My Dad

The last three weeks have been life changing. My dad was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma Type B Follicular Cancer. After undergoing many tests, scans, biopsies, bone marrow biopsies, and surgery they came to this diagnosis.

He had his first chemo treatment on Thursday of last week. What a horrible thing to go through. I am grateful for the gospel and the power of the priesthood and the love my family has for one another. I am grateful the cancer was found now at stage 2 of the cancer (stages are 1 to 4. Four being the worst). Lymphoma is a cancer you can battle with and win if you are in the early stages. The road ahead will be hard, heart breaking and discouraging at times but we are all hopeful for a full recovery.

We found out about the cancer in the middle of the night 3 weeks ago. My parents were in Wyoming and an ER doctor gave them the news. I received a call from my sister at 4:30am telling me the situation. Talk about a nightmare of a call. Also it completely blind sided me since I had no reason to expect this. One half hour later my sister and my older brother Jeff were on my doorstep. Everyone of my siblings were in that car and we drove to Wyoming to be there with my mom and my dad. At that time we did not know what type of lymphoma he had, how much it had spread or what stage it was in. Three weeks later we know what type, what stage and that it has not spread to the bone marrow. For this we are very thankful.

The type of cancer he has is very aggressive and he will be receiving chemo every 2 weeks for the coming months. Followed by radiation 5 days a week for a full month. He is always on my mind and in my heart as well as my mom as they go through this together. I only wish I could do more to help. It is quite a helpless feeling.

I know of the power of prayer and I have my Dad's name on the temple prayer roll and a prayer in my heart daily. Since my blog is private I felt that I could share some of what we are going through at this time and ask that you too pray for my dad. I will put posts on here from time to time of his progress.

Bryan and the kids and I are headed to Powell in the morning. Originally the trip was planned with my parents coming along as well. (My entire family is going). My Dad was still considering going this morning with us. However the fatigue and pains suggested he stay. We will all miss him and my mom while we are there but will see them this weekend. My Dad didn't want us to cancel the trip.