Hello all. Things are going okay since our last post - again, our apologies that it's been so long between posts. Here is a short list of updates:
* The blood transfusion went well (it took five hours - hospital visits are like a part time job now)
* Dad's blood levels have gone back up, which means the transfusion was a good decision
* Dad's tumor markers (that show how much they are growing) have gone down again, which means the chemo is doing good stuff
Other stuff:
* In spite of the good news, dad is feeling the effects of all this chemical stuff. He feels blah a lot of the time and struggles with energy and nausea still. He does love visitors and talking about old times with friends
* Adam and Rachel are loving being parents of their energetic man child, Isaac. We also love his beginning-to-make-sentence words and being called by our names ("granma", "coley", "awex")
* Benj and Jackie are making wedding plans (dresses, colors, announcement pics, etc) and loving spending time together until she leaves for Oklahoma in two days
* Mom is busy taking care of the house and dad and trying to decide what she wants to do when she grows up
* Nichole and Alex are getting back into the groove of school. Nichole is still working and taking some classes, and is home on the weekends to help. Alex is, well, himself.
Overall, we're still chugging along. Thank you to those who still check the blog and are patient with our slow posting. Again, we appreciate all your love and support,
The Losers
Saturday, January 17, 2009
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12 comments:
So glad to hear that the treatments are doing you good
Fatigue is a strange force that is hard to understand until you have been there. The funny thing about it is when you are awake you can make the most wonderful lists and have time to figure out so many things. Then you stand on noodle legs and can't lift a thing and fall back to sleep. I'm sure Michelle appreciates you figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up and I can imagine her eyes rolling. My mom and dad take turns telling each other what they are going to do when they grow up (they are 87 and 88 now so they have a while to plan) she maps it all out for him and he says "no you can do that I'm not going to" he maps it out for her and she says "you can do that I'm not going to" and so the discussion goes on each loving the other and wanting happiness for the their other half. After 65 years they are much more one than two.
Great to hear news of the family so much is going on you have to feel like you are in a whirlwind. I'm so glad you know every second is a blessing, a strengthening, a lesson, a building preparation for eternity. Be fun to find out what and why huh.
Your body may be tired but your spirit and testimony are a strength to all. Love you
We are home from the "record breaking" Southern California heat....85 degrees!!!! We cherished every moment with the family and thought of you often. We'll be over soon as we brought you a treat from Mickey Mouse!!!
xoxoxoxo
Ned and Barbara
Thanks for the update. We love to hear how everything is going :) It was fun to spend time with all of you over the holidays! We love you so much! You're constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
WOW! Keep up the good work Richard! You and your family are in our constant thoughts and prayers. I love reading your inspirational quotes and thoughts. Thank you!
It's always nice to read how things are going. Thank you for the post.
Also, we understand the delay in posts so no worries about that. I'm sorry to hear about the nausea.
I want to come visit(as I'm sure is the case with everyone) so I'll call you.
It was good to see you at Priesthood this morning. We stopped by this evening to say hi and to tell you more about our visit to Mexico and our impressions of the Elders Loser stomping grounds, but didn't find anyone home. Hope you were out doing something enjoyable. We recommend a drive up somewhere high, above the smog. (Pam and I were up the canyon yesterday cross-country skiing, and today we went to a baby blessing event up at Suncrest and in both cases, it was wonderful to get some fresh air and sunshine.)
Love,
The Reschkes
Very nice to read that, all things considered, you are experiencing improvement. Fatigue is a bummer but resting is not a bad thing, so take it easy. Glad you are enjoying visitors, sometimes we wonder if we wear you out coming by. Maybe we can hook up with Jackson's and get out there! Love ya all, Tracy & Jill
Hi, I am Brent Mandel from Jacksonville Florida. I served with Richard in the mission home.
I fondly remember his faith and love for our Heavenly Father. I am still in Florida married with 3 children. I am currently young men's president and working as a licenced optican for Walmart.
What wonderful memories I have of those years past. You will be in our prayers. Thank goodness for such happy memories to fill our days.
I took my family to Utah 2 summer's ago and visited with President and Sister Benson at their home. You have a beautiful family. We wish you the best. Brent Mandel bafamandel1@bellsouth.net
Losers,
Thinking of you and praying that, all things considered, you are doing well. Sometimes I fail miserably to understand the workings of the Lord and why some have such overwhelmingly heavy burdens and then I am reminded that, He is in charge, and because He knows the end from the beginning, we just need to have greater faith in His plan for us. I believe those burdens are placed on the backs of (His most faithful children) those who are most able to bear them. I also believe that the children He has the most confidence in are given the greatest challenges so the rest of us can be inspired and encouraged to bear our own burdens more faithfully and with less complaining. You guys are most definitely ones who can handle it, and are an inspiration to us all. If only the rest of us could do as well(speaking for myself of course).
I also know that Gods love is transcendent and with it we can and must endure all things. I find that no matter what we are called upon to experience, no matter how great the challenge, we can always look around us and find someone, somewhere, that we would not exchange places with. Each of us is given exactly what we need to grow and gain spiritual strength and the maturity necessary to prepare us for what lies ahead. I know that God will continue to pour out His tender mercies upon all of you because He loves you and knows exactly how you feel and precisely what you need.
Alma so eloquently said: "And behold, he shall be born of Mary… a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God. And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Alma 7:10-12
Take care until we meet again.
Love, Tracy & Jill
Not much to say; other than we are thinking of you...
Love, Tracy & Jill
Just wanted to let you know of our love and concern...Very grateful for our association for these many years. Know that we are with you in spirit through it all.
Love Tracy & Jill
loving you, prayers are with you. Hope yesterdays Chemo was without incident and leaves you comfortable and with feelings of joy.
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