May 11, 2010

Standing firm through it all.

A few of you have been kind enough to inquire after my father through emails, so I thought I'd give a quick little update.

In January of this year, he was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma (cancer). Stage four means the cancer had spread clear down to his bone marrow.

About a month ago he started chemo therapy. While it has been anything but easy, he is doing quite well, above and beyond the doctor's expectations. We hope and pray that he will continue to beat this.

In the last 3-4 months, he has dropped over 70 pounds. And while it has been a tough and painful road, he keeps his incurable sense of humor in tact.

Here are a few exerts from our family blog where he keeps us all updated.

Oh no! I got on the scale this morning and what did I see? I had gained a pound! And I was doing so well on my diet! My appetite is coming back, and I am moving things more freely now so I will have to be extra careful not to gain any more. This is the most successful diet I have ever been on. Now I can add the "Lymphoma Chemo Diet," to my "diet" of diets! 

~~~

OUCH! Oweee, owweee, owweeeee!
Rituxan is a harsh mistress and a mean mistreater. Sucking on the chemo juice can be very painful. Since Rituxam targets the terrorist B-cell Lymphocytes, like an AC130 Gunship with quad miniguns firing 6,000 rounds a piece, a lot of death and destruction occurs at one time. One's lymph nodes start to hurt, then the aching pain increases as terrorist B-cell Lymphocytes die by the thousands. One finally cries out in pain, "Help me!"

~~~

I developed blisters on my tongue and fever blisters on my lips and in my nose. It is extremely painful to eat some things. Brushing ones teeth is very difficult. It feels like your mouth is being run over by an Abrams M1A1 battle tank. I could just not brush my teeth, but then you in other states might be able to tell. “Phew! What IS that smell!

~~~

I will, as my son-in law said, “emerge from chemo as an indestructible superhero capable of crushing any villain with your superhuman radioactive powers.” Actually, I just want to work and do things without collapsing from fatigue and exhaustion.

~~~

This is me and my dad Thanksgiving 2009. 


And here were are Mother's Day 2010.


And through it all he bears his undeniable witness and testimony of the reality of God's existence and of the Savior's love for him, and for all of us.

My hero.




29 super cool people speak:

Scrappy Girl said...

I love his sense of humor. I am relatively new to your blog and this is the first I am hearing of your sweet dad. Well, now he has another cheerleader!

Jocelyn Christensen said...

He needs his own blog! Lovely man!

Mikki said...

He sounds like an awesome guy! Sending my prayers his and your way.

Mother Smith said...

Wonderful tribute to your Dad...Being POSITIVE...through any trial...often takes the "sting" out of adversity...

With all the prayers and fasting in his behalf...I do believe he will make it to the SECOND COMING!!! (smile)

Lisa said...

I have a dear friend going through chemo right now. Tomorrow is her third treatment and it about wipes her out. What a blessing to have him with you and to be fighting this fight. And a tender mercy to have these medicines and knowledge. But alas, wouldn't we sometimes wish there was no opposition in all things? I hope the very best for you all.

Susan Anderson said...

He sounds like a good hero to have.

And his sense of humor can only help boost his immune system as he fights all of this off.

I will keep you all in my prayers. Thanks for sharing this little bit of your dad.

=)

Carrie said...

A definite hero for sure. Hugs to you and your dad!

ldsjaneite said...

He (and his wife) have to be more than amazing to have such wonderful children and grandchildren!

Braden Bell said...

That is beautiful, Serene. I am sorry that I somehow missed this major devleopment in your life. I hope he continues to have the strength and grace to find humor and hope.

Anne said...

Saying a prayer for your dad...

(Now we know where you got your funniness from!) (is funniness a word?)

Neisha said...

**hugs**

See Mom Smile said...

Love the blog excerpts. What an amazing attitude. LOVE the pics. Big virtual hugs to you and your dad.

mCat said...

What a beautiful tribute to your dad, and I loved his blog excerpts. He has a great sense of humor through all this crap!

Best wishes with lots of hugs and prayers sent your way!

Brittney said...

Awwww Serene I hope he continues to do well. I'm glad you got to see him on Mother's Day. HUGS to you.

Anonymous said...

I see where you get your marvelous sense of humor from. What an awesome dad and what a trooper!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Beautiful tribute Serene! I love you to death!
I love your dads humor. Sometimes that's all we have.

HUGS and PRAYERS for your family.

Hil said...

What an amazing man you have for a father. He, as well as the rest of your family, are still in my prayers as he goes through this trial!

Pitterle Postings said...

Amazing post. Love your dad's sense of humor. Hope all is well for you. I know that your Heavenly Father is watching out for you both. Remember always that you ARE Loved!

Pedaling said...

oh, the tender love between father and daughter- i know that love.
hug him tight!

Lisa @ Pulsipher Page said...

He is totally a super hero. How blessed you are to have him as your dad.

Sarah Larsen said...

I agree, he IS a lovely man! Thank you for sharing his strength. Also, I love seeing pictures of you! You're adorable!

Vanessa said...

It is so amazing to me to see people who not only go through these enormous trials, but do it in a positive way. If I could just be like that. I hope your dad and your family come through and be blessed beyond understanding.

Charlotte said...

Thanks for the update, especially sharing his ability to find humor in a difficult situation.

The Damsel In Dis Dress said...

I know first hand how tough chemo is. Your dad is lucky to have you to help him through it. That makes all the difference!

Krista said...

Your dad looks so young! He sounds like a fighter and I hope the best for your whole family. He is hilarious! BTW, I tagged you with a meme on my blog.

Kelly said...

Your dad is splendid! What a sense of humor and lightheartedness! Thank you for posting about him because i have been praying for him and your family! I hope he keeps doing well!!!

The Kooky Queen--Rachel said...

That must be so hard for you to watch! He is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome though! His humor and spunk even through such a miserable experience, WOW!

Mike and Adrianne said...

I'm slow at commenting and new to your blog so I didn't know about your dad. I'm sorry you have to go through this but you sound so positive about it and I love the humor you dad has about things. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Rachel Sue said...

Thanks for posting this. I needed it today. My MIL was diagnosed with lymphoma just yesterday. We are all still kind of reeling.

It's good to hear that through it all your dad has kept such a great attitude. I hope my MIL can do the same thing.

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