Gone Fishin'

Hey Everyone! The Reunion is Friday July 14th. I personally don't care where we have it as long as we can all be together. It's hard to say what Dad's world will bring by then and we should consider that. I think the Stake Center is a good idea, not because I'm sure Dad can go to that, but because it might be good to not have all the family out of the valley in case Mom & Dad need some of our help. I think if Mike and Ashley come and Mike brings some of his movies, a great time will be had by all.
I'm heading out of town after the 4th for my first Deep Sea fishing trip. We've been planning it for a year and the time has finally come.
I talked to Dad a little bit ago and I think they will be back in the valley by Sunday to get ready for Chemo. Hopefully this will be one of the last trips they have to make down here. We are getting close to making it a permanent arrangement. For now it looks like they will stay with Kenny and Ling until Mom and Dad have a better feel for how the treatment is going to go.
Love you all very much.

Jeremy

What's Happening in NM!

I'm assuming that, since Dad knows all about the Pinals! that he is home. I will try to get in touch with you today, Dad! Prolly too early right now!

I know that the reunion is sometime in July but I'm not sure of the date. Somebody please let me know if we have set a date so I can arrange our schedule. Anywhere you all want to have it is fine with us over here.

All is pretty quiet on the Call front. Amanda will come home from Girl's Camp today. Hopefully she didn't get too wet and had a lot of fun. Their theme was "Boot Camp" and they were supposed to ride horses (Adam never did THAT at boot camp!) and go rappelling. She packed in Adam's duffle bag and resisted the temptation to take all of his camo that was packed away in it!!!!

Marion, Bethany, Jalenna, Amanda and I went to the colonies last weekend to go to the Temple and mail Adam a package (so it wouldn't have to go through customs). We were running a little late to get to the Temple by 10 (they only have 2 sessions: 10 am and 6 pm) so Marion took a bypass around Casas Grandes. While we were stopped at a light we noticed a pair of missionaries hitchhiking. Thinking of Adam, we stopped to see where they were trying to go. They were on splits and needed to get to a village about 45 minutes away to get their companions back. So we decided that we would take them instead of going to the Temple. That might seem really stupid since that was one of our main reasons for going down there, but anyone who has had a missionary in the field will understand why we did it! We left Elder Woodward (from Idaho) in Galiana and then brought Elder Davis (from Utah) and Elder Corero (from....guess where......MONTERREY!!!!) back to Casas Grandes. We pumped Elder Corero for information about Monterrey and felt very close to Adam by serving the missionaries. When we got them settled we went to mail Adam's package. A 28 pound package cost us the same as a 4 pound package would cost to send from here ($22)! And when he e-mailed us Wednesday he already had the package!!! Can't beat that! I bet the homemade bread wasn't even moldy!! Adam's new Mission President comes tomorrow. He is sure sad to see the old one go, but glad he got a month with him. He is in Marion's Uncle Eran's Ward so I'm sure we will get to meet him and Adam will get to visit with him again.

We are going to Carlsbad Monday to spend the 4th with Saralyn and Eric. We are anxious to see their new home (they close on the 14th) and I am anxious to make sure that Saralyn is feeling better. The doctor gave her some medication and she says it is helping, but you know me, I need to see for myself! Marion, Bethany, Amanda and Tyler will see them on Saturday also (Saralyn's birthday!!!) at Eric's sister's wedding in Anthony, NM. Jalenna and I have to work so we can't go.

Sorry this has turned out to be so long.....especially since I started out by saying how quiet it has been!!!! Hopefully I'll talk to you later Daddy!

Lynda

Too excited! Try again! Rain in the Pinals!

First let me say there is no way Mom and I can repay Kenny and Ling's kindness and generostiy in having us stay with them through this ordeal. I know each of you understand. having the reunion anywhere is what is important. Mom and I obviously want to be there enjoying our wonderful family but it may or may not be possible so you need to do what the majority prefer. The rain here today was very good and I'm hoping it is enough for thm to open the mountain, I'm sure one more even close to that will do it.
Third, and very important to me, I know ALL of you are holding off calling me or coming to see me because you don't want to disturb me. Please don't do that. I don't hear from you or see you then find out you are calling Jer or Joe and getting information from them. I love each of you much and I love your children and want to see and hear them. If is far more important to me to see and hear my grand children than to wonder why I don't. If it gets too much I'll say so! My family is my world. AND......... it's been a joy spending time with Ora. You should all try it!!
NEW CELL NUMBER 928-322-2242
Dad, Grandpa, Great Grampa

RAIN IN THE PINALS

Reunion

We were thinking of doing the reunion here in the Valley so Mom & Dad can be there. Jolene is checking into getting a stake center to do it in. We thought Eager would be fun but we would really like Mom & Dad to try and come. So let us all know what you think. Ora is really looking forward to a reunion and wants to see everyone.

All for now. Lisa
(I'm proud of myself! I posted pictures. Big accomplishment for Me!)

Summer Fun

Here are some pictures. Hope this works. Lisa

Eagar Reunion Sounds Great!!

Hello everyone! It's been a while! I need to post more! It's so good to hear how everyone's doing! Not too much is happening here. Mike's just about to finish his job here so we're trying to figure out where we're supposed to be next. The original plan was to go back to the valley after the summer but I think we're going to check out all our options before we head back to the heat! It's tough though! We both feel that dropping off the edge of the earth is probably our best option right now! j/k I already feel like I'm missing Arizona a lot though.
So because of all this, I don't know if we're going to be here for the 4th Aunt Jolene but our # is (928) 322-4536 & I'll try to let you know what's going on and then you can call us if you're close! Sounds like you guys are going to have a fun time!
I'm getting excited thinking the reunion might be in RV! It's SO nice there! & those 4-wheeler trails are pretty fun! I think that would be lots of fun! & it will be good to see everyone.
Uncle Jer, I keep wanting Mike to put some of his videos on here so I can show 'em to you. I think you'd get a kick out of 'em! Maybe someday...
Anyway...not too much else to say. We're praying for you Gramps! Hello to Ora and Congrats to Lizzie...and the proud parents I'm sure!
I love & miss you all!!
Ashley

No news here ...

Hey! everybody..
It sounds like a lot is going on. What week end is the reunion, and how long since we are planning on going up to Eager...lol...
I hope you are giving that brown baby to Elizabeth, and wrapping it pretty for her. She is a big girl now and needs a brown baby to take care of. Tell her how proud we are of her.
Any news on Dad yet, We fooled around and got our phones turned off, that's what I get for leaving...no one took care of the finances and well, it's a mess, plus we are in the process of moving the office into a storage room next to our old house at 15420 that Lyle converted to an office. Anyway, the phone situation is fixed, and I left my phone on silent all day yesterday, so I haven't gotten many calls...kinda nice..sort of.
Hey Jolene, did you get that motorcycle and get back in time?
Hi! Ora...welcome back to AZ...we are really excited to see you again. Your Grandma showed us a picture of you, and you are a beautiful young lady. I am glad Aunt Lisa is having you over so you can swim and enjoy your cousins..
I love Kenny stories...that is such a pain for Kenny, but I agree with Jer...it's funny..
Well I have just been working and of course so has Lyle..I am taking a break so I could contribute to the blog. Plus my boss is pretty easy going as long as I get my work done..LOL!
Have a great Day!!! and keep us posted on Dad...Suz

Having so much fun with Ora!!

We picked up Ora yesterday to come and hang out. The kids are having so much fun!! We have been swimming, bike riding (Ora can ride Lonny's bike!), movies and more swimming! I spoke to Donna today and she said she would love to have everyone over for the family reunion! (Don doesn't know yet). She said we could camp outside or stay in the house. She said there is a motorcycle track close by too! Great thinking Jolene for a backup plan. I am going to give her this blog info. Her email isn't working so she hasn't been able to post. Anyway, all for now. We can make more details for the reunion. Donna said we can barbeque but no fires. She said we can shop there and all cook together! Sounds like fun. I could use a little cooler whether!

All for now.
Were thinking about Dad. Love you. Lisa

No real news!

I was just thinking that we really don't have any new news - but maybe we do. I am driving to Sierra Vista tomorrow to buy a motorcycle. I know it sounds crazy - but we have been trying to buy a certain motorcycle for at least a year and they are just very hard to find. We found one today - but it is in Sierra Vista. So, I am driving down there with the kids in the morning to buy it and hopefully make it back home in time for Devon's Orthodontist appointment at 3:00.

I guess that is our other news, Devon got his braces off on Monday. His teeth are beautiful!! I keep embarrassing him by making him smile at me, but I tell him that we bought that gorgeous smile and we should be able to look at it as often as we want. He will have a permanent retainer on his bottom teeth and a removable one for his top teeth.

I think that if we can't go camping in the Pinals for our Family Reunion then we should all camp in Don and Donna's yard. The weather will be nice and we will still all be together!! Plus, the bathroom situation will be a little nicer :)

We are leaving Friday for a little vacation in Southern Utah for the 4th. The cabin where we are staying is at 8500 feet. The weather is supposed to be around 65 for the highs and in the 40s for the lows with rain almost everyday we are there. That makes for great riding!! We are looking forward to leaving these hot temperatures!! We will go to church on Sunday in Alton, UT which is one of our (Alan and me) "dream towns". It is such a cute little town that we can always imagine ourselves buying an old farm (that Alan can build a track on) and living the slow life!!

Love to all, and a big kiss to Elizabeth for being such a big girl!!
Jolene

Brown Baby?????

A wrapped big brown baby? How are you going to manage that Jer.....and does Shelly know???? :) And to think most little girls just get pretty panties for going potty!

Moving on.....doesn't anyone else have anything news??? What about back-up plans for the reunion if it doesn't start raining? Any ideas anyone?

Thank you Aunt Lisa for coming to get Ora today and doing fun things with her.
Later,
Ling

Kenny's Story is Funny

That was a funny Kenny story! I don't care who you are.
The most exciting thing going on with us right now is Elizabeth is loving going potty in the toilet. She said she needs a present for going in the toilet and she wants it to be "a big brown baby and it HAS to be wrapped". She's Shelly's daughter.

Jeremy

Update On Dad

Mom and Dad are staying @ our house. Dad had the CAT scan and biopsy on his pancreas today. He came through it okay and actually got home earlier than I expected afterwards. He is tired and weak but is doing okay. They should have the results of the biopsy by the time he goes in on Wed. for his first chemo treatment. I'm sure he and mom would like to see and talk to you all while they are staying with us.
Kenny and Ora got home Sat. night about 2 hrs later than expected. They had to dump their plane in Oakland and get on another because the plane had mechanical problems. They evidently flagged Kenny's ticket as a suspicious person and it didn't help that his metal knee kept setting off the security alarms so he got pulled into some room to be frisked. Then because they made Ora go through another gate, he was trying to keep an eye on her and that made him act suspicious, while they were searching him. They finally asked him what he was doing and went and found Ora when they found out she was a minor. I may never get him on a plane again :).
They say the monsoon may come early....keep your fingers crossed.
Ling

Home safe, not sure about sound

Mom got me safely home about 6 last evening but I was way too out of it to write. I called Moqui's boyfriend and he came and wheeled me in and then all the Ruesch family showed up to assist. Everything is fine, we will have mega adjustments to make in our routine but mostly it is good. I will check in the "Sav-a-day" area of St Joe's at 11 on Monday, biopsy is scheduled for 1 pm. I will be kept for 2 or 3 hours to recover then I'm outta there. I may be premature here, I haven't talked to Ling, but with the first treatment scheduled for Wednesday it makes sense to come down Sunday night, stay with them, them come back and stay with them until chemo, stay that night then come back home on Thursay.
Thanks for all ya'll do
Dad

Dad's going home!

As I post this, Mom is on her way to the hospital to pick-up Dad and take him home. I didn't talk to him today so don't know futher details, but I assume he will be coming down Monday for the pancreas biopsy and will start chemo next week also. I'm sure when he gets squared around at home he will post and let everyone know details.
The other thing has to do with the family reunion. I saw in the newspaper yesterday that they have completely closed the Pinal Mtns. south of Globe because of severe fire danger. Some of the other areas in the forests in the state are also closed and what isn't is heavily restricted. So, unless the monsoons start early and we can get some really good rains, I don't think we will be having our camping reunion. Anyone have any ideas for a change of plans?
Kenny flew to Portland and drove down to Coos Bay yesterday. He and Ora will fly back to Mesa tomorrow evening.
Ling

Susan has Dads current situation down as far as I know it. He's on day 3 of his 5 day waiting period because of the blood thinners.
A very interested buyer is looking at Mom & Dad's house on Saturday. This man (Bob) would like to buy it as is. Dad and Bob will just have to agree on a price. I took Mom out to Seville yesterday and she confessed that her true desire is to be in familiar territory. She said she would really like to be in Mesa. She said "If I wake up in a different world some day, I want it to be one I recognize". There is a town home in Alta Mesa that she is really excited to see. Everyone is trying to know and do exactly what will really make Mom happy and I think we are starting to understand what that truly is.
On the purchase of the new home more discussion is needed. Right now I know that if we buy it as a family, Joe, Lonny, Susan, and I want to participate. Kenny also is interested if it doesn't turn in too something too big. I don't think we're looking at anything big anymore. We are just looking for a small home or town home in Mesa. If anyone else is interested in making the monthly payments on this place, let me know. Is anyone interested in a family meeting regarding this?
Completely different subject; I am going deep sea fishing on the 5th for 4 days and I hear it's a blast. I've never done it and so I'm pretty excited.
That'll do pig.
Jeremy

P.S. Anyone have any wisdom about the reunion this year?

Where is our update

Just wondering if anyone has any news on Dad. I know he is in the hospital for the next few days and that he is going to have the biopsy done when his blood thinners are no longer in his system...but is there anything else.
We have been moving the office and getting rid of the piles of papers from all over the house...and we are just beginning to make a little dent...I am so glad Lyle insisted on so many file cabinets...he's a smart one.
That's all for now...Suz

Jolene

Hey! Everyone it's Jolene's B-day....
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Suz

Updated Dad

I just want those of you that I haven't talked to today to know what is going on with dad this morning. The results from his MRI came back negative. That is a good thing. This afternoon, he is having a CAT scan to check the progress of what is going on with the rest of the cancer. Also, I was misinformed about the placement of the cancer. Previously I posted that they were in his lungs, liver and spleen, when in reality they are in his lungs, liver and pancreas. They are considering doing a biopsy of his pancreas after the CAT scan. I am trying to keep everyone updated as accurately as possible. Right now, the most important thing is that he needs our prayers, phone calls and visits.

Love to all of you - Jolene

Moving Mom & Dad

Hi Everyone. No matter what the results of this MRI end up being, moving Mom and Dad down here is obviously becoming more and more urgent. Shelly talked to a serious buyer yesterday that is very interested in purchasing their house as is. We will likely order appraisal today.

Jolene is working on some details to try to get them in Seville (Higley & Riggs) and that is our focus now. Mom and Dad would like a small home with easy access to everything and that seems to be a good enough fit for the right price.

The idea on the table right now as I understand it is to sell Mom and Dad's house and let them keep as much of the money as they can. We would like to purchase the new home as either a family investment or Lonny is going to take care of it himself. What determines that is whether or not we all want to participate. If we do want to participate, an LLC will be set up to own the house. Our money would go in to the LLC and Mom and Dad can keep their money and not be bogged down with a huge asset (a home) when applying for assistance.

That's the basic run-down and please feel free to call me (928) 200-0236 or post back here with any questions about details. These are just ideas and plans that have been discussed on the fly so please feel free to voice your opinions, ideas and concerns.

Sorry for the wordiness. Love you all.

Jeremy

How to Win Friends and Influence People

I just wanted to give everyone a brief run down on Dad and how to get a hold of him.
As of 8:30p.m. Monday night the Oncologist had not returned to give Dad the results of his MRI. Until that comes in, any treatment plan or diagnosis is up in the air. He is at St. Joseph's Hospital in the Tower on the 8th floor in room 2. He can have visitors any time of the day or night. His room is the first one on the right when you come off of the elevators. You can reach him by this direct number (602)406-7302 or on his cell phone which is (928) 701-2273. I'm sure he will appreciate any calls from anyone at anytime.

Dad said he would call me as soon as the results are in. I will gladly call anyone who would like me to call them, and I will post any relevant news here. Love to all!

-Jolene

Out of touch

Wow! Do I feel out of touch.
Someone fill me in on Dad's progress, and where he is and if he can have visitors. I have been in Utah, the last couple of weeks and without a phone, computer or car so I have been living a pretty isolated life.
Lyle and I are moving the office out of our house into a storage room that Lyle converted into an office. That is one reason I am home already, my plans were originally to stay in Utah till the end of the month. I am really glad to be home, Lyle and I have never been apart this long before and it was hard, especially for him. Plus, I miss being home, and being able to talk with people I know and love.
Well, we all should get together soon, and visit with Ora and make sure we know what we are doing, with the reunion etc..
Congratulations, on Jaree's engagement...when do they plan on getting married?
Guess that's it for now...Thank you Jolene, for setting this up, once we catch on I think this will be a VERY good thing...Suz

Happy Father's Day!!

I just wanted to wish all of my brothers and brothers - in - law who are the Fathers to my amazing nieces and nephews a happy Fathers Day! I love you all!

I love this quote from Tim Russert from his book about his own father. He said, "Whatever we achieve and whoever we are, we stand on our fathers' shoulders".

Have a great day,
Jolene

JoeJr Maiden Post

I'm actually doing it jolene!! LOL
Well, guess the first big news is Jaree is engaged. Not a temple wedding but there's hope for the future. His name is Alex. He works for his brother who owns a commercial plumbing business.
Taylor and Loren are living in Tempe; Taylor has been offered a job with some insurance company (Burbank?) I haven't heard of before. He has to get his license within the next two weeks then he can start work. Loren has been at Costco Home Store for a few months now and doing well.
Alli just finished her first year in cosmetology and will also be a senior in high school.
We are finally getting our house painted on the outside, then some landscaping, and we should be good for awhile.
Hopefully I can see some of you in the next few days as I will be driving mom and dad to the clinic on Sunday and Monday.

Can't Wait To See Ora

I was hoping you would post soon to let us know when Ora would be coming. I just got done watching some old video tapes of Ora and Kali. We would love to have Ora over this summer so let us know. She can hang out and swim with us. Also, we are planning on going camping on July 14-15 for the Reunion. You all know how much I LOVE camping! Thinking of going to Globe on Sunday for Father's Day. Hopefully that will be OK.

All for now.....
Lisa

Ora's visit and family campout

Sounds like we will have an excuse for a couple of good family get togethers! No one has mentioned the family coumpout the weekend of the 16th for a whle. Are we still on?

Ora's Visit

Today should have been Ora's last day of school for the year. Kenny will fly to Portland the 22nd and drive down to Coos Bay to pick her up. They will fly back to Phx. the 24th. She has really been missing her family here and wants to see everyone. She'll be here until the end of July. I have been called to a Grand Jury in Phx. every Wed. & Thurs. for the next 4 mos. We were afraid it would mess up all our plans, but found out today it will be okay for me to miss a couple of weeks. We had to adjust and change some of our plans, but thank goodness we won't have to worry about canceling them. We all would have been disappointed.

Ling

Thanks Kali, Mason and Luke

I'm sure their mom will read this to them. Thanks for the drawings! They made me smile and that's a very good thing!
Grampa G

Baseball been berry berry good to me.....

Last night Alan and I went to the Diamondbacks game with other Shea employees. I do enjoy when we get to do that. We are able to be in a suite, which has so many advantages, namely the free food and sweet parking (suite parking) that allows us an early and easy exit from the parking garage. We watched the Diamondbacks beat the Giants and then were able to rush back to Mesa to see the end of Devon's baseball game. He has games 3 - 4 nights a week for the whole month of June. Last night he had an 8:00 game against the team he played for last year. He was a little nervous to be playing them, he really was hoping to be drafted to the same team and was sad to see that he was pretty much the only player who wasn't . They had such a great team last year, placing 2nd in the league, but for all of his disappointment at first, he is glad now. When we got there at 9:30, Devon's team was ahead 15 - 2. They ended up winning 22 - 2. Apparently there is no "mercy rule" in the majors. Devon's team has played 7 games and won 6.

Courtney had surgery on her right big toe yesterday. She gets in-grown toe nails so bad. Last October she had the left big toe done. She watched the procedure in October but decided against watching this time. I think it hurt a lot worse last time becuase she saw exactly what the Dr. had done to her. She is a strong girl, with a high pain tolerance. Can you tell I am a proud mom?

Lynda, what kind of work does Eric do? Our kids really want to go to Carlsbad Caverns. We have talked about it a lot, we will have to try and schedule a trip for sure now. It would be so fun to see Saralyn and go out to dinner or something. Alan and I were just talking about when we were living in SLC and your family drove to Provo for a wedding and we drove down to go to dinner with you. Amanda was just a baby! I missed our family so much during that time and it was so special to be able to see you then.

Love to everyone - Jolene

Saralyn Has Moved

Eric got a great promotion as manager of the Carlsbad store, which is great for his career but not so great for the family!! We are very sad that they will be so far away, but I'm sure we will have the road memorized soon! They were able to sell their house in Las Cruces very quickly and, just as quickly, found a very nice house by the golf course (of course!) to buy. They have already moved and are living in an apartment that the company provided for them until they close on their new house. Saralyn is feeling better and is glad to be in Carlsbad with Eric now. I have the address of the new house, but it won't do any good until they move into it...so that will be posted later!

Hope all is going well for all of you. Dad, you and Mom are in our prayers morning and night. We love you!

Lynda

From Dad ------- again

Is this just another really great idea gone by the way side? Where is everyone? Mom and I are about the same. She is doing a little too much and gets very tired and I just can't seem to find energy to do some things I need to be doing. However, my lung capacity was a little better yesterday I think.
Joey is here and ground chili for me yesterday. I had/have a lot I just never felt like processing and his help is sure appreciated. He will spend most of the day here again today, Wednesday, and will take our car to Safford to get the new windshield installed Friday.
Shelly sent pictures of Lizz taken Sunday morning along with a couple with Ty in them. Great boast to our spirits and very much appreciated.
If you have anything to say to Mom you can post it here because I read her everything that comes here.
Have a good day.
Dad

From Dad - Home or away game

Here is my plan for the first round. Joey will come take us down and bring us back here. I have no idea if I'll be sick or if so how sick so we're going to play it by ear for a little bit. I very much appreciate the offers to stay down there and I'm willing to do that if it makes it easier for Mom. But we all know how much better it is to be sick at home than in someone else's home. If and when the time comes we feel the need to stay down there we will make a choice based on what is best for Mom and me. I love you all and know you are very willing to do what needs to be done for us.
Dad

Dad!

I am just wondering if, when you come down for your treatments, you will drive yourself down and then drive yourself back up? Will you stay in town for a few days or what? I think any of us "valley kids" would be happy to have you with us. Also, we "valley girls" still owe Mom lunch for her birthday. When do you think we will be able to do that?

This is our Stake Conference weekend. I will be in sessions off and on all day today and tomorrow. I just came from the Youth Session for the youth of our Stake and the leaders. It was awesome. The temple presidency spoke and they were fantastic. I just wanted to share with everyone that the gospel is true!! I have so much faith in the youth of our church, we really have great ones in this stake. I feel very privileged to be able to work with them.

Jolene

From Dad - How am I?

Good morning ya'll,
Just a little update. I'm doing ok, breathing is not as good as I had hoped it would be but it's not real bad. I still have a lot of back pain and the area around the port is still very sore and tender. Other than that things are going well I think. I have been trying to walk up and down the hall after each SVN breathing treatment, (smoking). Each time I seem to gain just a little and that's a good thing. Mom is holding up well, my only fear right now is that she trying to do too much and gets very tired. Some encouraging calls to her would be appropriate.

Treatment schedule

Ok! I have my first appointment set for Monday, June 19 at 10:30. I'm glad we were able to do it that soon and I can get on with this thing. If Doctor Hecker's best guess is good this means I will be done with it just before Christmas if there are no delays along the path.
ASHLEY! I am here silly girl! What was the big idea of breaking into my home and spending the night with your husband and your boyfriend??? Answer THAT for the family! I'm glad you guys are there and enjoying it. Love you mucho.

Hey Ashley!

It is so great to hear from you Ashley!! We are going to be in your neighborhood for the 4th of July weekend. We are going up to see Alan's dad who has rented a cabin at Duck Creek. I guess it is not too far from Cedar. We would love to see you and take you two out to dinner or something. E-mail me with your phone number and we will call you while we are there. I hope all is going well for you and Mike.

We are very occupied with Devon's baseball this month. We are having games at least three times a week during the month of June. I am going to put a picture of him at bat on here. He plays for the Diamondbacks, they are 4 (w) and 1 (l) - they lost their very first game - I think it was nerves. Devon is playing shortstop and center field. Oops - I just looked at my camera and I only took videos at his game last night - so I will put a picture of him on here later. Instead, I will put a picture of me with the kids on Mother's Day - aren't they good looking kids?

Hey Everyone

Hi Everyone. I've been reading this for a few days and finally got brave enough to see if I could figure out how to post something so hopefully this works! Mike and I are here in Cedar City, UT at least for the summer and we'll see how long after that. It's VERY pretty and nice here and we both feel this is definitely where we need to be but I still feel homesick every once in a while. I hate being so far when all this is going on. So if anyone is going to see Grandpa please send him all of our love and let him know we're praying for him. It's good to be able to see how the family's doing even though we're so far away. I wish so much we could be there but let Grandpa know how much we love him. I love you all!
Ashley

Clarification

Just to correct some terminology, the operation I had Thursday morning was to put a port catheter in my upper left chest that will be used to fed the chemo each treatment. It is all under the skin and they will simply make a small hole over the "buttons" each time. So....... it's a port, not a stint or any of those other terms that have been used.
Back to bed AGAIN
Dad

Home at last

We are home and it feels like heaven! I had 3 uninterrupted hours of sleep and that's all my body could stand I guess. I will be calling Dr. Hekker's office this morning to set up a treatment schedule, he is the oncologist I will be seeing. All I know at this time is that I will get two once a week treatments then rest a week then two more and so on. I have two differnt cancers and two different treatments will probably be required. After we have done this first round of treatment for the lung cancer there will be another biopsy and it will be determined at that time what the next phase will consist of.
I have much to be thankful for. My family means everything to me and each of you give me strength in your own special way. I hope I make it clear to you individually what you mean to me.
Back to bed. Love ya'll
Dad

Dad & Jolene 6/8/06 From Jeremy

I know Jolene didn't make up what she said. Dad was worried that he may have said "something that made her think that". So, no one should blame Jolene for her inquirer type reporting tactics. ;)
It appears that Dad is getting that stint thing put in right now and then he will go home today sometime. I'm sticking around town to see what help they might need.
Hey, I have a question for everyone: Mom & Dad obviously need to move down here. They agree to move as far in as Florence Junction, but Mom is very interested in moving even closer. The plan is for us kids to help them get a home and there are a lot of details that I'll leave out of this, but I am interested in who would like to help with payments. Lonny, Joe & I are in for sure. Right now it will cost us around 575 a month. That will go down with more people involved. Please call me if you would like details so this blog doesn't get bogged with all of these details. (928) 200-0236.

Love you all,
Jeremy

I agree, if everyone participates, this could be a very excellent move. Give yourself a pat on the back Jolene!
Kenny and I went to the hospital and had dinner with Mom & Dad this evening. He looks good, feels pretty well and his spirits are good, but it doesn't take much to tire him out. On that note, I am going to voice an opinion about everyone going to Globe on Sat. I personally am not sure they will let him go home tomorrow. Even though the surgery to insert the pick is "minor" for most people, because of Dad's conditions, he has more than one at the moment, it may be alot harder on him. Even the CAT scan wore him out. Take into consideration that if he goes home tomorrow or Friday, he will be recouping from his hospital stay, surgery and the trip home to Globe. It is going to be really hard on him whether he thinks so or not. Don't get me wrong. I think it is a good idea for Marion and Linda to go. I know this has been hard for you Linda being so far away and for Dad knowing that you have been stressed worrying about him and Adam. But, for those of us who live here in the Valley, we have been able to see Dad while he has been in the hospital or at least had the opportunity and I really think we should give Dad and Mom some space, a week maybe, to kinda settle back in at home and recoup before too many people show up at one time. Also, I would ask you to remember that on a good day, small noisy children can drive Dad nuts and when someone is sick and especially when they are in pain it can be very overwhelming. I know they would love to see everyone in the family, but the next few weeks are going to be hard for both of them and you know the saying "less is more".
Get mad and hate me if you must for saying this, but I hope you all understand where I am coming from.
Love you all.............Ling

LOVING THIS!!!!

It has been so nice to hear from Jolene, Jeremy and Linda. I too am curious if anyone else is reading this. If you are reading this feel free to let us know! I am glad Dad will get to go home this weekend. Maybe we can go to Globe too. I will talk to Lonny when he gets back into town.

Lisa

I am not making stuff up

I just want everyone to know that I was just relaying what Dad himself told me. But I guess NOW it is safe to read the original post. Tomorrow (Thursday) morning Dad is having an IV pick line installed in his chest. This will be where he receives his chemotherapy. He is hoping to go home tomorrow after that procedure is performed. He will be coming in to the valley for his chemo. treatments.

I am wondering if anyone besides Jeremy and Lisa are reading this.

Jolene

Adam finally sent e-mail!

At the risk of being redundant, I would also like to thank Jolene for this great idea! I hope it works for this communicationally challenged family!!! (I am the WORST one!)

After almost a week of anguish wondering where in Mexico is Elder Call, we finally received an e-mail from him today. He is in a little village called Villa de Garcia just northwest of Monterrey. He says that he is happier than he has ever been in his life. I was glad to hear that because I am about the saddest that I have ever been in my life! I had no idea how difficult it was going to be to send him off. Knowing he is happy helps a lot.

If any of you would like to receive his e-mails, please let me know by emailing me at cobrebandmom@yahoo.com.

His e-mail came at a great time because it gave me a burst of joy in an otherwise very gloomy day. Dad called me just before I left for the pool to give me his news. I'm thankful for his strength. If sheer fight can get him well, he's going to be fine!!! Marion and I will be making a trip to Globe Saturday. We would love to see any or all of you there!!

Love you all,
Lynda

Correction on Dad's Status

I'm not sure where the misunderstanding was, but Dad still doesn't know if the spots are cancer yet. He thinks they might be and he thinks it might have originated in the lungs, but it's uncertain still. The official preliminary report has not come in yet.

This blog is cool and Jolene's cool for setting it up, but I'm cool too cuz I'm sitting in Dad's hospital room and I'm on the internet in a hospital that doesn't provide the service to people. That's cool geek stuff right there. I also snuck a picture of Dad with my cell. I'll post it here if I can figure out how.

Jeremy

oops

I forgot to say that the post below is from Jolene.

More about Dad

I'm not sure if my information is any different than Jeremys. When I talked to Dad a little bit ago, he had met with the hospital Dr., Dr. Seaver and the oncologist. The spots were cancer - he knows that now, they are pretty sure the cancer originated in the lungs but the results he will get further down the road will confirm that. He is not doing so great. He keeps reminding himself that "positive attitudes change everything" but it is hard. He is tired of being in the hospital, his back hurts and now he is facing a challenge that he never really expected to face.

I want to back Jeremy up in saying that he needs EVERYONE's support. It makes me feel kind of bad to know that the majority of his visitors and phone calls are from nurses that he has dealt with, people from Globe and other non-family type people. Please call and tell him that you love him even if you can't make it to see him. His phone number directly to his room is: (602) 406-7507.

Thank you Jeremy and Lisa for posting. I was kind of scared that no one would read or care about this.

Mostly Dad

Hey everyone. I too thank Jolene for taking the initiative to set this up. I have a Dad update... I talked to him this morning and he is expecting preliminary results from his biopsy this evening. All the results will be available Thursday. The results today will tell us whether he can go home or if he is in for a longer road. I just want to encourage EVERYONE to make an effort to visit Dad. I know he would like to see everyone right now.
Love you all,
Jeremy

I am so excited. Thanks for getting this setup. I wanted to see if I could do this since I know so much about computers! This will be fun. Not much going on here. I will write later when I have more to say.

Lisa

Okay, I got the directions e-mailed to everyone so everyone should be doing posts soon. I wanted to add a picture, I wish I would have taken a picture of dad at the hospital yesterday to post. For anyone who hasn't seen him. He looks great, you would never guess that he is as sick as he is, because he is smiling, sitting up and of course giving the nurses a hard time. I will try and remember to take a picture tomorrow when I go and post it on here.

Some of you know that Alan and I went to Washington DC last weekend. We had an amazing time being toursists and looking at all of the monuments. I will maybe blog more about that later. But I will say that it was very emotional for me to see the monuments of the great men who helped to form our country. I almost felt I was becoming de-sensitized to all of the amazing things we were seeing just because there was so much of it. A highlight was being at the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial. Here is a copy of the rubbing we made there.

This is our new family blog!! I am going to e-mail everyone with the details. I can't wait to get this started!