for my Family since I was young and that is where we are at now. Fighting everyday with Leftie, Rightie, Jedi's and Avatars for the life we want to live. You might be asking what do we do now or how we move forward after the Dr. has told us there are no more treatment options available? I think Dr. Seuss gives the best advice regarding this very situation when saying:

 

 "Sometimes the questions are complicated, but the answers are simple." 

 

And He is right, the answer for us is very simple. It is this, when Dr's Say there is nothing else they can do, then it is especially the time to make sure each day is one worth remembering, ours days as of late are spent looking a little like this....

Ladies and Gentleman keep your Arms and Legs in at all times, and enjoy...

"The Chemo Coaster-"