"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh and anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." Ether 12:4

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Day of Rest

Hello all! Dad has been doing better - still having normal post-operative pain, but trying to relax and rest up.

The ileostomy nurse, a kind woman named Joanna, came in today and re-taught Adam and Nichole how to change dad's ileostomy bag. His stoma was leaky, so it took almost 1.5 hours to change his bag, and it STILL leaked when he stood up! Oh well, it's not an exact science.

Dad said he is feeling up to visitors tomorrow. Remember, no pressure! We know it's a drive, and dad will be home by this weekend, so you can save your gas money to buy him a treat when you come visit him later! If you are in the area Wednesday and would like to stop by for a short visit, again no pressure, you can come between 2-8 pm. He's at St Marks Hospital (3900 s 1200 e) on the 4th floor West, Room #24.

Again, we are continually amazed by the love and support we get from everyone. Thank you for your generous words and prayers. We can honestly say that every member of our family, including Elder Loser in Mexico City, have felt the comfort of your prayers. It makes this difficult time more peaceful and calm. There are literally people all across the North American continent who love Rick, even if they know him only through his children.

We love and appreciate all of you,
The Losers
(Like we tell the new nurses, it's like "Closer" without the "C")

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

My fish and myself pray for you. These are time of trials. This one my not be for you but four your family. Or even an individual like my self. I learned of you condition on WMAS. It moved me. I was test in such way. A female 15 needed bone marrow to live, with out she was to die in only 6 months. I found out I was a perfect match and need to fly back east for a week to do it. This was one of the lowest times in my life.. Until I met kids like her at the hospital. Now there is not a day that gos by I dont think of Her or people like her such as you. I know it is weird but I thank her everyday for helping me fix my self. You are loved and will be remembered in my tank for ever. My name is Richard and now one of my fishs are. It is a Six line wrasse. Is fast, lean and graceful as glides through the coral. May "god" bless you and your family. My "friend" of cancer is still alive and it has been 396 days now!

Siope L Kinikini said...

Thanks for the update. I will be in touch and I will see you soon.

Barbara Jackson said...

Ok, so we'll let the "closer without the c" pass this time. But don't think for one minute that we don't all tell other friends that we have friends named Loser that say it like "closer without the c"!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are so thankful yesterday went well. Please wrap your arms around Michelle for me.........we will visit soon.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Ned and Barbara

Anonymous said...

Rick,

Really glad to hear you are doing better. It is a miracle we can recover from any surgical trauma. Rest comfortably, see you soon, and try to keep the bag on.

Funny about the "c" thing...I didn't know that!!!
Love and concern,
Tracy & Jill

Sandy Folkman said...

So grateful to hear that Rick's recovery is going well! Thank you for sharing your courage and faith with us! We are looking forward to seeing you both soon! Michelle, I hope you are taking care of yourself through all of this!! You are both in my every prayer!
Lots of Love,
Sandy

J+C Wood said...

I love you all so much! You are an amazing family. Thanks for making me smile. btw I used the 'CLoser' thing all through school. It worked!
hugs & kisses,
Catherine

Anonymous said...

Rick Hello Burke Richman again. We live in twin falls idaho. We are haapy to have a new temple here. Our daughter was in the celebration before the temple opened. Pres monson and other general authorities came. Pres monson talked about it in his talk at conference. We are going to the temple today in fact and will put your name on the prayer roll. We are thinking of you and pray for you.

J+C Wood said...

Rick,

I posted over on WMAS and you are generating some comments from some friends over there. When you have opportunity, you'll want to see what all the fish people have to say. Here's the link www.utahreefs.com

- Jared

Amy said...

Thank you for keeping us updated. You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly. We wish we could be there to visit in person. Please know how much we love and miss you.

Heather said...

We are happy that you are finally up for visitors. We know how boring and drab hospitals can be, a friendly face usually brightens the day.
Since we cannot be there in person we will send you positive thoughts of apples, pumpkins, and New England autumns!
Much love,
Heather, Cale and Bean Brown

Unknown said...

richard, hurry home, i need some more jokes. You and your family are in our prayers and hearts. We love you. Sincerely, Perry and Susan Bassett

sebtbt said...

Rick,
I don't know if you remember me but we attended Ricks the same year. My maiden name was Lynnette Brunson. Burke told me about your blog so I wanted to let you know I will pray for you and your family also. Life doesn't always go the way we would like it to. Thank heavens for the knowledge that families can be together forever. Take care of yourself and live each day to the fullest. I will pray for you. Mary Freeman lives in Draper or close by and Lisa Erickson lives in Chandler AZ. They looked me up a few years back. Lisa's husband is a doctor and Mary is single. She was working as a nurse practitioner, I think, but was having some health issues of her own. I haven't talked to them for a while. I live in Twin Falls also as does Burke. Any way I wish the best for you and your family and will pray for all of you. Lynnette Tubbs

Rhonda said...

Hi cLoser's,
I remember the first time we met you. It was at the Stake center when the wards were re-divided and Pam Elder introduced you to us. The first thing you said was that you were a Loser, not a looser.
We enjoyed the visit with you on Monday and we learned to much from you and Michelle that day. We are hugging each other more :)
We are so happy to hear that the surgery was successful.
Rest up so that you can celebrate big with Alex's 16th birthday on Thursday!!
Just a note to other's who may read this.
We were very impressed with Richard's kindness to each person who entered the room. Two different women came in while we were there cleaning his room. As they would leave he would say, "thank you for doing that for me," in a very humble and sincere manner.
We love you all very much.
Larry and Rhonda

Anonymous said...

Hi, Richard. We love you.

We spent the long weekend enjoying some of those places you would love, too. As Madeleine would say, we always go look at ROCKS, and there were lots of rocks in Goblin Valley and Capitol Reef.

We thought you might enjoy thinking of the four kids climbing all over the hoodoos and exploring little caves. Merrit walked all the way to Calf Creek Falls by himself, although he needed a little carry back out. A "level hike" isn't all that level when you have short legs and an unstable center of gravity. Archer was graceful as a pixie, running and leaping from rock to rock. Every night in the hotel room, when the boys took off their shoes, little piles of sand fell out onto the sheets, the carpet, the tile. Madeleine was very adventurous, encouraging Logan to explore more when he hesitated, and she said she wants to take up rock climbing.

We hope you are able to come home soon.

Michelle, I left you a care package on your doorstep today. It includes a "do it yourself tomato salad kit," plus other goodies. So, send someone out to the porch to collect it, if they haven't already.

Sheryl Dame

Siope L Kinikini said...

I like the new look of the blog. I'm wondering though if Rick and Michelle know about the "Picture of the Week" feature. lol.

We sure love you guys and we think of you often. You continue to be in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

Dear Rick & Michelle,

Wow!!! Just peeked to see if there was an update from today... the blog looks great... kudos to whoever is responsible.

I haven't been able to get you out of my mind since my visit to the hospital today. I only have a moment to write but, want to sincerely say that you guys are sooo!!! Amazing (Nichole too, even though we didn’t speak much, I know what losing a parent feels like, my dad died suddenly when I was only 29…you were awesome and I can tell you are a fabulous young woman). The faith and hope…courage and compassion… understanding and acceptance and the personal faith and dedication demonstrated clearly to me that you are prepared for that which is ahead of you. Difficult and as painful as this will be… You WILL be OK. As President Hinckley always said, “things will work out”. Mortality is mortality and we all knew clearly what we were in for, and welcomed the opportunity.

You must know that there are many who love you and are ready willing and able to pay-it-forward to you. Please don’t feel hesitant to ask, we will welcome the privilege and the blessings that always comes to those make of their time and talents to help ease the burdens and increase the joys of others, whether emotional, spiritual, temporal, financial, physical or FUN needs. We shall attempt to discern (especially the FUN parts!) however, putting a bug in our ear is ok too! (some of us may need a little help)

Rick & Michelle, I was warmed by the sweetness of the spirit I felt immediately upon entering the room and the humble resolve borne of refined faith that was obviously contributing to the peaceful feeling there. Rick, once again, your embrace brought tears of gratitude for our association, Interesting how opportunities to serve each other creates such powerful spiritual bonds that last and last, even with months or even years in between contact. I suppose it will feel the same meeting those we haven’t seen for centuries’.

You know, after our visit, I knew I had been in the presence of spiritual greatness. Greatness forged in the fire of adversity, of challenge, of pain, suffering and heartache…Greatness nurtured through selfless service, love and kindness, compassion and unconditional love. Genuine love, pure and without guile, love that reaches through the heart and leaves an indelible mark that once there never leaves and is available for immediate access in times of both joy and sadness. You may question your preparedness…for me there is no question…YOU ROCK!!!

Guys, I was awe inspired by how well you are managing this great trial. You are truly wonderful people who we (and numerous others) are blessed to call friends. Ned, Barbara, Jill and I are planning a visit on Friday. If you are up to it??? Turn on the green light. We’ll be in touch.

Well so much for the short moment, hey I was on a roll...May the Lord continue to pour out his choicest blessings upon you.

We love you all,
Tracy & Jill

Leslie Scoresby said...

Hey! Not homely....just very end of 70's first of 80's! You know, very stylish!!! I love the new picture with Isaac and I love you!
Leslie

Barbara Jackson said...

We would like to say that we were friends, even then, with that very stylish couple of the 70's/80's!!!!

Tracy gave us a good report from his visit yesterday. We are so happy that you are feeling a bit better.

We SO look forward to visiting with you and sharing our hearts.
See you soon.

xoxoxoxo

Ned and Barbara

John and Jennie Hair said...

Rick and Michelle and Family,
We just want you to know that we love you and are praying for you. We have many wonderful memories with you and are grateful for all that you do.
We love the picture of you and Isaac. It is wonderful to be able to check daily and see how things are going. Please know that we are here for you.
Oh, wish Alex a Happy 16th Birthday!! WE LOVE YOU!!