Team meetings/Radiation... Feb. 27, 2013

This has been an amazing week and it's only Wednesday night!! Ron has been doing radiation this week, his last treatment will be tomorrow, Thursday and then we will meet with the doctor and find out whats next.  This has also been his week for his Schreiber Team to come to Utah and have lots of meetings together, we didn't know that he would have to be having radiation as well but thank goodness the radiation didn't take too long and he was able to get it done and be back with his team quickly and as usual his team is so wonderful that they just worked around the treatments and were able to get it all done!

I was so lucky because I got to be involved with the evening activities and the team is a lot of fun to be with so I too have had a fun three days!!!

On Monday the team asked me if I could be a bit early before I had to take Ron for his treatment, they had something for us.

This is the team and me holding the quilt that the Schreiber Family helped make for us! It is beautiful!!!

This is a close up of the quilt.  It has all the hands of our family and the Schreiber Family all around a scripture that Ron really likes.  What an amazing gift, we will treasure always!!!

Like I said the team was wonderful and included me in the evening events, and they were also very patient with me as I love to take pictures:) so here is some more!

And last but not least a fun picture of the entire team! Sally came a day latter so she wasn't in the first picture, but she made it and we were so glad that she could! And also so very glad that her husband was alright and she was able to come.

I know that I say this a lot but I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart!!! Ron is so blessed to be surrounded by such good people! They work so hard when its time to work, and they are so much fun to be around.  I have had such a fun few days getting to spend time with them and I know it has been so good for Ron to get to be with his team face to face again.  Thanks to you all for everything!!! Ron has a lot to live up to you are all the BEST!!!!

Tattoo ????

Yep Ron is the proud owner of 3 new tattoos!!! Ok proud not really but he does have 3 new tattoos.  What am I talking about well hopefully I wont ramble on but here is what has happened over the past week.

We went in to get Ron's MRI, this is the one that is a bit more intense and shows more of the brain in preparation for his radiation on his brain.  What they found was not what we were expecting.  His very small tumors in his brain are still very small only about the size of a pencil led, but one of them had hemorrhage they think it happened when he was at the end of his IL2 and he started to have a bad head ache and he was a bit disoriented, that was when they said he was done for that round.  So they think it is old blood that they see there.  The problem is that the blood is in the way of viewing the exact locations of the tumors so now we have to wait for another month to make sure that the blood goes away which it should just absorb itself and then they will be able to take another MRI and do the radiation as planned.  In the mean time they are going to go ahead with the radiation on his hip, and that's why he got the tattoos, thats what they do to mark the exact location so they do the same place every time.

He goes in 5 days in a row and will have radiation on his hip.  Then we will have to wait like I said for the MRI to re-check his brain.  Once all that is clear then they will do the radiation on his brain and he will have his dose 3, but they wont do dose 3 until they know all the swelling on his brain has gone down and the blood is gone, it just wouldn't be safe other wise.  So we will do one step at a time, and know that Ron will continue to be blessed.

It sounds bad but really its not uncommon for this to happen, and his doctor was really pleased that he will still be getting the radiation on his hip, because that will actually help make the IL2 work better! Don't ask me how but thats what we were told.  So sorry for all the rambling!

Ron continues to improve everyday!!! His biggest struggle right now is keeping his head aches at bay, which we are doing a pretty good job of, he still has a bit of itching (that part is so hard on him mostly at night) and now his feet have started to peel.  But he is amazing and keeps on going!!

Thanks again for all the love and support!!! FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!

Skiing!!!!! What????

Yep thats right Ron went skiing!!! One of the things that they really stress at the Huntsman is setting goals and taking vacations as much as possible! It helps to have FUN things to look forward to and keeps you focused on a goal.  Well Ron has been going on this ski trip for a few years now and he was so worried that he would not be able to make it this year.  Chase has been able to go with him the last few times and it has been a highlight of the year for them both, so the goal was set and plans were made.  I have to admit I was very nervous about the whole thing but Chase made sure to let me know he would take very good care of his Dad.  So they went!

This is the morning before they left.  Notice the bag in Ron's hand its for all the just in cases! Always be prepared I always say!

On the mountain! Looking soooooo Good!!!!

Back at Ron Dunford's home.  Looking a bit tired.  

And this is what happened when he was really done!!! He came home really worn out!  BUT he did it! He really had a great time and was so glad to see his friends and spend some time with Chase.  I think its so neat that the people who he was skiing with are his friends who are also his business associates, which just goes to show you once again what great people Ron works with and why he calls them his "Schreiber Family."

He is doing good.  Still working on bouncing back to "normal" but doing it!  He goes in this week for his MRI and then he will have radiation on his head and hip at the end of the week.  So far everything is on track.  We will continue to pray for the many blessings to keep coming our way! We know how important prayer is and that it works and thank everyone for not stopping!

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Well we hope everyone is having a wonderful day of LOVE!!! Our day started off very early this morning as we had to be to the Huntsman Center at 8:00 a.m. for Ron to receive his Zometa infusion.  This is the fun one that he will get every month for the rest of his LIFE! Fun huh??! This is used to treat cancers that spread to the bone.  Also treats osteoporosis, it acts as a shield to help the cancer stay out of the bones.  It is amazing the things that they have these days! We are so blessed to live at this time when the technology has grown so much.  Now we are back home and Ron is at work and the day is back to usual:)

So I'm hoping that Ron has no big side effects from the infusion, last time it made him a bit nauseated, and it really made his bones ache, but I guess we shall see.  They say after you have had it a few times it stops giving you the side effects.  Just one more thing for him to deal with.  But look at the smile on his face he's always got a good attitude about everything he has to do.

I couldn't resist!!! Happy Valentines to our cutest little granddaughters in the world!!! They make us so happy!!! We hope everyone has a wonderful Day!!!!

Feb 12, 2013

Home working and recovering! Doing great! Thanks so much to all the love, cards, food, prayers just EVERYTHING we appreciate it so much!

Kind of a cheesy look on Ron's face but fitting don't you think Cheesy haha! Rocky pretty much just stays by his side in his office he as a bed he stays in the whole day and at night if Ron is on the couch so is Rocky! True Love I would say!

Home!!!

Day 4 and for the first time the last day! Ron got in 4 good doses and had reactions to all of them.  His body was done this morning and so they decided it would be best for Ron to not have any more doses.  Having that said he got to come home this afternoon.  It was a good surprise and one we took with a smile.

We are now home sitting on our couch and Rocky is next to us also happy to be home.  So its a weekend for recovery and Ron is officially half way through this IL2 treatment.

He has his infusion that he will be doing once a month to keep his bones strong and it also acts as a cancer reflector of sorts to protect his bones.  Radiation and then more test in preparation for session 3A and 3B which will take place the end of March and first of April.  He did!

Feb 7, 2013 Day 4 of IL2 2B

It was a long night! Ron got his dose #4 around 10:00 p.m. last night and right on time midnight he started to rigger, it took a lot of medicine to get them to stop and shortly after that he got a fever:( That is the story of Ron and his doses.

This morning Ron has had a much harder time getting back to his "old self." The nurse said it was a combination of the IL2 and all the drugs used to help him get rid of the riggers.  He's doing better now but he has literally slept this entire day! But I think that is exactly what he needed.

It has been a success! He was able to receive 4 doses and reacted well to all of them.  His doctor is very pleased! So it is looking like he may even get to go home this afternoon! That would be so great! They feel like he will have a much better recovery at home and in his own bed! I agree!!!!!

We just found out we have the all clear for the radiation treatment which will happen in just a few weeks and it is a great thing because the combination of the radiation with the IL2 really work together to boast the immune system.  So all in all things are going well for Ron.  Once again the support that we have received from so many people both in visiting Ron here texting him and me, phone calls, e-mails and lots of prayers has been so very much appreciated! Its so nice to have so many people who we can feel love from!

The blessings are always there and we know it! I will post more later and let you know where we are home I hope!!!

FIGHT- FIGHT- FIGHT

Day 3 cont.

Well it's been a very long day!!!  As I said earlier Ron's creatinine level was too high for him to dose.  So he didn't get a dose last night and first thing this morning labs were taken again and we couldn't believe it but his level was exactly the same!  With that we thought maybe he would be done but they said they would wait and re-check him at noon.  Noon labs came and his level was still as high! So they still said we will wait for the 6:00 p.m. labs and if there is no change Ron will be sent home.  So pretty much all day was a waiting game.

Some fun things did happen though! Ron got a special delivery package from his 3 favorite girls in the world!!! Emma, Grace and Maggie, we used the gift to decorate his medicine tree with.  So fun!!!

Here is Ron standing next to his tree with as you can see the cute pictures hanging on it! We LOVE our granddaughters!!!

7:30p.m. And labs are back...... It truly is amazing!!! Ron's level is now at a 1 yep lower than it was even the first day when he came in! So yes sir he is going to have another dose! Lets go dancing!!!

Right after we got the news that all his counts were good and in line for another dose another wonderful thing happened we got a visit from some of my most favorite young ladies in the world!!!  We are so blessed to live where we do and have such love and support! Thank you all so much it meant the world to me and Ron to have you all come you are the BEST!!!!

It's now 10:00 p.m. or shortly after and his dose #4 has just begun! I'm afraid it may be a LONG night! But that is why we are here and what a blessing for the numbers to come down the way they did, everyone was very sure that he was going to be done and going home! Never underestimate the power of the Ron or "Big Daddy" as his work associates call him! I'm so proud of him this has been a long day and I'm afraid he's in for a long night and maybe another long day tomorrow but thats what it's all about and we will never give up!!! Once again the blessings just seem to flow our way! We know it's from all the faith and prayers of so many! Thank you, Thank you, and please don't stop!

Day 3 of 2B IL2... Wednesday Feb 6, 2013

It's almost 8:00 a.m. and Ron is sleeping quit soundly:) His creatinine level went up last night to 2.12 which is too high and therefore not safe for another dose in the night.  Soooo they say you can get some rest and then we will re-check you in the morning and hope your level has gone down.  But what they mean is ... I'll be in every 30 minutes, to check on you poke you and turn on the lights whenever we can to make sure you really don't get any sleep at all.  haha But seriously I think Ron did get some sleep and I got a bit too.

So as for today???? I just asked the nurse how his labs looked that they took this morning around 4:00a.m. and his creatinine is still above a 2.  Having that said I really don't know for sure what they will do.  It's only Wednesday so I think they still have time to do some things to help get that level back down so they could dose him one more time I'm not really sure though so at this point we will just wait and see......    More later

Day 2 cont....

This day seems to never end!!! After he got a fever it would not go away! The remainder of the night was spent trying to get his fever to go down.  It finally broke at 6:00 a.m. this morning, and then he was able to sleep! Not before Labs and his weight check, it is up a bit but still not too high yet.  

7:00 a.m. shift change and we got Josh another great nurse! I seem to say that a lot! But that is because all the people who work here are so good and very amazing! They make this trial a whole lot better, on both me and especially Ron! 

Just a fun side note our Niece Tara had a baby girl this morning a few weeks early but both Mom and baby are doing great! Congratulations to the new parents and Grandparents. What a fun time:)!!

Labs are back and all is a go.....

10:50 a.m. Pre-meds given...

10:56 a.m.  Dose #3 lets go.....

1:00 p.m.  Riggers

3:00 p.m. meds make him sick and a bit of barfing takes place boo!!!

4:00 p.m. Fever 

Labs to see why the fever... we don't expect anything but they have to make sure its not an infection it seems to happen every time.  

In between all this Ron did get a visit from some special ladies representing the primary children from our ward with a wonderful poster that definitely brought his spirits up!  Thank you so much to the WB 7th ward primary children! 

  

And one other fun picture just for Sadie Joy.... Ron was telling her that he had a hard time sleeping with all the lights so she got him this to help him with that dilemma... 

and the funny thing is that he really is asleep in this picture! So cute!!! Well its almost 7:00 p.m. and we are just waiting for the results of the labs to determine if he will get another dose or not.  He is doing great and pushing through all the "walls" and "hard things" that he has to do.  Go Ron!!! 

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!!!

Day of 2B cont...

5:30 p.m. right on time riggers begin.  However they were controlled pretty quickly and Ron was able to get some rest! :)

6:30 p.m. He's awake and ready to go for a walk and dinner is ordered.  Cheese burger and fries Wow!

7:00 p.m. Shift change Carolyn is the night nurse for tonight.

Watch a little T.V. Ok I did the Bachelor is on tonight! haha

9:15 p.m. Ron is out! We found a new relief  EAR PLUGS!!! What a wonderful thing.  I think he got the most sleep he's ever gotten here! He slept for a good 2 and 1/2 hours.

11:30 p.m.  Pre-meds yep! You guessed it!

11:50 p.m. Dose #2

Feb. 5, 2013 Day #2 Begins with .....

1:00 a.m. Riggers and a temp of 101.8 Darn! I was in hopes that we would avoid the fevers this time but no such luck!

So I'm sitting next to his bed watching his chin quiver.  He's been given his first series of meds to combat the riggers and I think he may need another to get them to stop!

I was thinking tonight of my niece who has a darling little boy who has been fighting cancer for a lot longer than Ron.  He has a nick name they call him "Super Skyler" I think that is so appropriate! You really have to be a hero to go through all this!  I have to say, I always have been so thankful for Ron and all that he has done for me in our almost 30 years of marriage but going through this has to be the topper! He has always been my rock and even as he lays there in that bed he is singing me songs and telling me words of encouragement! He is so amazing!  I asked him how he was feeling earlier and he said, "I feel great! Tony the Tiger Great!" Never complaining no matter what!

I'm so thankful to know that we will have eternity to be together! He is one amazing Man!!!

Feb. 4, 2013 Monday Day 1 of 2B IL2

So here we go once again.  Day 1, I thought it might be interesting for all you readers out there to see what day one is like.  We get up early get the house in order and make sure Rocky is taken care of and head to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.

Arrive around 8:00 a.m.  Today was a good morning when we found out Chad one of our "favorite" nurses is going to be taking care of Ron today.

He is a great guy and takes very good care of Ron.  As you can see Ron feels great! But he hasn't been given any meds yet its still early in the day.

8:15 a.m.  Get hooked up to all the heart, blood pressure and oxygen monitors.

9:00 a.m. Meet with pharmacist, talk about Ron's meds.

9:15 a.m. Pic line is put in.  (Note before that happened he was given some meds to help make that process easier on Ron, he doesn't like this part at all!!!!)

9:55 a.m. Labs and weight taken for base line 192.9 to start.

10:45 a.m. Joan the attending nurse and Dr. Agerwall come in to check on Ron.

11:00 a.m. X-ray taken to make sure the pic line is in the right place.

12:00 p.m. Lab results back...... Ron's creatinine level is a bit elevated so they want to give him fluids to try to get it down a bit before they give him his first dose.  Sooooo

1:00 p.m. More fluids and more waiting.

1:30 fluids done more labs......  Ron starting level was 1.59 a normal person with 2 kidneys is .6 - 1.59
after the fluids it came down to 1.48 sooooo he's ready to get his first dose.  still not as low as we would like it to be but when you consider he only has 1 kidney and the 1 he has has been compromised it's not too bad.

2:30 p.m. Pre-meds lots of them!!! And finally.....

3:29 p.m. dose #1 has begun!!!

So thats it now its 4:20 p.m.  and we are just waiting for Ron to ask me to dance!

Lindsey made some really cute posters for his room for this week and Ron was very happy about them.  He loves looking at the pictures of his family!

So in Rons words it's time to fight, fight, fight!!!! Keep him in your prayers! More later :)

Hey all- Lindsey here, I just came across these pictures from a few weeks ago and it made me smile so I thought Id share it. I love my dad so much and am so lucky that I get to call him dad. Im also so so grateful that my girls have the best "pop" out there, they love him so much! They are very aware of his health and the prayers that they offer up to the Lord in his behalf are amazing, only from the mouths of babes. Love you dad!

Quick up date...

So Ron is really feeling better! So happy about that! However, he had some church things that he needed to take care of, so he got himself all ready to go and looking so good, there was just one problem! If you look closely at his feet you will see the good-looking shoes he has on.  haha His feet were still too swollen to fit into anything else.  And believe me he tried! I think he is so awesome.  He was more worried about being to the church than his shoes and if you know Ron that was a big deal! But again doesn't he just look so cute!!! Love him so much!

So he is still on track to go back for Round 2B on Monday.  So as always please keep him in your prayers!  Thank you all so much!!!