Doctor Visit and Soccor Game

Our visit to the clinic Tuesday (Oct 14th) was a short one. We had lab work and doctor visit and then just one unit of platelets transfused. 

No red cell transfusion till Thursday:
RBC = 3.22(L)
HGB = 9.7(L)
HCT = 28.5(L)

Platelets = 5(LL)

We wish these counts could improve. 
WBC = 0.3(LL)
ANC = 0.0(LL)

Creatinine = 0.98(L)
This count has been low the last few visits.  He needs more fluid if it is high, so we went down to half a liter of infusion daily for a week or two until we left for California when he had no hydration for those four days other than all the water he could drink.  The count remained low so we are no longer having to infuse saline each day until further notice.   We don't see this as a good thing, but in fact, the lower number now represents loss of muscle mass. 

We are trying to work on protein counts ...


With only one unit of platelets transfused, we were out of the clinic in good time today which meant we were home in time for Auger's soccer game.  It was the last of the season and we hadn't made it to any of them yet.  Here we are with this awesome family.

 

It has been awhile since I have had little children to watch like that and I had forgotten how fun it is to watch them play a sport at that age.  It was fun!

 

 

We had some fun on the swings too.

 



We also got a surprise visit from Shawna ..., we were playing in her back yard (or the park behind her yard), so she walked over to watch and visit. 

It was a good day!

Weekend Visit

Have you seen a pomegranate tree?  I know I have seen this tree before, but it just seemed to draw me in this time when I saw it and I decided I needed a photo of it.  This tree lives in the back of our oldest sons yard.  Terry and I went to visit his family this weekend and we had a lovely time. 

This is what I really wanted to see out in the yard - these four awesome grandchildren of ours.



We went to watch Brayden's football game Saturday.  Go Team!

Terry and the boys reading a book Sunday morning before church.

 

Here are the girls Sunday morning.

Sunday was a special day!  We sang the opening hymn (#98 I Need Thee Every Hour) in Sacrament Meeting and we heard little angels singing a few rows behind us.  It was such a sweet sound and it touched our hearts.  We sat in on the primary program practice during Sunday School and heard Ethan give his part and sing his heart out - so awesome.  Terry went to Priesthood and I stayed to see and hear the rest of the practice.  It wasn't long before I heard another heavenly choir.  It was a male choir singing a capella in the background.  The men were singing their opening song (#2 The Spirit of God) and it too touched my heart and will remain a wonderful memory.  I saw Tawnee and Brayden give their parts and was so proud of how they got right up there and said it with ease and conviction.

There was something else that made this day special - Gregory was released as Elders Quorum President and sustained and set apart as the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric.  We know that he will fulfill that calling well and that the Lord will be pleased.  He is a good man.  Terry was able to ordain Gregory a High Priest and stand in on that setting apart. 


Monday was our last day there and our flight was in the early evening so we went to the Phoenix Arizona Temple open house.  It was beautiful ... a perfect place to be with our family.   This is our view as we rounded the corner.  Lovely!

We parked in the Wet and Wild Water Park parking lot where they had charter buses driving the guests to and from the stake center and temple grounds, which was only a five minute drive. 

This visit to the temple was a special part of the weekend for me as we came into view of each of the rooms inside the temple and I could feel the eternal joy that is ours because of a choice Terry and I made over 34 years ago to go to the Idaho Falls Temple to be sealed for time and eternity.  We are an eternal family!  I must also say that the artwork in the temple was beautiful too.  Many of those beautiful pieces spoke to our heart and soul, each in it's own way.  I wish I could have taken pictures of them.

Here we are:

WE ARE AN ETERNAL FAMILY!


We are so happy to have had this opportunity to go see this lovely family and enjoy the weekend together, making memories.  They are all AWESOME!

medical report

Today's transfusions included two units of red cells and one unit of platelets.  

Doctor visits included an added sinus scan and visit to the ENT to try to help Terry with this sinus issue. No news on that yet, as we are waiting for tests to be done.

As for the bone marrow biopsy report - we can give no report today, it will still have to wait.

We're keeping it short and sweet today, and closing with one of my newest pinned quotes:

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you must never forget that when disappointment and discouragement strike ... you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection."  Jeffrey R. Holland

Our Weekend!

We really enjoyed  General Conference this past weekend!   




Wonderful messages  ...
I don't even feel like saying much about each or all of the messages, I just want to let them continue to live on in my heart and mind and then work harder to live the principles that we were taught.  I am now just so anxious to get our printed word.  ;)  Until then, I'll refer to lds.org where I can find and listen to each of these Oct 2014 messages again and again as desired.

We are blessed to have such wonderful opportunities to hear from inspired men of God.  Our souls rejoice and are filled with love from our Savior and Father above.   Now we must put their good words and our spiritual promptings to work to bless us as individuals, families, communities, and as a world. 

We will find more PEACE on earth as we do so. 

Dr. Visit

We set out for the clinic early Friday morning for a 7:30am lab appointment.  They took some blood and we waited for the results.  Terry's reds were up a bit but his platelets were not so good, I think at 3.  (We didn't get a copy of the report and I can't remember all the numbers.)

They decided on one unit of platelets so we got done at about 11:40am.  We had lunch and headed home. 

We have an appointment Tuesday (same time) and we'll get to meet with the doctor for the results of the biopsy.  WE ARE PRAYING!!!!

Well, it is the Halloween season so this quote seems appropriate for today:



found on pinterest



"While you were busy judging others you left your closet open and your skeletons fell out." 

;) kinda scary huh!

"I MAKE A DIFFERENCE"

I took the opportunity to donate blood at the blood drive in Royal City on Thursday.  This was a new experience for me - I was a first time donor and it was a good experience.  I've thought about giving blood several times in my life but never have actually done it.  This time was different - the need for donated blood has never been so real and personal in my life.  It was a personal goal I needed to accomplish and I am glad I was able to.    



I am grateful that I had this opportunity to give and share with others in need.  Even though I am just one I MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  It feels good!  Each donor made a difference that day as they gave their blood to bless a life or two or three. 

I know that there are many people that are dependent upon donor blood to stay alive, and I am grateful for all who shared that day.  I am grateful that others have shared and provided the much needed blood for Terry the past several weeks and even occasionally through the past several years.  I am grateful for those who's blood he will receive as needed in the future.

There is no substitute for human blood and there is no substitute for kind donors who give and share blood so that others may be blessed ... and live.   So on behalf of Terry and all of our friends and acquaintances who need blood, and all others I've never met but need blood, we say

THANK YOU!

I am aware that there were some who came to donate, but for various reasons could not.  We THANK YOU too!  Each volunteer made a difference!  Your kind and unselfish desire and efforts will not go unnoticed by our loving Father and our Savior above.






He knows His sheep! John 10:14

GIVE, OH GIVE!

image from here

Donate Blood!

Just a reminder:
Blood drive tomorrow - Thursday at New Life Church in Royal City.
10:00am to 7:00pm

image from here


(FYI - I'd like to scratch out the word Better and replace it with Great)