New Grandson, Mattex Charles

February 4, 2008

Gary began his next round of chemo, Gemzar, on Friday, February 1st. He was suppose to start it the week that the Guillain Barre hit, so it has been detained about six weeks. He is given it intervenously, a 2 hour drip, every Friday at the new Huntsman Intermountain Health Care facility on 53rd So. in Murray. It will be administered to him every week for three weeks - then a week off - then three weeks again, etc. indefinitely. He has felt flu-like symtoms from it. We, of course, do not know our future. The chemo treatment's intent is to aid in the pancreatic cancer symtoms in the digestive system. It will not cure the cancer, but hopefully control it. We are still hoping for the best for a little more extension on his life.
The Guillain Barre syndrome in his body is about 85-90% cured. The remaining percentage could take months to return completely. It is a blessing for him to be able to walk and function!
Thank you for your love and prayers. We feel them immensely!

I was with Dad a good part of the day today and he is doing great. With my son Nick, Dad and I, drove up Provo Canyon and had breakfast in Heber. He did not bring his walker and with very little assistance was able to walk most of the day by himself. Last night we were able to go see his grandson Jake play basketball for Orem High. We got back from Heber and watched the BYU-Utah game while Grandma took Nick to the movies. I then drove Dad to the theatre to meet Mom for a movie. So they are getting around and both seem to be in very good spirits. I would guess by the end of the month he will not need his walker, but some assistance as he uses stairs, hills, etc.

We met with Dr. Whisenant today, our oncologist, and Gary is scheduled to begin another round of chemo beginning on Feb. 1. He will go once a week for a couple of months for the intravenous 1 & 1/2 hour Gemcitabin. It is not planned to eradicate the tumor, but to control it and to minimize the effects of the cancer, hopefully with minimal side effects from the chemo - except for nausea, etc. Gary is doing better and better with his mobility. He still will go to therapy every other day through the first week of Feb. He is able to walk a bit on his own around the house which is a big step.

(These are some excerpts from Mom's journal. Although every phone call, meal, and person talked to is explained in detail in her actual journal, most have been left out of this blog. Words cannot describe how much each note, call, words of encouragement mean to both our mom and dad)

Sunday, January 13, 2008
After our children attended their own Ward Sacrament Meetings today,
they then gathered in our home later in the afternoon as a family to have a little home Sacrament Meeting with Gary and I. We sang “I Am a Child of God” and then Aubrey gave the opening prayer. We had some announcements followed by the Sacrament. Pete blessed the bread and Dave blessed the water and Kaden passed the Sacrament to Gary and I. It was tender and teary for me as I had not had a chance to take the Sacrament since Nate’s mission farewell on December 9th five weeks ago in St. George. Courtney gave a spiritual thought on the first lesson in the RS/Priesthood Manual on Joseph Smith. I followed with some thoughts from our daily scripture reading. Jodi read some scriptural and hymn quotes and Dave gave the closing prayer. Cherisa and her girls and also Britton joined us after their Sunday meetings and then our family enjoyed dinner with the various soups, salad and breads that people had brought during the week. We have received constant phone calls from each of our dear children throughout the week. Our children and their mates and our grandchildren are our life! What would we ever do without them? We love them so!!! They are our strength and our reason to live and move forward. So we end this week and begin another. What will it bring?...........

Saturday, January 12, 2008
Gary and I went to another movie this afternoon, “National Treasure.” We met Pete and Courtney afterwards for dinner at Mi Ranchitos. We had a nice visit with Pete and Nick earlier today. I have, again, felt tired today and let’s face it - a little bit irritable. Maybe I’m just worn out. My quote today said, “A smile is a crooked line that sets everything straight.” I need to try and practice that. I know that this time in our eternal lives is but a “twinkling of an eye.” I cannot fall victim to ignoring the lessons from it! We have many people caring for us.

Friday, January 11, 2008
Gary and I went to a movie today! We went to the Provo Towne Center and saw “The Great Debaters.” Afterwards, we went to the Red Robin for a hamburger and a chocolate malt. It was fun to do some “normal” things. I have felt very tired tonight.

Thursday, January 10, 2008
Gary did very well in therapy today walking alone for about 10 steps. We were very hungry and tired when we got home and found at our doorstop some delicious hot soup, bread, salad and cake from Cherisa! It was so timely! We scarfed it right up!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Today has been very busy! We started out going to a 9:00 occupational therapy session at Utah Valley. We will continue going there for OT and PT three times a week. After the session Gary had a blood test done. By the time we got home, it was about 3:30 and we were both very tired. Hopefully, tonight we might be able to relax and watch a DVD movie. As Gary came into the bedroom tonight where I was working on altering some pajama bottoms for him, he lay on the bed and I asked if him everything was alright and he told me that he had started to experience tinges of sharp pain in his back on the right side last night. They continued somewhat today. Is this the beginning of his pain and discomfort with his cancer?

Sunday, January 6, 2008
Today is our beautiful daughter, Cherisa’s birthday - she is 39 years old. She is such a blessing in our lives - always so thoughtful and caring and loving. We love her so!!! Today went quite well with Gary’s shower and all. Things work out nicely in our little condo. We slept pretty good and have had just an easy day.



Saturday, January 5, 2008
We brought Gary home today! - Yea! Pete helped me. There was a snow storm everywhere, but the roads were clear and only wet - not iced over. Gary told Andy that he has fit back into our home “like a glove.” Our home accommodates his needs very well beings that he relies heavily on a walker to get around. We have borrowed the one that Dad used and it works very nicely for him. He can move around the furniture and with a little assistance can even get in and out of the shower with a stool to sit on while showering. We are grateful for our present home for the convenience that it gives us. We feel peaceful and content here. My scriptures this morning were directive to me: Paraphrased - We must not murmur in challenges and trials that we find ourselves in as we lack the details to perceive the quiet and often mysterious workings of the Lord. God does not call upon us to act in blind obedience, for dynamic discipleship demonstrates intelligent obedience. “When difficult moments come to us, one thing alone will stand the test of time, of all tribulation, all trouble, and all transgression. One thing only never faileth–and that is the pure love of Christ.” Jeffrey R. Holland “If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.”

Gary will be coming home today and will continue with out-patient therapy. He is getting stronger and more coordinated each day, but he is not able to walk on his own yet - hopefully soon. We're grateful for his progress since he couldn't do anything at first!
Lots of love, Glenda