It has been a very busy time of year for the Loser family. We have been somewhat behind on our postings so I, Richard, will attempt to catch you up. I am doing so on Friday December 26 while at the Huntsman Cancer Clinic receiving my second treatment in the second round of chemotherapy.
Highlights from the past week:
* Tumor marker test results = A 27% reduction (meaning the chemo is working) GREAT!
* Liver function (enzymes) = A 56% reduction (meaning the liver is doing better) GREAT!
* My sister DeeDee had successful back surgery to remove two herniated disks in her lower back, NO SURPRISES. We were all a bit concerned after the last Loser routine surgery!
* Fatigue attack Sunday morning kept me home from church and singing Christmas hymns.
* Nausea attack Tuesday evening had me throwing up twice- Chemo effects lingering.
* Family breakfast at the Elder Home on Wednesday was French toast Croissants w/ vanilla syrup, hash brown breakfast casserole, & fresh OJ - it was dewichious and dewightful!
* Alex's "prayers" of the past several weeks for a White Christmas being answered in full measure. We have about 18" of snow in the yard. Accumulated snowfall is likely approaching 30-36" for the past week. Alex is loving it!
* Talking to Elder Cameron Loser on Christmas Day- he is enjoying much success in all aspects of his missionary labors. He is happy, engaged, and enthusiastic.
* Received an Apple TV for Christmas. This is a really cool piece of electronics gear (discovered by our savvy son, Adam) for the storing, organizing and playing of family photos, movies, and music. All family pictures can be displayed on our regular television in any number of playlists and musical accompaniments. It is really amazing and easy to view family photos. We have been reminiscing as a family on a regular basis. Now we have the daunting task of digitizing all of our old photos for the Apple TV. But, what an easy and accessible way to organize everything. I am really excited about this gift if you can't tell. This will be a great legacy once we are done. All of our current photos and videos are already digital so they can go right into the Apple TV. Fun, Fun, Fun!
Just having the family near and sharing time together in living, loving, and laughing. Life is grand . . . and we are so very, very grateful to our God and Heavenly Father for His multitude of tender mercies. Many friends have been visiting and sharing poignant feelings and experiences. Our hearts and our very lives are touched by all of you and the love and caring support we feel from you. We love you all!
Friday, December 26, 2008
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17 comments:
Blessings, blessings, and blessings, along with the tender mercies of our Etetrnal Father in Heaven continue to pour upon the home of the Losers, for this I am so greatful. The goodness of your lives that has blessed and enriched the lives of others, as you walked the paths of life, are being echoed back to you, so glad you have had another enjoyable celebration of the birth of our Savior.
The miricle Chemo drugs seems to be doing their thing with you, hope you continue to feel good and get the pictures done for the new Apple TV. I never heard if it but will be looking into it very soon. Sounds just like what I am looking for, didn't know existed.
Glad Alex's prayers were answered for a white Christmas it was so lovely. Shenay loved it as well, she is so gung ho on the snowboarding and in typical Shenay style is being as wild and tricky as possible. Hope she doesn't injure those incredible viola fingers.
Best wishes with todays treatment, hope third time is the charm and you just get through it and walk out to a glorious day. Love you zeannag@gmail.com
Hey Rick,
This is a blast from the past. I spoke with Barry yesterday on Christmas and he filled me in on your situation and told me about your blog. I love your family pictures and updates. You have a beautiful family! Thank you for your inspiring words of hope and inspiration. I am so sorry that you and your family have to face this but I am so impressed with how you are all handling it. You are amazing.
You were a great friend to me when I moved to Cameron Park for my senior year. I will always appreciate your kindness. Give my love to your parents.
I'll be wishing as comfortable a journey as possible and keeping you and your family in my heart and prayers. Thank you again for sharing your story.
With love always,
Sheri Jenkins Barbour
skigal@comcast.net
Rick & Michelle,
We just received your Christmas card and note today. Thank you so much for contacting us! We are glad you listed info for your blog. It has been interesting and heart-wrenching to read it. Our hearts and prayers go out to you! It has made us hug each other and those of our children and grandchildren who are near. We, too, are grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ! What an immense blessing to have the knowledge of the gospel and of eternal life. We are always grateful but after times and news like yours it brings to our minds and hearts our appreciation and gratitude. If there is anything we can do from Oregon to be helpful, we would be more than glad to do so. Feel free to contact us by phone, email or any other method.
We love you guys!
Doug and Cheri(Morris)King
Will you please ask Alex to now pray for the snow to stop? It's annoying to drive in... lol. Other than the driving, I have loved looking at a renewed and clean view.
Oh, and it says that Elder Cameron Loser is "engaged"... I know what it means but it still made me chuckle.
Congrats on the Apple TV. I love all things Apple. Great fun. It's good to hear how things are going and thanks for the update!
So Burke and Cheri Morris waht are your email addresses? You can contact me at grloser@gmail.com
Hey Loser! It's me Amy, your favorit little Goffin. My sister just sent me the link to your blog and I just have to say those are some short shorts in that picture on the right. Ooh la la. No wonder Michelle found you irresistable. I miss seeing you and your family all the time. Thank you so much for thinking of me and the nice wedding card and gift you sent. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Love you- Amy
Hi Richard
Just want to say hi let you know I'm thinking of you Bob Eberth
Hope you are doing well after the second treatment of the second round. I know it takes a few days to wake up and face the day after treatments but I hope you had a very good week. HAPPY NEW YEARS to the Loser family. Love you all
Happy New Year!
Such an amazing blessing to hear from you today. Coming home from work to hear your voice on my voicemail was truly a 'blast from the past'.
So grateful you found me--and called.
I am glad that we could touch base--and will be able to keep in touch--even if it is only for a little while.
You are truly a blessed man. Your life has been filled with love and happiness--everything we all try to strive for.
Sending Love to you and your family--Peggy (Oliver) Giacalone
Hi Rick,
I couldn't get you off my mind today while driving home from SLC. I kept wondering how you were doing, if you needed anything and… I am grateful for the magic of technology that makes this form of communication possible, and was very happy to read that all went well with your procedure. I do hope that the “success” you referred to means you are feeling better than before and that you continue to enjoy a “quality of life” for as long as possible.
Although we cannot begin to comprehend what all this must be like for you and your family, always remember that we love you and are continually inspired by your faith and courage. You really do ROCK!!! And Michelle…you are amazing!!! We hope you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers every bit as much as Rick is… and we have perfect faith that His tender mercies will continue to sustain you both.
My heart is full and I am at a loss to fully express my feelings right now, like Ammon “I cannot say the smallest part which I feel”, but know that tears of joy and sadness flow because I have the honor of calling you my friend and my brother.
Hope to see you soon. By the way isn’t Becky is in charge of a PARTY!
Love Tracy & Jill
Rick, I thought when you became my Bishop I was through holding my breath over you. Ha Ha Ha Ha and a big Ho Ho in there as well. So glad the stent change went well for you. Loving and praying for the Loser family all blessing great and small that you can handle. Love you
PS how is the loading of the Apple TV going?
Hi Richard,
My mom and I last saw you as we passed through the waiting room of Dr. Griffin in November. Mom (Jeanne) was following up from her recent ileostomy and she and I both remembered you warmly from the heartfelt encouragement you had offered her in the hospital some weeks before.
I've been thinking of you since then and though I haven't known you long I feel honored to have crossed paths with you, and very grateful that mom did as well. I hope you're doing as well as can been expected. Mom's also hanging in, still heartened a bit (I think) by your kind and hopeful example.
Here's a link to a short essay by another person with pancreatic cancer who perhaps shares your indomitable spirit.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/2/205744/4140/761/679622
Best wishes,
Michael Kirkpatrick
Richard
My youngest daughter Chrissy knows your son and showed me your blog. It's amazing how life evolves and zigzags. Sorry for your zags. Congrats on the Silver Beaver recognition. I think fondly of our times back at the lumber yard in Provo often. Simpler times.
Best wishes,
Lyle Partridge (still the answerman)
Missed you by a hair. Went to see Dr. W today and when I told him he was treating my dear friend he said I think he's down there. Run with me and lets catch him. He ran, I followed he looked in every chair and then we were told you had finished and gone. I hope you had a good turn today and have a good followup.Love you all
Rick & Michelle,
We left town for Christmas and just returned today. I opened your card and sobbed. Yes, sobbed. I think I am under control now, but it is through tears that I try for the 3rd time to run this stupid computer right and get a message to you! Yes, I am still technologically challenged.
First of all to Rick: You always did like a good party. I guess we shouldn't be surprised that you go on ahead to get things ready for the rest of us...can't think of a better trail blazer. My mind has been a blurr of memories as I've sat here and read and re-read your entire blog. When I think of you I think of crazy games with oven mitts and tightly wrapped candy bars, beautiful fish tanks, catching butterflies and bugs with your super-duper catcher stuff(we still have a bottle) and lots and lots of laughter! You definately were the life of the party. We so dearly miss those good times. You are a great man and a wonderful father. What a legacy. We are proud of you and your angel Michelle. Of course we expected great things of you--you are just that kind of people. Your strength and faith give us renewed faith, hope and charity. Thanks for the example.
And Michelle: my dear, dear friend. Even after all these years I think of you as a sister. Many people have come and gone in my life but none have left such a mark as you. I just always think of you as my very best friend. I think of you more often than you'll ever know. I still remember when you broke the jar of peaches and told us you said your first swear word. I couldn't believe how sweeet and pure your spirit was. And still is. So, I often think, what would Michelle do. To this day I still shed a tear each time I hear the song, "Star of Bethlehem" and I think of you. No one sings it like you did. No one. So, now here you are living my nightmare--and still setting the pace with grace, undeniable faith and true discipleship. You are still my hero.I cannot tell you how deeply my heart goes out to you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers constantly. I will put your names in the temple--tho I am sure they are already there. And I will do ANYTHING I can to help you. I would like to come down to see you. But only if and when it is the right time. I do not want to take away any precious moments from you and your dear Rick. So, please get word to me through Nicole, e-mail, phone, whatever-WHENEVER.(home-208-425-3826 cell 208-221-9144 Curt)
Michelle & Rick, we count you as very blessed people. Some live a whole long lifetime and never share the love and devotion you have for each other and your children. That is the richest gift of all and you have it. You have taught your family the most important things of all-things of the Spirit. What wonderful parents you are and special children you have.
There is a scripture we know you are well aware of but it holds special meaning to our family. It is found in D&C 84:88..."I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." We know personally of the power of those angels and pray they are your constant companions. We pray the Spirit continues to pour out upon you-- that you may have comfort and peace to see you through. We pray the tender mercies of the Lord will be yours in abundance and that the Atonement may consume your pain and heal all wounds and bless you with true peace and happiness. You are so very special to us. We will always, always be so grateful for our time with you in Grace. I vividly remember the day you left--your little car rounded the bend down by our cattle ranch where we were out playing. You sounded your horn and we all waved and I cried. Really cried. I knew we were losing something special.But a part of you has remained with us and always will--despite the miles and the time passing--it all seems irrelevant now. Thanks for touching our lives so deeply. WE LOVE YOU SO...
Curtis & Jane Stoddard xxxxoooooxxx
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