Dad went into surgery at 5pm and his surgeon, the amazing Dr. Griffin, spoke to us at 8:30.
Everything went as he had hoped - he actually found two places right above dad's "pouch" that were squished because of the cancer. So no wonder dad was in pain, he had two blockage sites!
We were also very lucky, because instead of losing potentially 5-10 feet of small intestine, they only bypassed 2 feet.
They were able to cut above the cancer-ridden intestine and make an ileostomy - they took his small intestine and pulled it outside of his belly (forming what they call a Stoma). That means he now gets rid of his bodily waste through the Stoma and won't have to go to the bathroom 30 times a day. Hooray!
Dad is very swollen and in some normal post-surgery pain. We want to get him rested, because the more rest he gets, the faster he can come home (he dislikes the hospital - wonder why?)
As a result, we are again limiting visitors - sorry, no Tuesday visitations and most likely no visitors on Wednesday, either. Thursday, maybe ;) Please call Nichole (472-2493) for more info.
Again, we love you all and are so so so grateful for your love and support!
The Losers
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"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
About Me
- Richard
- Died 12/29/09 at 53 years old. Wonderful husband to an amazing wife, father of five terrific children, grandfather of two energetic, beautiful little boys.
Spiritual Thought
“And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.”
Enos 1:27
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October
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- Keep It On The Down Low
- "Doomsday"
- The Wonderful World of Narcotics
- It's Already Saturday
- Family & Friend Fast
- As of Friday Afternoon...
- Happy B Day Alex!
- Happy Picture of the Week
- More Hospital Stuff (Post from Wed Oct 22nd)
- Day of Rest
- Surgery Over
- Sunday, October 19th
- Unified
- 10/18 email.
- 10/17 email
- 10/9 and 10/7 Emails
- The California Trip Story
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17 comments:
Glad to hear it. I'll tell Catherine tonight.
Thank you so much for the update. We thought of Rick and your family during the evening hours. We spent time in the temple yesterday with your family in our hearts. Rest up Rick........people want to party:)
About Jackson Hole.......anyone know where Bob and Val took off to?
xoxoxoxo
Ned and Barbara
I'm so glad for this site. Thanks for the updates. I've been anxious to learn any other news and I'm glad to hear things have gone well. Please rest up... all of you.
Glad it went well I'll pass it on to Dee Dee. Our prayers are with you
Hey Rick, this is Steve Hoskin from Rick's College. I've been wanting to get in touch with you for quite awile. I found Burke Richman the other day when I was looking for you.
I'm at work now so I have to make this short. I want you to know that I've always treasured our friendship. You and Your Family will be in Our Prayers. I love you, Brother. God Bless You.
Hey Rick, It's Steve Hoskin from Seattle. It's been along time since Rigby Hall. I have been wanting to contact you for quite some time. I'm sorry to hear about your condition. You will be in Our Prayers. I treasure the friendship we created at college. I found Burke Richman the other day when I was looking for you. I'll tell him hello for you. We Love You Brother, God Bless You and Your Family.
Hey Rick, It's Steve Hoskin from Rigby Hall. I've been wanting to contact you for quite some time. I'm sorry to hear about your condition. You will be in my Family prayer. I love you brother.
I have always treasured our friendship from college. I found Burke Richman when I was trying to find you the other day.I'll tell him Hello for you. God Bless You. I'll write again soon. I'm at work and need to go.
Hi, I'm a friend of Catherine's and found this site from Jared's website. I'm so sorry to hear of your cancer and the short time you have been given.
We recently went through this with my Aunt in California. She was diagnosed as a stage 4 and given a short time (3-4 months) but made it a whole 18 months! We are very grateful for the time we had with her and the things we learned from that experience.
It is a hard thing to go through. We truly found that what Elder Steven E. Snow said in the October General Conference of 2007 to be true when he said "As a family we learned, strangely enough, that cancer is a disease of love. It provides opportunities to mend fences, say goodbyes, and express love."
Here are a couple of things we learned.
#1 Take advantage of the cancer wellness house www.cancer-wellness.org they have counselors, activities, support groups, and much more for anyone who has been effected by cancer. They are a valuable resource.
#2 Saying goodbye doesn't mean you have to miss out on the big events. I had a friend who decided to can things for her children's milestones that she would miss. She would include a little momento and a letter expressing love and testimony for each thing she would miss. The children who had not been baptized, driven a car, gone on a date, left for a mission, been married in the temple, had their first baby, etc. All got a can with a letter and a little something inside so that the mom could still be a part of their lives. She shared stories from her life, testimony, gave advice and encouragement for when the times get rough and then she included things that would go along with the milestone. A white hanky for the temple or part of the temple clothing, a baby outfit, a special song your have danced to at the wedding. Whatever is meaningful and important to you. I had another friend whose father died and he was given his father's scriptures in which there was one scripture marked...it just so happened to be about the resurrection.
I know we don't know each other at all but if there is ever anything you need or anything I can do for you I am here (princesspeapod77@yahoo.com). Not only does cancer allow us goodbye's it binds us together as friends. We participated in a hike to the Summit this year at Snowbird in memory of my Aunt and it was so wonderful to be with other people who understood.
We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Gretchen
Rick -
I know we don't know each other very well, but we just wanted you to know we are thinking about you and your family. Our prayers are with you and your family. We hope that you get "the list" accomplished along with many other things and make some great memories with your family.
Love - The Thompson's
Hello Rick, This is your old college roommate burke richman from ricks college. I am sorry we sort of lost track of each other after college, but Steve Hoskin told me where you were. I still remember the skiing days at college. I don't remember the chemistry class, but I remember skiing at targee and kelly canyon. I still ski but i don't do the helicopter flips anymore. My kids try to get me to snowboard but I am too old to learn new tricks. I am thinking about you and praying for you. Burke Richman
Hi Rick and Family,
Glad to hear the surgery went well. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Like Barbara said "rest up Rick...people want to party"!!!!
Love and concern,
Tracy & Jill
Hi Brother Loser,
I am so glad to hear that the surgery went well. You are in my thoughts all the time. Rest up and get home soon! We love you and your family so much. What amazing children you have!
Anxious to see you sitting by your waterfall and pond!
Love,
Janette
Rick-
We just thought we would let you know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope you get to do everything on your "list" and more.
Love - The Magnusson's
Good day to the Loser family, my name is Suzanne Carpentier, I've been in contact with Elder Loser recently cause he is living at my friend's house in Mexico country. Elder Loser is a great help to my friend, by living there with his companion gave me comfort cause my friend testimony was shaking and he was feeling alone from all the turmoil in his life. Now I feel relief that my friend had the blessing to have the Elders under his roof. Now I'm writing you cause I was in the first person to know that Elder Loser's father was very sick with cancer. I would like to tell you all, meaning the whole family, that we are with you in prayers and with our love. Today I had the chance to comfort your son, cause in my family we had to deal with such terrible illness, it is not an easy one, but with what we have learn into the gospel daily and weekly, we know that with love and prayers and faith we can at least prevent people to suffer too much, it brings every one close together, it is important to get to your souvenirs together and feel good about them. Your son in mission right now is having a great blessing upon his head to be able to serve the Lord with all his heart, believe me we are joining him and putting your name in each Temple in US and especially here in Montreal with the help of friends so you can feel Lord's love through this illness. I'm a stranger for you and few dasy ago your son was a stranger to me, but now I feel your family and him so close to me and our family. May Lord be with you always. God bless you.!
Sister Suzanne Carpentier
Longueuil Ward
Longueuil Stake, Quebec, Canada
souchiluck@qc.aira.com
Hi Loser Family,
I'm so grateful to hear that the surgery went well. Please know that you all are in our prayers. I'm so glad that this blog was created, it saves my mom about 150 phone calls a day asking "Have you heard anything..."
We love each of you!
Much love,
Heather, Cale and Bean Brown
Brother Richard,
Know that we love you and your family and that you are all in our thoughts and our prayers. You are and have been a pillar of strength and a great example to me and my family. I have appreciated our association.
Please let us know how and where we can help.
thoughtfully,
Jonathan Johnson and family.
Dear Loser Family,
We just want you to know how much we are thinking of you, praying for you, and wishing we could do ANYTHING to ease your suffering. We love you and think so much of you. We are happy to join in the fast this weekend for you and hope you can all feel how loved and supported you are right now.
With Love, Karl and Kimberli Wild
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