Monday, May 20, 2013

A Day at a Time

My father is an amazing man.  In the summer of 2011, we learned that he has lymphoma cancer.  Since we caught the cancer early on, no immediate treatment was necessary, and he started having occasional check-ups to make sure everything was still under control.  In recent weeks, he started to feel tired and a bit ill, and after having some tests done, we learned that he has acute leukemia.  As of last week, he started chemotherapy, and it is expected that he will be in the hospital for a good month, allowing time for recovery from the chemo.

What inspires me is how positive he has been with all of this.  My mother has been up to visit him nearly every day, and not a day goes by that he doesn't contact us children to tell us that he loves us.  It has been hard for him to be away from the family thus far; I just returned home from a mission, my little sister will be graduating soon, and we expect her to receive her mission call this week.  A lot is happening.  But like I said, he has been very positive and optimistic about things.

I am creating this blog to keep everyone updated on the situation.  I won't be posting daily-- in fact, it may only be once a week.  But I will do my best to keep everyone up to date on what is happening and how treatment is going.

 Dad has already received many letters and phone calls, a few visitors, and even a plant :)  Unfortunately, the plant can't be with him in his room, so we are keeping it out in the lobby where he can see it when out for a walk :)  We have decorated his 'home' with pictures, artificial flowers.  He also has books to read and a journal to write in to keep himself busy.

To family and friends:  Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  We are so grateful for the love we have felt from each one of you.

(Dad and his siblings with their spouses at one of his nephews weddings)
(Dad makes awesome homemade ice cream!  At family reunions, it's usually the first to go :)
 (The family)
(Scouting get-up and a beautiful sunset---  life doesn't get much better ;)