Chemo and Cafe Rio

Dave got his first experience with chemo today. He recieved it through the port in his chest. We were at the hospital for about 5 hours. Afterward we picked up our load of medications and I have been trying to sort them out using a pill box that a friend sent me:) Dave isn't feeling the effects of chemo yet and we moved in to our hotel room downtown. We are required to be close to Huntsman in the event that anything goes wrong. My mom and Rod brought Cafe Rio and the kids to come visit us tonight. It was so good to hug and kiss them. It is crazy how time warps. I felt like I hadn't seen them for days. They had a great time playing on the bellhop cart. Well now we sit and wait and watch for Dave to get sick and then we endure it and then we watch him get better. Sounds simple right? I love how trials can make you remember what is most important and how to cherish the simple yet meaningful things in our lives. Life is precious and beautiful. Thank you again to everyone walking with us every footstep we take. We love you.

Dave's co-workers all joined in.

Ben and Smith

Marc and Gabe
Feelin' the love.......

We had some additional supporters join in on the head shaving fun. I will post the pics as I receive them. Thanks to everyone for your support. Matt from Portland....

Thanks so much for everyone who participated today near and far. It was a lot of fun. Thanks Jeffrey, Jasen, Ryan P., Bishop, Carter, Scott, Dave B., Dan, Steve, Bud, Sam, Zac, Dave M., Austin, Jared, and Higgins.

Sunshine and Rain

This week has been a lot more challenging than Dave and I anticipated. Dave got really sick from growth injections this week and stem cell collection was really hard on Dave's body. They decided to keep him sedated on Tuesday and Wednesday after he got dehydrated from all the sick symptoms he was having. Then the fluids they gave him went to his abdomen and lung cavaties making it difficult for him to breathe. They then had to give him diaretics to drain the fluid so that he could breathe easy again. We spent most of the week at the hospital. Friday afternoon he started feeling better and has felt back to "normal" again. We had some sweet experiences this week too: visits, phone calls, notes, and care packages from people concerned for Dave. It has been bitter sweet. The kids are happy to have Dave's tubes pulled out of his neck. Grant had been avoiding huging or kissing Dave all week finally gave him a hug and kiss again. He was kinda freaked out I think. He still has a port in his chest for the next year where he will be recieving chemo. The chemo starts Friday the 28th of January.

Well today was the head shaving party. We had a great time and Dave felt the support of his friends, our bishopric, co-wokers, and family members.

Day One of Many Days to Come

Dave got his central line and his temporary line surgically inserted today. These line are ports that are used for removing stem cells out of his body and to put the chemotherapy in. Dave had a great attitude today and kept joking around. My personal favorite was when he was coming out of recovery he said "I have the power" refering to He-Man and then started singing the Thundercats theme song. He remembers none of this and is unsure that I am telling the truth. I am. He gets a long weeked of R&R to recover and get some shots to increase his white blood cells and then mobilize them into the bloodstream. Tuesday, Wednesday, and maybe Thursday he will be at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital all day to remove the stem cells.
He is resting and still a little out of it. Ally and Grant went to open gym at Ally's gymnastics tonight. We are trying to get the wiggles out before our 2 months home bound starting Jan.31.
Dave and I will be moving downtown in a hotel while the kids stay at home with my mom and my sister Kim. Thank goodness for family and friends.