Looking sooooo Good!!!!

So as you can see Ron is feeling much better!!! Hair combed and all! We are so happy that they pushed back his treatment for a week. He is back to "normal" and back at his desk working and feeling much like his old self. Sad to think this will all change next week but, it will only be for a temporary time. And also gives us great hope that the treatment is doing what it is intended to do and that is to get rid of that darn cancer!! I will keep you all informed when he goes back to the hospital next week. Don't stop praying we have felt the Lords help in all we are doing and appreciate it so very much! Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Quick up date...

First I have to say Thank You to the WB 7th ward youth! I don't know if any of them are reading this blog but if they are they are amazing! What a wonderful day Sunday was for the Bishop. The Love that is shown to him in so many ways is just amazing! A beautiful quilt with all the names of the youth and their favorite scripture on it along with a book of the most kind letters words can not describe the feelings that were felt as I read the letters to Ron, it truly made his day! He is doing so much better now off the oxygen, and moving around so great! He even walked on the treadmill for a while today, so things are looking up there. However one things is for sure you can never count on anything the way you plan so if you don't plan you wont be disappointed. The nurse called today to let Ron know that his labs came back and his liver is not recovering as good as they would like it to, therefore they are going to push back his next dose which would be dose #1 B to the following week. So that means he wont go back to the hospital until December 3rd. It's nothing to be alarmed about, they just want to give him an extra week to recover before they put him through all that again. So we adjust. Getting Christmas up and ready so when we go to the hospital its done and we can come home and still enjoy the holidays with our loved ones and friends. Thank you again so very much for all the Love and concern that has been show to my dear husband! I am so grateful to you all! He is truly my best friend, and I will do everything I can to take care of him and so appreciate all the many helping hands! I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving, and get ready Christmas is just around the Corner!!!

Welcome Home!!!

Words can not describe how we feel right now! Home Sweet Home has brought on a whole new meaning! Ron finally made it home around 3:00 p.m. today. He had to stay until he hadn't had a fever for 24 hours and then they had to infuse him with something else he was low on before we could go but Go we did as soon as it was all done. He has to be on oxygen so we brought that home with us but that should only be for the next few days, until he gets all his strength back. Ron had 8 doses of IL-2 this week and reacted to all of them so thats a great sign that its working!!! The Doc was very optimistic and so are we! We are so thankful for all the Love, prayers and just EVERYTHING that has been done on his behalf! It has been very overwhelming, but we truly couldn't have done it without all that help! So this week is Thanksgiving and we will be giving Thanks to our Heavenly Father for all the many blessings that he has given us. Then we will gear up for another week at the Huntsman Hospital! We will beat this thing and have faith that it will work! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!!

Not so Fast:(

So all I'm going to say is never count on anything here until your walking out the door!!! Ron's oxygen level would not stay up! He has too much fluid in his lungs therefore he needs more oxygen to keep the numbers where they should be. I can't even describe how disappointed I am, but will be strong and keep praying, that it will be better tomorrow and we really will be coming home!!! Chin up right?

Going Home so Happy!!!

So we made it to day 5! I think this has been the longest week of my life. And Ron well what he can remember of it isn't too great!! But he did it and he has been amazing! I'm so proud of him and all that he has done! So we are going to go home and have a great week. Celebrate Thanksgiving and all the things we truly have the be thankful for! And hope everyone who reads this blog does the same! Here is a picture of the fun that we had this week at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital! Haha!

Day 4

Lindsey here.......lets just start by saying MOST likely dad gets to go HOME tomorrow!!!!!!! Yipeeeee!!!!! Dad got up this morning and went for a walk, they had to put his oxygen on 6 liters which is the most that the nasal canula can do before he has to put on a oxygen mask, so they decided to do a chest x-ray to see what was causing him to need more oxygen, but before they did the x-ray they needed to give him another dose of the IL-2, he got that at 10:30a.m. At 11:00 some great neighbors and friends came up to visit, he got a fabulous foot massage from Jeanette!

He said it was wonderful! She used different essential oils that help nausea and other things. My family is so blessed to have such wonderful people that love and care about my family! Then at about 1:00 p.m. the riggers hit, they had the morphine on hand ready to give it to him as soon as the riggers started, this time it took longer for it to kick in, so they also gave him some benedryl to help things, it took about 30 minutes for them to get the riggers under control. He then slept until 4 when they woke him up to go and get the chest x-ray. The test showed that there was some fluid in his lungs but that it should all clear up once everything gets out of his system, but because of the fluid building up in his body they are pretty sure that he is done getting the IL-2, not positive but pretty sure. So 8 doses of the IL-2 is fantastic!!! Now its just a waiting game to see what will happen through the night. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts, prayers, texts, phone calls, visits and cards, thank you is just not enough. Dad has once again proved why he is my hero, he stared this poison right in the eye and said bring it on! I love you dad!!!!!

The end of a long day!!!

Day 3 continued

Well about 2 hours after his 6th dose Ron got sick, and I mean really sick! I have never seen anything like that in my life, not fun at all!!!! Then they couldn't figure out what to give him to make him comfortable and make it stop, all I can say is it was a long afternoon! Then I got this picture sent to me in a tex. We are so blessed by so many people!

So when the day was about over and I thought surly they will not dose him again tonight and that they would just let him sleep oh no all his labs came back good and at around 10:40p.m. he got dose #7. All I could do was to pray that he wouldn't have the same bad reaction. Around 1:00 in the morning the riggers began, but they decided to try something different, morphine, and it worked!!! It took the riggers away really fast and he was able to get to sleep then around 4 this morning he woke up and wanted to go for a walk! I know he is being watched over and very blessed! Day 3 is over now we are on to day 4 who knows what the new day will bring!

Day 3

Well we made it to the half way mark!!! I am grateful for day 3! This means friday is even sooner! Not a whole lot of things to report. He has had 6 doses now and they are getting worse each time it's hard to watch but at the same time its a good thing because that means the IL2 is doing what its suppose to do. They didn't expect him to react this quickly to it so that too is a good sign. Lets see "riggers" nausea, flushing, red face, thrush in his mouth, constipation, his picc line (one of them got clogged so only on side was working has since been fixed) this is just a few of the fun side effects. But its the only thing that gets rid of this kind of cancer soooooo when they come in and ask are you ready for another dose Ron says even with a smile "lets do this"!!! All in all things are actually going better than expected for the treatment but I'm not going to lie, we will both be glad to be home hopefully by Friday afternoon.

Day 2

Well today we are grateful for the "riggers!" I can't believe I'm saying that! It's amazing how your perspective changes the riggers are a good thing because that means the IL2 is working and for Ron it is working extremely well! It's hard to watch but if it means it's getting rid of the cancer Ron says bring it on! He is amazing! Always kind to everyone and always grateful to everyone. He says if I think I'm at my wits end then bring on another dose! He is fevering right now so they are trying to bring that down. The plan is another dose around 5 or 6 tonight. Hopefully he will be able to get some sleep and then go on a walk before the next dose, because when he gets one it really wipes him out! Half way through day 2! Love to all of you and Thanks for all the prayers keep them coming we can feel them, and appreciate them so very much!!!

Gratitude

My sister gave us a "gratitude" book to have here while Ron goes through his treatment. One of the quotes in the book is by J. Robert Maskin "One of life's gifts is that each of us, no mater how tired and downtrodden, finds reason for thankfulness." Last night was a very long night! Second dose was not as easy as the first the riggers (shakes) took hold of Rons body and it took about 25min for them to get it under control. During that time (which Ron can not now remember) He told me "I Love you" Lori and there is nothing shaky about that! haha Then he began to sing I am A Child of God. So this morning I am thankful that my Husband Loves me and for warm blankets he had about 6 of them on him and requested his quilt be put on top. He has a few meds he needs to take to get his numbers in line and then dose #3 will be given around 8 or 9 this morning. So what will today bring I don't know, but I do know its day 2 and that makes me happy to be closer to day 5!

Day 1

Some pictures of Ron and his room. Thanks for the fun pictures, quilt,blanket, and pillow case BYU not so much but what can I say. This morning when I said my prayers I asked Heavenly Father to feel his comforting arms around me and know that he was by my side that I might have strength to do whatever Ron might need. When we got to the room the nurse was waiting for us...I couldn't believe it! A friend of mine that I haven't seen since High School was Ron's nurse. As the tears flowed I was filled with gratitude for answered prayers! Shauna was just that! She has been so kind and loving and I have felt the Saviors loving arms around me this whole day. She has been such a comfort, I can only say I know my pray was answered through her this day! Ron has received one does of his treatment so far and has had just a few side effects. They are planing on giving him dose #2 around 10 p.m. it supposedly gets worse each dose given so we a gearing up! Thanks again for all the love and concern. I never would have guessed 3 weeks ago that we would be here, but we are and we will get through this with the help of so many,especially knowing that we have our Saviors Love and we will never be left alone!

Thank You!!!!

Ok I am so not good with words! Thank you is just not enough for all the LOVE that has been shown to Ron!!! We have been treated so kindly by so many people it is just incredible to us how blessed we are! I don't think a day has gone by since Ron began this scary journey that he hasn't gotten at least on card of concern in the mail it means so much!! This weekend our Relief Society sisters in the ward came to the house with this amazing quilt nearly every person in our ward had something to do with it. Scriptures/thoughts words of encouragement it is now on his bed in the hospital. That is not all the youth of our ward are having their "Missionary Week" this week and it is a fun week full of the spirit!! All the kids are wearing orange ribbons in honor of their Bishop who couldn't be with them this week we are just hoping he can be with them on the weekend. Not to mention the acts of service, with leaves being racked, food brought to the house, our dog being cared for and I LOVE the TEX messages of encouragement they make me smile!!! So now it begins I'm sitting on the chair in Ron's hospital room thinking of all of you and how blessed we are to live in a ward that we live in! To have such an amazing family, Children who came together and work together for their Dad! Extended family of both Ron and I who we know are there for us and the "Schreiber Family" as Ron calls it who have been like family in the care and concern that they have shown him. How very Blessed we are! We love you all and will be strong and keep you posted of the days events. With Love, Lori

We Love our Dad!!!

Going into the hospital in the morning. I will post more then! Chin up for Bob Thomas, Thumbs up for Bishop Gillett. You can do it Dad!!!

Update....

Lori and I are so grateful for all your continued prayers on our behalf. Today was a good day for us as we met with the Huntsman Cancer team. We were treated with warmth and kindness. Meeting with Dr. Agerwall and his team brought peace and comfort to Lori and I. While we have a long road ahead of us we felt comfort in knowing that this team will do everything they can to help us fight this cancer. Dr. Agerwall was thrilled to meet us and was pleased with my physical health and strength following kidney surgery. My head nurse will be Joan. Lori and I felt that we were in expert hands as Joan will watch me during the treatments like a hawk. She was very informative of the process and what I can expect from receiving the treatment. Yes, by day 2 or day 3 I will be sick with flu like symptoms that intensify through the end of day 5. However, Joan will control the symptoms so that they are as minimal as possible. The other nurse Cheryl too will assist in the treatments and took Lori and I through the ICU where I will be treated. I am in great care from these two incredible nurses. All of our research pointed us to a schedule of treatments that is completely different then the schedule I will be on. The new schedule consists of the following: Monday November 12th: Check into the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and begin the Interluekin-2 treatment (Session #1). Fri/Sat November 16th/17th: Check out of the hospital for recovery at home. Monday November 26th: Check into the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and begin the Interluekin-2 treatment (Complete session #1). Recovery 10-12 Weeks: CT Scan 10-12 Weeks following session #1 to determine success of treatment and determine timing for session #2. The goal in the first treatment is to get 14 doses during the first (5) days. Overall goal is to have a maximum of (4) sessions, which look just like the above schedule and will take about a year to complete. Sessions are taxing to the body and zap energy, but our goal is to recover as quickly as possible and live life as normal during the time between sessions.Following our meeting with Dr. Agerwall Lori and I drove to the IMC hospital to meet with Dr. Bishoff for a follow up to my surgery. I am healing very well and am (2) weeks ahead of schedule in recovery so he was very pleased to support us getting into the Interluekin-2 treatments. He felt that my being physically fit will be a great benefit for my treatments. Great doctor visit and we are ready to hit the next phase in our journey. Words simply cannot come close to describing how Lori and feel for the support we have received from our wonderful children, extended family, friends, ward and stake members, and our Schreiber family across the country. We are blessed by your kind words of encouragement, love, and support. Please know that we love you all and are so thankful for you service on our behalf. We know beyond a shadow of doubt that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ love us. We have felt their tender mercy as we walk this journey.

Ron's Hair ... Not to Worry!!!

There has been much concern regarding Ron's hair. According to all of our research he will not be losing any hair and he will do his best to keep it combed and looking like 'KEN" at all times! Thank you so much for all your thoughts and concerns in this utmost important matter! haha we have to keep up our chins in all we do!! On another note we want to send out all of our THANKS to so many people for the love, cards notes, prayers thoughts gifts etc.... Ron is blessed to have so many people showing him Love and support at this time it means so much more than words could ever express!! We Love you all!!

Just one example of the thoughtfulness of a loved one. This gift was given to Ron from his niece who has a sweet son Skyler who is 6 years old and has been struggling with Leukemia for the past 2 years and is winning the fight, but not without his own set of trials and set backs! What a great example he is to follow, as well as his sweet mom Crystal. She told Ron "statics don't mean anything" we are counting on those words!

In addition to.......

So my dad is obviously more elequent with words......here is the email he sent to some of his team members from his work. This is the same info as the post I did last night just put better. Love ya pops! Good morning! Thank you for your continued prayers and support for my family and myself. Many having been asking for an update on my healing from kidney surgery and the progress that is being made on my treatment. I am healing very well from the surgery and continue to gain strength every day. I can walk further and further every day. If I cough or laugh to hard I can feel it, but overall I am doing very well. This has been a roller-coaster week for us. Many highs and lows as we learn more and more about kidney cancer. We met with our Oncology Doctor on Tuesday with hopes that the Targeted Therapy discuss following surgery would give us a cure; however, the blunt reality of this disease hit Lori and I right between the eyes. Kidney cancer is treated in several different ways. As mentioned previously, radiation and chemo therapy have not proven to be effective. Targeted Therapy uses drugs that have proven to suspend cancer growth, but they do not cure it. There is really only one treatment that is known to cure kidney cancer it’s called Interleukin-2. High Dose Interleukin-2 Therapy is administered in the State of Utah by one Oncologist located at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Because of my age and good health I have been accepted to begin this therapy beginning Monday November 12th. The body normally produces these substances in small amounts in response to infections and other diseases. Interleukins are part of a family of proteins called cytokines. Our immune system cells rely on Interleukins to make the immune system more or less active. The therapy I will receive will super charge my immune system to fight off and kill the cancer. High Dose Interleukin-2 Therapy consists of 3-4 sessions (depending on my body’s ability to handle the therapy). The sessions consist of (5) days each with a 10 day rest between sessions. I will enter the Huntsman Cancer Institute on Monday the 12th – 16th and will be in ICU during the treatments. I will most likely have a port surgically placed in my chest to receive the Interleukin-2 therapy. My neighbor down the street has the same cancer and has been through this same treatment and could not speak more highly of it and of Dr. Agerwall who administers the therapy. The therapy makes you very sick during the (5) day session and during the recovery period, but I am good with that if this will cure my cancer. It’s a small price to be paid when measuring options. Our family is exercising great faith. Our chins are up and we are carrying a positive attitude, which makes all the difference in the world when fighting cancer. Family, neighbors, friends, and our partners at Schreiber continue to express love, support, and inspired words of encouragement. We could not be blessed more and are so appreciative. Tender mercies have been extended to our family in so many different ways. We are grateful for your service on our behalf.