I wrote this in August, and just never published it until today.
I haven't been blogging, and trust me I have had plenty to say. :) I just think that sometimes blogging is therapeutic, and other times it isn't. I can now look back and talk about a few things.
The week of the yard sale we ended up at Huntsman. I was sad to miss the sale, as we both were excited to see and feel all the support. However; we still felt it. Family and friend took pictures, and they raised over $4,000! While we were at Huntsman for the week they were able to get rid of his AWFUL pain in his shoulder, neck, and back. They also got him all hydrated. While doing testing to find out what was causing his pain they found cancer in his spine... one lesion. Of course we didn't take the news with a smile, but we didn't have a melt down either. It is just one more lesion to fight, right? Well, the next morning (Sunday) we were having a chat and our emotions were slight anger but more frustration. We asked some hard questions to each other, the ones no one really knows the answers to, and some that were ridicules but felt fitting for the moment. While in the middle of this conversation some members of the LDS church came by to offer the sacrament. This elder proceeded to tell us about the priesthood lesson that day. Is all I can say is he answered those questions for us, without even knowing we had asked them. It was one of the most incredible experiences we have had. We are not alone. Heavenly Father knows our struggles, and he listens to our prayers. Although our life isn't the way we 'pictured' it being, we are strong because we have hope, and because we have faith. And mostly because our Heavenly Father helps us through it.
The following week he had chemo again. Instead of it being 3 weeks of chemo and one week break it has been every other week a few times. It kicked his butt! I think it was just because he has been so weak, dehydrated, sick, frail, and so on. Last week chemo wasn't as bad, he suffered some migraines but I can see some improvement. When he was at the doctor they drained 1.6 liters of fluid from his abdomen. They did testing to find out if it was from the IV's he has been having or if it was cancer related. The fluid causing a TON of bloating and makes him very uncomfortable. Today, Monday August 26th we are at Huntsman again. Chemo. He has had the same belly issues so they drained his stomach again. I really wanted to take a picture for the blog but since I can't look... I figured I better not. :) Today they drained almost 4 liters. Instant relief. ((If you saw the size of the needle that goes into his side you would need to look away too)) We have about a half hour and then we get to go home!
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| TEAM T-BONE. |
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| Cousins! |
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| Mike and Syd, HuGe supporters! |
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| My mama and Phil. :) |
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| Keaton and his awesome friends, they have been so supportive! |
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| Love. See her awesome purple in her hair for her daddy? |
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| Our family! |
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| All the colors represent team everyone! |
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| Rich and his mama |
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| Rich with Ann, Tylers mama |
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| Rich with our hero, Becky |
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| Keaton and Josh finished! |
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| My brother and his cute family, finished!! |
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| T-Bone and his twin! |
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| Averi finishing |
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| Our sweet little niece |
Backing up a bit... This summer has been hard. I think we have both been on 'empty' but I am HaPpY to SaY that because of awesome people we are refueled! With the yard sale starting it all off, and then Anything For A Friend had an awesome event in honor of a boy that lost his life while battling cancer. The strength his mom and family carry is amazing, as they were faced with everyone's worse nightmare. BUT in HIS honor her (Ann) and Becky held a Fight To The Finish 5k. This was Tyler's motto, and man has it caught on. Love it! They allowed others that are going through a hard time register their own team, or they were honored to register under team Tyler. This wasn't an ordinary event. It was spiritual. It was heartfelt. It was amazing! They are amazing ladies. We were honored to be there representing Team TBone, in Tyler's memory. Just two days before that Rich couldn't even make it out to our mailbox, yet this day he was able to attend the event. We didn't run/walk the 5k but he sure did a lot of walking. <3
Although we did have a heartbreaking week, Richs' brother, Todd, passed away. We had a viewing Aug 16th. That was a hard day, but we found peace in it as well. We were also very happy that Rich was able to attend, as we were not sure he would be able to make it. RIP Todd. It was nice seeing his sisters, just wish it could have been under better circumstances.
I better end this, it is almost time for us to head home to our kids. This morning I had to take Av into the dr, found out she has a mild concussion so bubba has been on baby sitting duty. It will be nice to go home and love on her. Although, I am glad I came to chemo with him today. I have the best family ever! I just need three of me! :) I am sure most of you mom's can relate.
~Christel
The week of the yard sale we ended up at Huntsman. I was sad to miss the sale, as we both were excited to see and feel all the support. However; we still felt it. Family and friend took pictures, and they raised over $4,000! While we were at Huntsman for the week they were able to get rid of his AWFUL pain in his shoulder, neck, and back. They also got him all hydrated. While doing testing to find out what was causing his pain they found cancer in his spine... one lesion. Of course we didn't take the news with a smile, but we didn't have a melt down either. It is just one more lesion to fight, right? Well, the next morning (Sunday) we were having a chat and our emotions were slight anger but more frustration. We asked some hard questions to each other, the ones no one really knows the answers to, and some that were ridicules but felt fitting for the moment. While in the middle of this conversation some members of the LDS church came by to offer the sacrament. This elder proceeded to tell us about the priesthood lesson that day. Is all I can say is he answered those questions for us, without even knowing we had asked them. It was one of the most incredible experiences we have had. We are not alone. Heavenly Father knows our struggles, and he listens to our prayers. Although our life isn't the way we 'pictured' it being, we are strong because we have hope, and because we have faith. And mostly because our Heavenly Father helps us through it. 
The following week he had chemo again. Instead of it being 3 weeks of chemo and one week break it has been every other week a few times. It kicked his butt! I think it was just because he has been so weak, dehydrated, sick, frail, and so on. Last week chemo wasn't as bad, he suffered some migraines but I can see some improvement. When he was at the doctor they drained 1.6 liters of fluid from his abdomen. They did testing to find out if it was from the IV's he has been having or if it was cancer related. The fluid causing a TON of bloating and makes him very uncomfortable. Today, Monday August 26th we are at Huntsman again. Chemo. He has had the same belly issues so they drained his stomach again. I really wanted to take a picture for the blog but since I can't look... I figured I better not. :) Today they drained almost 4 liters. Instant relief. ((If you saw the size of the needle that goes into his side you would need to look away too)) We have about a half hour and then we get to go home! 
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