Just Business

This blog is just business.  It’s inspired by the books Benjamin has been reading this summer - “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” The first book is titled, “The Bad Beginning,” and the final, 13th book is titled, “The End.”  I was looking forward to reporting on our vacation to the Outer Banks (which started with a “bad beginning”) but thought I’d better just jump to “the end.”  

After two  weeks of watching Kevin trying to manage his pain, we decided to cut his vacation a few days short and fly Kevin and my dad directly home to California last Saturday, August 6th.  The car ride home from the airport ended at San Clemente Hospital where Kevin was admitted for pain control.  On Sunday, a blood test showed Kevin to be anemic, and a CTscan unfortunately showed innumerable, tiny nodules in both of his lungs.  On Monday, Kevin was transferred to Saddleback Memorial in Laguna Hills.  He could only endure 15 minutes of a 45 minute MRI, but the results provided enough information to confirm 2 spots where the bone is growing into the spinal canal.  These spots would definitely account for the horrific pain that Kevin has been dealing with in his right flank and his ribs.  They did the 1st session of radiation on both spots that same day, with 9 more treatments scheduled.  Today (Tuesday, August 9th) Kevin’s pain is under control, but some adjustments to medication will be monitored for the next 24 hours with the hope that he will be able to come home tomorrow.

Grateful Heart

Thank you to my brother-in-law Eric who truly made our vacation possible.  You are an amazing doctor, and an even better drug dealer.

Thank you to all of our Southern relatives for your amazing hospitality, and for those who traveled from far just to spend a few hours with us.

Thank you Mom and Dad for creating a magical vacation.  Mom, thank you for orchestrating every detail, and thank you both for raising a family that loves to be with one another.

Thank you to Darin and Susie Gilson who drove me and the kids from Salt Lake City through the night so we could get home to Kevin.  Darin, I will never forget your immediate and unhesitating response, “Let’s get you home.”

Thank you Rudi and Eva for willingly driving Josh to St. George to meet his high adventure group.  It’s where Kevin wanted Josh to be . . . and it’s where Kevin would like to be, too. 

Thank you to my ward family and neighbors for the jam packed fridge, freezer, and pantry, the meals, the folded laundry, and the most incredible welcome home sight of hearts and love and well wishes covering every inch of our garage door . . . and front door . . . and windows.  I can hardly wait for Kevin to come home and see it.