Saturday, September 5, 2009

The Topic Of Cancer

These days most people have had some experience or contact with cancer. Either you've fought it yourself or someone you know has. There are many stories of people young and old who bravely fought the war with cancer. Like the one of the old man who built an entire hospital wing adjacent to his home so that his wife may be treated while he continued to watch closely over his lawn, ensuring no children played on it. Or the one about the experimental program that utilized trained gorillas to perform the surgeries to remove tumors and reduce the cost of doctors fees as gorillas will work for bananas and mating rights. This blog is to be a record of one such story.
It's the story of an aging man who had let himself go simply because he felt like it. Now, in hindsight, which is somewhat obscured by the fumes, he just might begin to regret it as he will soon be subjected to some of the most grueling tests and trials of his life. Most feared of these tests will undoubtedly be the strict diet that he will have to live by. The very limits of just what constitutes a food product will be called into question and whether or not it is determined to be food he will probably still have to eat it. Of course we will cross that viaduct when we get to it. Before we can go into those horror stories that always end with, "...and remember children, to always eat your vegetables" we must start our story at its beginning because that is where it begins.
It was a dark and stormy night. The low rumble of the thunder outside could barely be heard over the loud cries of agony from the maternity ward, but none were so loud as those of Barbara Richards. This being her third childbirth she was screaming directions to her obstetrician to hurry the heck up and get the damned kid out already. Shortly thereafter Kevin Richards was born as the doctor seized his head by the ears and gave a good yank. While the doctor had insisted that he could perform a quick surgery at no extra cost to reduce the size of Kevin's ears Barbara said no thanks, that'll teach him for being difficult and the family returned home.
That was a real long time ago and to this day he has remained a bit difficult. This has not at all been helped by his mostly growing into his ears. Having grown up with a passion for sports he has always been athletic, playing tennis, basketball, and volleyball as often as he could. But as he grew older he began to play these sports less, and started to move on to the age old sport of the aged called golf, and he's never been the same since. Some blame this change in athleticism for his "going soft" while others, himself included, have believed it to be an extreme case of "Bishopitis," which is also responsible for his going soft. And that is what we first thought was responsible for his recent change in health, a progression of Bishopitis.
As it turns out Bishopitis can share symptoms with cancer and its a good thing we decided to send him to the vet to get a PET scan or we might have missed it. While it was difficult to get him into his travel cage it was Hillary, his eldest daughter who had the brilliant idea of using a can of Dr. Pepper as bait and soon we were on our way. After several tests (and a whole lot of howling) we have learned that Kevin Richards has cancer. Multiple Myeloma to be specific, so we are setting up this blog to tell the tale, document it for posterity, and have a way for all three of you who really care to share your comments, advice, information, and personal stories that may help us. Please refrain from sending your condolences for the appropriate time.

18 comments:

  1. We love you KEVIN!!

    Love, Ben & Leslie & the kids

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  2. You're in our prayers.

    The Hemsaths (Dustin, Whitney, & Jason)

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  3. You re the MAN! We love you Kevin. You are in our prayers.

    Love,

    Michael, Tani and kids

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  4. "If you can't be with the ones you love, love the ones your with." You are a great example of this reasoning. We have felt your love in many ways and want you to know that we love you and pray constantly for you and your sweet family. This is a great blog btw. Ron & Barbara Hogeland

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  5. It's great to see your blog is treating this with the reverence it deserves!!! Glad to know there will be small ammounts of derpression tolerated! You are loved. Put on your coconut shells and grass skirt for your next appointment because I bet they got it wrong and it is breast cancer.

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  6. You are probably the funniest man I know, Obese-po.

    Hang in there! YOU ROCK!

    Dust

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  7. This will most likely be the most entertaining cancer story I'll ever hear about! Hang in there, and put Hawaii on your bucket list!

    Geoffrey (You know, that guy Andrea married...)

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  8. Well, this is ONE way to get rid of Bishopitis, although I would have preferred another route (put your house up for sale, almost move, get released and then you're home free! is a popular one). You are in our daily prayers and as you already know - we love the heck out of you!
    Love,
    Andrea Hughes

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  9. Okay, the gauntlet has been thrown down and you are going to Kick Bootie! And we are going to help you! Just let us know what we can do.

    And if this is your way of getting a free disabled tour of the castle there are other ways of going about that....like just asking me!

    Hang in there! See, that stubborn streak of yours is actually a positive personality characterstic in this case! My stubborness sure helped me with my battle with G.B.

    Stay Stubborn!

    Brett

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  10. Micah and I want you to know that we are thinking of you and wishing you the best wishes we can from Utah.

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  11. You know I love you all! "Uncle Kevan" is an important part of our family! You will be in my prayers. Let me know if there's anything I can do...you know I always love an excuse to come home:).

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  12. Big Ears - I never noticed! We love you and your family - I'm glad you have professionals working with you - It's time for someone to take care of you and your family! Your in our prayers... And thanks for the Blog to keep us posted..... Lou Ann

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  13. I was afraid of this..he really is rotten to the core then. I had my concerns and now it is verified. Dale please continue to make him shower...that is a national health issue. I hope all this will resolve sooner than later and Kev gets back to his "normal self". I will handle the L.A. Temple prayer rolls. And of course my personal prayers will combine with all the others who are petitioning the Heavens in your behalf. Thank you for doing the blog. It will help us all to keep up with you all. Love you tons and more.
    -Judy

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  14. Sorry to say it so publicly, well maybe I'm not, BUT, vegetables and fruit ARE GOOD!

    Hind sight is 20/20 for all of us.

    You are in our prayers too. You are truly blessed with a great family, ward family and friends.

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  15. Hey guys. You know I am not a fuddy, i mean funny guy so I won't try to be. What is Bishopitis, I have heard of Leishmaniasis, flesh eating nasty stuff, so being a bishop gets one the bishopitis? I will see KRR tomorrow, got some questions about a hike I am taking next week, so see you then. Love to all, even you darryl.

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  16. We're right here Bishop, waiting for your return! We love you and pray the power of Jesus Christ will strengthen you and your family. FIGHT BACK!

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  17. We feel so sad that our beloved Richards family and dear Bp. Kevin have to even go through this huge trial. Our many-times-a-day prayers are right there with and for you. We know Heavenly Father loves you all & still has wondrous blessings in store for you. You are dear to us & we find strength in your example.
    And we're grateful for this tech that allows us to keep up on how things are going so we don't just have to wonder. Such love to you all.
    Larry & Daphne

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