"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

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Experimenting with Drugs (not what you think)

Happy Sunday everyone!

I know we’re a little slow with blog posts (sorry from Nichole and thanks to Adam for the latest post), but we just don’t have a lot of new information to share. Dad is chugging along – lately, we’ve been experimenting with medications and side effects to see what works for dad, and what doesn’t.
Dad has medications for his: 1) kidneys, 2) pain, 3) blood pressure, 4) sleep problems, 5) rumbley intestines, and 6) nausea. Sometimes he gets a little overmedicated trying to manage all these issues and turns into Zombie Dad from Doomsday (that sounds like a horror movie). Sometimes some medications make him nauseated and we have to use more medications to make him less nauseated, which make him more drowsy, more sleepy, or more zombie-ish (or all of the above). When he gets nauseous, we have to go on “puke duty” for a day or two. All in all, it’s usually a gamble what happens, so we’re trying to take it slow and easy. We are grateful for all of dad’s visitors – they help brighten up the days of unease and discomfort.

When we went to the GI Oncologist, who is a specialist in the cancer field, we decided to start Chemotherapy, as you may have read. We did decide to speed up the timeline a bit. Dad had a PET scan and some labs done this last Friday to establish a baseline of the cancer tumors (how big they are, how much cancer stuff is in his blood, etc). Dad will have his first dose of one chemotherapy drug on Wednesday the 12th. It's very mild and is only supposed to cause a little fatigue. Later this month, he will have the second dose of chemotherapy. This one is different from the first, because it involves a combination of drugs that should be more effective, but are a little more toxic to his system. That means there is the possibility of both fatigue and nausea that may last a little longer than a day or two. We don’t know yet how he will react, but after doing these two rounds of chemotherapy, dad will have another PET scan and labs done to see if there was any effect on the cancer tumors. If there was, we’ll continue. If not, we’ll stop.

The reason we are doing chemotherapy is not to “cure” dad. The cancer tumors are too widespread to cure. Chemo can help, however, to make dad feel better. For example, sometimes, the cancer tumors grow and press on organs, causing pain. The chemo helps to shrink the tumors a little, which can bring great relief from the pain. Dad’s pain isn’t so bad right now, and we want to keep it that way. We’ll keep you updated on how things go.

Again, thank you for all of your love and prayers. We are grateful for the knowledge we share as a family that we will be together again after our journeys in this life are over. It sustains us, as does our belief in Jesus Christ.
May His spirit be with you all,

The Losers

20 comments:

Siope L Kinikini said...

I think of you often and check this blog even more often. I know the experiences you and the family have had during the last few weeks have been special.

Thank you for the updates and I hope to see you soon.

Anonymous said...

Hi Loser family:
This is my first try at this message blog stuff... is it working? If Rick had to teach me how to use the brakes driving down a mountain... I may need help learning this technology as well. :0) I loved the family slide show. Thanks so much for sharing your hearts at such a beautiful and tender time in your lives. I feel all of us who are observing, watching, praying and loving.... are truly on sacred ground. I love you all so very much. Pana-loons

Megan said...

Hello Losers-
I frequently peek in to see how you and your family are doing! I loved the family slideshow. Beautiful family! Thank you for sharing your message Richard. You are a courageous, courageous man. I admire your strength and wisdom and you have such an amazing attitude! Salt of the earth guy! Salt of the earth family. Michelle you sweet lady! Stay strong! You are all so loved. Big Hugs from sunny California!
The Lee's

Barbara Jackson said...

So tender for us to spend time with you yesterday. Have a wonderful time in Cali. We love you.

XOXOXOX

Ned and Barbara

Peggy Collotzi said...

We were so incredably touched by your family's experience. We are so grateful that Elder Cameron was able to come home for those short 48 hours. Those will be treasured memories for the Loser family. Michelle and Rick your picture kissing and holding was especially touching. I pray for you each night. Hope that you can feel of our love for your beautiful family.
We are all creatures of this great earth, interconnected in ways beyond understanding. Take elephants,so big, so strong, and yet, when a member of the herd passes, even elephants MOURN. They gather around, extend their trunks, and gently touch the tusks of their fallen friend. It's their ritual. It's how they heal. It's sad and yet beautiful. So maybe what we're trying to say is that the world doesn't expect you to be fine with this. Be how you need to be. MOURN how you need to mourn. And know that you're thought of with love. Thank you for sharing your story!
Max and Peggy Collotzi

Zeann said...

So sorry to hear it was a down day. Hope you feel better tomorrow. Hold fast to the arm of our Savior and He will walk you through the worst days. You are still teaching even in your darkest hours even Pana learned because of you again. We love you pray for good days ahead, best wishes with that Chemo and onward to CA. Love you Losers

J+C Wood said...

Did anyone else notice that the zombie problem is spreading. Look at Lee's post:

I think of you often and check this blog even more often. --s. lee

Somehow he checks the blog without thinking. It's Zombie-Lee. :)

-Jared

Anonymous said...

Rick, It was is good to read your comments.We too, read the blog everyday. We pray for your strength and the strength of you family evereyday. You guys are an inspiration to us. We hope your trip will be great.
God Bless You!
Steve and Emy Hoskin

Leslie Scoresby said...

Just know we love you and are constantly thinking of you...more than you can possibly know

Barbara Jackson said...

Good luck tomorrow at your first treatment. Know that we all love you and will be adding a dosage of extra prayers your way!!!!

XOXOXOXO

Ned and Barbara

Anonymous said...

Hi, Richard and Michelle! Your photo is lovely. Rick says that you may have shrunk, but your suit hasn't.

Richard, I just visited my sister in Tucson, and we visited the National Observatory, which I thought you would find interesting. I write to you about things like this as a way to keep you exploring the world vicariously, since I know how you love the world and the outdoors and all such wonders.

Anyhow, in the 1950's the government did a big search for just the right spot, and now there is this mountain top in So. Arizona with 20-30 huge telescopes on it, in those big domed buildings, some with their mirrors as large as 4 meters across! My sister and I signed up for an evening there and got to look through several of the telescopes and see galaxies, nebulas, planets, and the moon of course. Scientists from all over the world apply to have a night for research there. So as we drove down this remote mountain at 9:00 pm, we were required to drive WITHOUT our lights on, so as not to interfere with the research going on on the hill.

With love from our family,
Sheryl Dame

Siope L Kinikini said...

Rick and Michelle,

We continue to pray for you guys. We wish you safe travels to California. Thanks for the updates.

Us

Jared,

I feel like a zombie most days. What was I thinking (or not thinking)when I wrote that?..lol. I'll try to be less zombie-ish in my posts ;)

Zombie Lee

Zeann said...

I truly hope you are all busily engaged in packing for your much anticipated trip and too busy to update the blog.

Praying that Rick had good luck with the Chemo today and that it didn't upset his systems.

Prayers, for peace and the comfort of heavens loving arms around each of you, are with you and may the quiet voice of the Holy Ghost whispering to your hearts instill calmness in your family. Love you all

mary jane said...

Rick, Thanks for sharing Michelle with us on Tuesday. She updated us on all that has happened and your very thoughtful friends and neighbors. Wow, I told her that your are reapping the rewards that are yours for all that your have done for those around you. (I can't believe how nice I am being, can you?) Seriously, I can be serious, sometimes, we would like to come and visit. Michelle told me that it wouldn't be right if I didn't come and hassle you so get ready. We will give you a call first. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and my family and I love you all very much and thanks for being such a great example to each and every one of us. We love you!

J+C Wood said...

There was some mix up at the hospital so Rick didn't have the Chemo on Wednesday. He will go in today, Thurday morning for it.

Love all of you that love him! Keep him smiling or smirking!

-Catherine

Lindsey and Ben said...

Loser Family-
I am in awe at your strength in such a difficult time. Most of you don't know me although your dad was the one who helped me get Rescue Alert of California started. I will always be in debt to him for taking my hand and showing me how to start this venture in my life.

Richard- I am in awe at your beautiful family and the things that you all have done during this journey over the past few months. Thank you for being my friend, for giving me hope, for showing me how to market a product, for always being someone that I could call and count on to listen to my work frustrations and so forth. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time. We pray for you to have strength and for each of your families members to be strengthened at this time.

With Love,
Ben, Lindsey, and Avery Brewster

schetsclan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Jensen Family said...

The slideshow is wonderful and by the way, Nicole is so beautiful. I haven't seen her all grown up. Wow!

schetsclan said...

Delete Comment From: The Life of Richard Loser

Blogger schetsclan said...

Our prayers are with your family.We are strengthened by your faith through your words and actions. You have helped us to focus on the things that are most important in this life.You have a beautiful family. May Heavenly Father's loving arms be around you to strengthen you. Much love, The David Schetselaar family

November 14, 2008 9:39 AM

Anonymous said...

Hey Loser Family!!

We were very saddened to hear of your news. What a strong family you are!! We are so greatful that we had the experience of being in your ward when you were the Bishop. You were and still are inspiring to us. Know that we think of you often. Our prayers are with you always. We pray that you will have strength to get through this trial. Know that He loves us all and carries us when He knows we can't do it anymore.

With Love,
Darren and Roshannah Funk