His creatine level did come down....barely but they decided to dose him anyway. At 2:10 pm he got dose #2 and at 4:00 pm he started in on the riggers. Now it will be the rest of today, and all through the night for him to shake off this dose, redo labs and see where things are at. Then they will decide if he will get dose #3. It is very much a day by day hour by hour thing. I really don't think I have ever seen him this sick. He stood up this morning, thinking he was going to go for a walk....thank goodness he had a great aid, standing by his side who just happened to be a young STONG man who heard Ron say "oh no," as Ron began to pass out, the aid basically cradled Ron and put him back into his bed and said, "I don't think he's going for a walk just yet!" Ron really likes the young men who are here to help him! He treats them as if they were his boys. And they treat him really great too!
Now for the GOOD news!!!! Yes there is always good things, you just have to know where to find them. Today it was in the form of our good friend Bob Thomas. I have spoken of him before, he lives around the corner from us. He had exactly the same thing that Ron has. Notice the word "had!" He came to visit Ron this morning. He was here getting his quarterly scans of his own, and the good news is that Bob is still no growth! It will be 2 years in July for Bob. He did the IL2 with Dr. Agerwal, same as Ron and he is doing so good! He is my Hero for Ron to follow! He didn't have to have the radiation on the brain that Ron has done, but other than that, Ron is pretty much following in Bob's footsteps! It has taken a long road to get there but the point is he is there!!! Doing great and giving Ron the much needed encouragement that he needs. Thanks so much Bob!!!!!
As always please keep praying for Ron! I know that they are a huge part of his being able to go through this whole process! The power of prayer is such a wonderful gift that we have been given, I feel so blessed to know that we are never alone!
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
Bob Thomas is my brother. I just got off the phone with him, he called to give us the good news that his scan yesterday was GOOD! We are thrilled and count our blessings every day. Bob has talked of Ron (Bishop Beckstrand) often and I know of his concern for you. Bob is also my hero, besides being a wonderful brother, he has shown me that even in the darkest hours we must keep fighting. I love what you are doing with this blog. Bob told me about it. He and I said he should have done a blog. But then it would be hard to do one about your self. I am a Heritage Maker so my way of surviving his struggles during surgery and treatments, and the fear that we might lose him was for me to write a book about his life. I remember the day I gave it to him I knew it was to comfort me! That was 2 years ago. I will add you to my prayers. Hang in there Ron and family.
ReplyDeleteBob Thomas is my dad. I met Ron when my dad was first diagnosed with cancer. I remember being impressed that Ron took time out of his day to try and comfort someone in need of support. Life sure has a funny way of twisting and turning and I know that my dad is honored to help Ron and family now. Although I must admit that I sobbed like a baby when I read your post.
ReplyDeleteYesterday was a great day. I could hear the excitement in my dad’s voice. I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since we sat a Huntsman…praying that Pop would get another dose of stuff to make him sicker. I can totally relate to where you’re at. Pop used to get the rigors pretty bad, then BP drop, then some crazy Potassium & Creatine levels. The people at Huntsman are amazing and I stay in contact with many of the staff and patients to this day.
I read that your family is planning a trip to Hawaii. DO IT…no matter what. My dad, sister and I had an opportunity to go to Hawaii as well. It was such a last minute deal that I found out I was going @ 4pm on Friday and I was on a plane @ 630pm Friday (thanks to my amazing wife and sister). We had some amazing experiences while there.
I remember after the 1st round of treatments, the skin on my dad’s feet would peel off…right down to the pink baby soft skin. We coined this phenomenon “Peel to Heal”. Kind of a catchy slogan, but Pop could barely walk and I saw tears in the eyes of a man that doesn’t cry to easily. Regardless of the pain, Pop insisted on going to his favorite place (which happens to be mine as well)…Lake Powell. You sure tend to notice and pay attention a lot more, when you think something is going away. I wouldn’t trade this time for anything.
You will be tested in ways that you can’t even dream up. When you get good news, be thankful. When you get news you don’t like find a way around it until you get the outcome you want. Just never give up!!! I used to tell my dad that cancer can only take what you let it, so don’t let it take you.
The courage and faith Pop showed in the face of what seemed to be insurmountable odds continues to amaze me. I truly believe Pop just flat refused to take anything less than a good outcome. Cancer sucks, but I have learned that while cancer can take it will also give too.
Please know that your family is in our hearts and prayers and we wish you all the best. Stay strong and fight on!!!