The Topic of Cancer

The Blah, Blah, Blah, Blog

2012-01-29T21:41:00.000-08:00

Just going to get you caught up with the last couple of months. Should have something really good to share soon, as a week from Monday (Feb. 6th) I'll be back in SF for the radio frequency ablation on my spinal nerves that are giving me pain. So until that story unfolds, you'll just have to listen to to the blah, blah, stuff.

I probably told you that chemo makes your skin photosensitive. Well, when you're a very white person who has already been through the melanoma thing, the chemo can apparently really cause them to pop out. Understand, the skin cancers that we get are from exposure and damage decades ago. Well, just like with my cataract and gall bladder, chemo speeds things up. I went to my regular dermatologist mid-December. I saw him a year ago and only had a couple things frozen off. This time he was not so happy. 16. That's right. I had 16 little pre-cancers that had to be frozen off. I now have to wear long sleeves pretty much all the time, and I have to wear sunscreen on my face, and especially on my hands, every day! It's like having to wear makeup! I had 2 on each of my hands at the end of the thumb near the wrist, and 1 on the top of my left hand. Why you ask? From having my hands on the steering wheel and the sun beating through the windshield. 3 on my left arm. 1 pretty big and bad. Sun through the drivers side window. The rest on my face and ears. So just remember kids, too much sun can kill.

Throughout December and January every time I walked out of the house I caught some bug. It was funny having my monthly interview with the pharmaceutical company that supplies my chemo pills. We chat about side effects, and infections, and rashes and things since my last interview. You know, just like girl talk. So as I'm explaining what's been going on the representative taking the report asks: 'So any infections this past month?' "Yes. A bad sinus infection. A bad bronchial infection that we kept from becoming pneumonia. An ear infection that my Dr. deemed a very angry ear. And eye infections in my right eye which was bad enough to close it up with swelling and green gunk that would become crusty requiring me to wash the eye with warm water in order to try and flush it with saline, and left eye that wasn't quite as the right eye." 'Wow, you've had quite a month", she exclaimed. "Month? I had all of them at the same time over a two week period. I still have the bronchial and sinus infections, the ear ache is mostly gone, and I can see now out of both eyes." The girl freaked. 'What?! Wait while I get the pharmacist on the line please.' The pharmacist and I had spoken many times over the past 20 months that I've been in the daily chemo trial. She was cool. 'Well Mr. Richards. I hear that you're carrying on with your tradition of either being really good or really bad. I think you may have set another record.' That's the way it is when you have very little of your immune system.

Here's the other thing about being on chemo, and then starting a antibiotic series: they don't play well together. Now the antibiotics chased the infections away, and for that I'm truly grateful. It also made me sicker than I have been in a very long time. I will put it less delicately, over a period of several days, I broke records for nausea trips to the bathroom. It was coming and going. I was very glad when the 10 day treatment ended. I think our water bill was double for a normal month.

Now I want to say a special thank you to Dr. Sandy Tulanian. My internal organs have been protesting the pounding of chemo that they received during my treatments up to the transplant. They have been also getting tired of the long term exposure to the daily chemo process as well, and rebelling. Dr. Tulanian diagnosed my physiological needs to combat the damage, and provided supplements. Well, after two months they stopped the downward spiral. My oncologists were impressed. My last tests showed that in fact things are actually getting better inside. Way to go Sandy! So, it will likely be a recurrence of the cancer that will kill me, and not from organ failure. At least they're still working on better drugs with less side effects and less damage to other organs, or perhaps even a cure. Till then. Pills. Lots of pills.

Here's the latest report. I had a test that showed that my IgM level had doubled in a month. Usually, this is an indication that the cancer is coming back. Not for me. The chemo is designed to suppress the production of those IgM cells, which is where my cancer was. But my body produced an increase of those cells, with them being GOOD cells, not bad. I take this as a good sign. It could also mean that the cells are adapting to the chemo and that the chemo is becoming less effective, but I don't see it that way. As a matter of fact, Dr. Wolf discussed with me at our last appointment Jan. 15th, that he might take me off of the Revlimid altogether, or reduce my usage, in May or June of this year. He said that by doing so it would allow my organs, and particularly my neuropathy, to improve and get healthy again. We have learned that the Revlimid works for me, so when the cancer comes back we just start the chemo again and knock it down. SUWEEET!

Many have asked about what side effects I get from the chemo. Let me 'splain. No, there is no time. Let me some up. Extra credit if you know the reference. I take the pill before I go to bed. About 20 or so minutes after I take it, the fun begins. First, you know the feeling you get sometimes when you feel like you have bugs/things crawling all over your body? That's the chemo affecting the nerves. Crawlies for about 2 hours or so. I try and read to distract me, but I do itch them every so often. Second, after about 30 minutes, the body aches and bone aches start. I really try to be upstairs within that time or it's actually a chore to get up to bed. Unfortunately, the body aches make the back aches from the spine issues worse. Then there is some nausea. There are a few times a night when I feel that I have to get up and throw up or have diarrhea. Usually I just pee. And usually I don't have to throw up or sit on the Fritz (German john), but there have been times when I thought it was false alarm, and well, it wasn't pretty. Especially at 2 or 3 in the morning. Fortunately the side effects begin to wear off around 4:30 to 6 a.m., depending on when I took it the night before. Those that know me best know that I WAS a morning person. I would get up at 5:15 to go play basketball and to teach seminary. Now, if I can sleep until 9 or so, it's heaven. Today, I woke up at 9:40. I stayed in bed re-re-reading my Gospel Principles lesson and jotting notes until about 10:30. I don't mind 1pm church. I trade a nap for sleeping in. Another side effect is the neuropathy. The chemo kills the nerves. I have very little feeling in my fingers, hands, toes, feet and brain! While having the missionaries to dinner last month I was slicing some pieces of beef stick for them. Elder Sorenson brings it to my attention that I've got blood all over my hand. Pretty good slice. I told him that if it weren't for the neuropathy that would really hurt! I can't open bottles with caps very well. I drop everything because I can't tell if I'm gripping it tight enough. I did have a golf club go flying out of my hand during a swing. My toothbrush drops out of my hands all the time. Think about it. I HAVE CHEMO BRAIN. It's like chemically induced dementia. My skin is paper thin, rough and crusty. I'm lizard boy. You could blow on me and I'd bruise. Thanks to a wonderful and beautiful young lady in our ward by the name of Kim Engard, who happens to be a Mary Kay distributor, she has provided me with an array of lotions and scrubs that make my skin soft and less objectionable. The chemo's turning my hair gray! Can you imagine! At my age! Dang it. How about being tired all day every day? See, with 1/3 the normal number of red blood cells in my body there's 1/3 the oxygen and energy getting to my body. With very little immune system your susceptible to every thing that's out there. Then there's the digestion issues. Assimilation of nutrient issue. My goodness, it just goes on. I'll stop here. For those that asked, well, you won't make that mistake again, will you? For those that didn't, well, TMI.

Please, don't get the wrong idea. I am not complaining. If it comes off that way, I don't mean for it to. I am grateful for what I have, any life at all. I can do so much more now that I could a year ago. Two years ago I was at UCSF hospital doing chemo loading prepping for the stem cell transplant. I made it through 3 hours of church. I taught the Gospel Principles lesson. We had 6 or 7 investigators at church today and I had the opportunity to bear my testimony of Heavenly Father's love and power. I was able to give a sister in our Ward who is struggling with her cancer treatments a blessing. I have received 21 blessings through my treatments. I will get my 22nd next Sunday before my trip Monday to SF. But this time I was able to give the blessing, not just receive one. I made dinner. I love my life. I'm grateful for my "new normal" as we call it.

Well, you didn't have to get to the end to figure out the title, did you. If you made it this far, and even if you know someone who tried but just started hearing blah, blah, blah, I love and appreciate you all for what you've given me. My new normal. I'm wishing all of you a great life, full of new and improved normals, without the side effects.

PAIN (YOUR PAIN) IS FUN TO THESE PEOPLE

2011-12-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not getting to this sooner, but that's the way my life goes. No bad, but good. I'll share for those who may still be interested.

Due to the continuing pain in my back, despite the improvements from physical therapy, something had to be done. At the end of the day when I would lay down in bed I would still have throbbing in my entire lower body. My left leg was not only numb, but tingly. Right leg only numb. Left hand numb and tingly too. Can't do Aleve or ibuprophen due to kidney issues, so you just live with it, right? Wrongo. Thanks to the wonders of UCSF medicine, brought to you by the people who kept me alive, and a referral by my orthopedist, Dr. Shane Burch, I finally got an appointment with the UCSF Pain Management office. So, on November 5th, I, along with Darrell and a good friend Wes Castro (a most interesting fellow, if you ever get the chance to visit with him), headed north to SF. We had some difficulty getting there, but thankfully, after not a little fret on my part, which annoyed Darrell and Wes I think, we got there with time to spare. So as I got settled in the waiting area, Darrell and Wes headed out into the streets of SF until my return from the inner sanctums of the Center. Here we are in front of the very low key office in the shadow of the big UCSF Mt. Zion hospital.

I will now introduce the supporting characters by order of appearance. First was Dr. Ramana Naidu, a Clinical Fellow of anesthesiology and pain management. He asked a lot of questions but never actually said that he was going to be the one inserting the needles into my back. Next to him is Jackie Weiss, a 4th year medical student (she made sure I knew that she was a 4th year student), who was there to observe.

The next participant was the nurse, who only wanted to be identified as 'Nurse Kelly'. What her real name is I don't know. At first she didn't want to be photographed but after I assured her that there were no law enforcement people tracking my blog she agreed to be photographed. I didn't pixelate her face either.

Now behind us you can see a couple screens where MRIs of my spine are being shown. It was from these pictures that Dr. Naidu planned his work. To the right of Nurse 'Nancy' was a portable Cat-scan machine that they use during the procedure. He was supervised by Dr. Melanie Henry, MD, MPH (whatever that means) and Assistant Clinical Professor and Attending Physician. You can just call her Doctor.

So as I understand it (I was there but face down on the table to the right of Dr. Henry so I didn't get to see much), they rolled the portable Cat-scan machine over me while the rest of the cowards stayed back away from the deadly rays it produces while Dr. Naidu began to stick needles into my back to inject some steroid that I think starts with "D". The steroid then reduces the pain and pinpoints the problem area for future possible oblation of the actual nerves. The injections last 2-6 months. The oblation can last 8-10 years. The only hitch was when Dr. Naidu would stick the needle in me and then I'd hear, "I'm hitting bone. I can't seem to get between them." The object is to get the needle between the two rubbing facets in order to inject the steroid at the offending spot. Dr. Henry would respond, "Just back it out and try it at a different angle." So in again he would stick the needle, unfortunately, with the same result not infrequently. I stopped counting how many times he had to stab me. That's not the important. He got it done. The pain from the injections themselves was not so great for a few days, but a couple days later my spinal pain was much better. So far it has worked, somewhat. It doesn't relieve all pain, but a lot of it. So thank you to these wonderful people at UCSF for making my life better. Can't wait to do the bottom one & the right side.

Of course the most important reason for me recovering from the procedure was so that I could play golf with my UCSF oncologist, Dr, Jeffrey Wolf. That's right, my Dr. invited me to play golf with him at a pretty famous golf course there in SF. He arranged his schedule (and mine) so that we could golf at Harding Park. Most of you won't care, but, it's been a regular PGA Tour stop, the course where the President's Cup was played in 2010 and 2011, and hosted the final Senior PGA Championship tournament of the season just a few days before we played. Another patient was supposed to play with us, but had to back out at the last minute. It was meant to be as we were paired with a young couple who had a 10 month old baby girl. Some people deal with stress in different ways. I loved her way. Just that morning she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and decided to try and relieve her stress by playing golf with her husband. As I introduced myself to her husband, Dr. Wolf shared that I was coming back from cancer and walked back to the cart to get something. Her husband shared her diagnosis from earlier that day. with me. I told him that Dr. Wolf (who just introduced himself as Jeff) was an oncologist and that we were paired together so that she could get some advise and comfort from Jeff. Dr. Wolf then returned and I informed him of the young woman's diagnosis. He smiled and walked over to her, pulled down the neck of his turtle neck shirt, and showed her his car from when he had his thyroid removed due to cancer when he was 28. It was way cool, and they talked quite a bit and thanked him as they left feeling so much better about the whole thing.

Now to answer the question that is on everyone's mind, "But how did you do?" I did OK. Started out too sore and stiff from 2 days in SF and triple bogeyed the first 2 holes. Got looser and by the last 2 holes we were tied. The clouds had come in and it was drizzling. Dr. Wolf chipped in a shot out of a greenside pot bunker, with a downhill break that hit the flag dead center and the ball jumped in. It was a great shot! For the last hole it was so dark that we couldn't see. Fortunately there were a couple of guys from Ireland playing behind us that asked if they could play with us so that they could finish the course. I said "Of course", as Dr. Wolf hesitated, but I reminded him that we needed their young eyes to be able to see our balls in the dark. They helped a lot. We all finished as it started to rain. I shot an 89, which isn't too bad for my first time on the course and starting out with 2 triple bogeys. We both determined that we were going to break 90 as we were tied at 46 after 9 holes, and we did it. Would it have been bad form for me to win? I guess I'll never have to worry about that anyway. Then we had dinner at a great little Italian restaurant. Home by 10:15.

My last thank you go to Joan and Dan Murphy. Remember my friend Dennis Lozano from my very first stay at UCSF? Well, his wife Marie, is a sister to Joan Murphy. They live about 3-4 miles from UCSF and about 1-2 miles from Harding Park. They invited me to stay at their place on Weds. night, so that I didn't have to get a hotel and would have a place near the hospital for my early morning appointment with Dr. Wolf. It was a wonderful stay. It was so great to be able to learn more about them and their beautiful family. Marvelous food. Great and very interesting company. A great bed with all the comforts of their home. It was wonderful. Thank you Joan and Dan for your hospitality and care. I apologized to them and to the rest of you for my failure to take any pictures. Next time, Joan and Dan?

Gullible's Travels

2011-09-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a long time since I last posted, but there just hasn't been too much that I could share going on. But after a couple of months I'll try and make your visit to the blog worth while. As for the medical news... Do ya'll realize that it's been just over 2 years since I went to UCSF's ICU for the first time? It's been a long time, yet in some ways it seems like yesterday. Oddly enough I don't remember much of that first visit. I just remember that while lying in the ICU unit I over heard all of the doctors and nurses planning the hospital's production of Guys and Dolls. I was so out of it that I couldn't respond. After a couple of days, I was able to let my nurse know that I could help them out by doing the "Nicely Nicely' part and that I already knew the words to the song "Sit down your rockin' the boat". He acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. I figured they just gave the part to someone else while I was recovering and he didn't want to hurt my feelings. I missed my chance for fame and glory. Some say I haven't fully recovered from my medicated psychosis. Others say I've always had it.

Who are these people and where is this beautiful place? The first part of Sept. I was able to visit some clients (just in case the IRS is monitoring my blog) and friends in the Seattle area of Washington State. I'd never been there before and it was fantastic. It really reminded me on southern Germany from my mission, with fields cut out of forest and rivers and lakes everywhere. Lush and green. And for me, it didn't rain a single second. Actually, it didn't rain for a month. I did get to stay with my great buddy and lifelong friend, Dan Stuart and his family. Here's a picture of them, except for Ethan, who for some strange reason was already asleep, and Carly, who at 2, was just uncooperative. Dan, Cynthia, Aveson and Brady. I had a great time with them. They live just north of Seattle in the Marysville area. Their yard is one-half yard, one-half forest/jungle. Wild berries grow everywhere and people there will go out for a day with their families and pick enough to can for the rest of the year. Here's Dan in his backyard. Finally got a picture of Carly, when she didn't know I was coming.

The trip turned into a visit of high school and long time ago friends. I didn't get any pictures, but I was able to visit with Butch and Chelli Pogue, who Dale & I knew in Long Beach, and then they moved to Tacoma. They gave us some wonderful support during the last years, and I needed to visit with them to say thank you face to face. But only I got to see their faces and you don't because I was so excited to see them that I forgot to take a picture. Where was Hillary when I needed her?

Dan & Cynthia have lived in the area just 1 year, so they didn't know the places to explore & see. But thankfully, I had another lovely high school connection, none other than Colleen Sweeney, my high school sweetheart, who's lived in Seattle for many years and knows all of the places to see in the area. Her ex London Smith was also present and we became BFFs over Astin Martins (he owned one) and many other things. So with Dan & his family we loaded up the vehicles and went exploring thanks to Colleen and her impromptu Pacific Northwest Pixie Tours. I can't show everything, but you'll get a flavor for the city and surrounds, including the city views, views of the truly spectacular Puget Sound, waterfalls just minutes from the city, and importantly for me, great places to eat with fabulous views. Thanks Colleen and London for so much fun!

Then I headed east towards Spokane, where I was to visit another client. But on the way I was able to visit another great friend from high school days, Frank Portera and his family. Did I ever tell you the story of how Frank sank his new motorcycle? Lots of good stories with Frank. He reminded me of the time...well, we'll save that for another day. Frank lives in Selah, which is just outside Yakima, the apple capital of the country. It's high desert, but I was amazed at the amount of water that still was flowing through it all. We went to Red Lobster because it was the first night of "all you can eat shrimp" promotion. Frank can eat a lot of shrimp. His adorable wife Cindy less so. His step-daughter Erin also. We included our waiter in the picture. I think his name was Travis. It was his first night working there and he did great. We hit it off and had to include him in our group picture. Former Marine. Great guy. Erin's not interested, however. Erin didn't want to come listen to 2 old guys talk about the good ol' days. Mom convinced her and she admitted that she hadn't laughed so had for so long in years. That Frank was really a wild & crazy guy. She just never knew it. If you can imagine this, I was the voice of reason in our group! So you can imagine what Frank was like. To take liberty with a line from Guys and Dolls, spoken by Big Julie, "Thirty-three accusations. Not one conviction."

While in Spokane, where I visited another client, I also was able have a visit with these two wonderful ladies. The younger of the two, and daughter, is Kendra Player. She was my oldest brother Mark's girlfriend in high school. The fiestier of the two, is June Smith. She was the wife of the only scoutmaster that lasted more than 6 months with our group. His name was Lamar Smith. He and my dad were good friends, and they died from cancer within 2 weeks of each other about 6 years ago. Lamar was the scoutmaster when Jeff was bonked on the head with the 22 lb. rock on Navajo trail at Bryce Canyon, and when one of the Rangers at Death Valley asked him to make sure that I never came back. What? Another time another story. We had a wonderful time and thank you for finding me a restaurant (Old European in No. Spokane) where I was able to get real German potato pancakes with applesauce. Takin' me back 37 yrs. ish.

To wrap up my WA trip just a couple more pictures and stories. Of course with Dan and I we fanagled in some golfing. The courses are cut out of the forests. There's nothing 'man-made' but the course itself. If you are prone to hitting out of bounds, bring lots of balls with you. I lost 4, and that's very low. I don't hit it that far either. But once it's in the woods, you'll never find it, or get torn to shreds by the thorns on the wild berry bushes that grow right up to the tree line. That's a pond with water lilies on the right of the trees. Beautiful.

Got back in time for a beautiful Paso Robles sunset.

Below is a picture of Dale, I and Susan Ibbetson, another former high school friend who came and visited us this weekend. She's wonderful and really enjoyed the quiet of our humble commode. She lives in Newport Beach and been an Orange County girl for many years. After her divorce she went back to school at 35 and played basketball for Santa Ana College, even becoming the Co-Captain her 2nd year! She's over 6', which really bugged me in high school. Now that I'm a shrimp, she's really rubbing it in. Very nicely.

So here's the scoop on my physical situation, for those who are still awake...
My body's not liking the buildup of the chemo in my system, so it's affecting my red & white blood cells, kidney & liver functions, neuropothy, symptoms, etc. They're trying to figure out what to do about it. Can't stop the chemo 'cus the cancer will come back. Cutting back on it some won't help the symptoms. My monthly infusion of Zometa has been changed to every other month, but other than that, it's "We'll just keep watching it until it becomes serious." GOOD NEWS: Physically I have been doing well. I even graduated from physical therapy and will be working out at the gym now to keep me from blimping out again. Thanks to all of the staff at San Luis Sports Therapy in Paso Robles, especially Dr. Jennifer Seay (pronounced 'see') and of course my own Candice Joy Richards.

Thanks for all of your continuing love and support. As you can see by the pictures of me I am more upright than I've been in over 2 years. Still fairly weak when it comes to stamina, but my frame is stronger. Actually, my Dr. wants me to lose 10 lbs. Ouch.

Every Visit An Adventure

2011-07-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

This wonderful young lady is Cheryl. She is the clinic coordinator. She is the one who keeps the clinic running smoothly from 8 to 6. She loves me and gives me special treatment. I learned the secret of being treated like a king. I bring them goodies every time I come. This time was fresh baked tollhouse chocolate chip cookies. Brownies. Pumpkin pies. Assorted Christmas cookies. Almond cookies from China Town. It's like Martha Stewart always says, Never go to an oncology/ hematology clinic empty handed. I never wait long for vitals or for labs. I rarely wait for the Doc. I always get the room with the recliner. I'm not the only one who thinks food is good. All of the nurses and front desk staff do everything possible to make my stay a lovely experience.

These are the 7 vials of blood that they take through my port ev4ry time I come to do all of my blood work. The report covers 48 different tests. The good news, I'm still cancer free nearly 16 months after my stem cell transplant. The bad news, I will be taking the daily chemo pills for another 10 months, "at least", instead of 4 months, and my neuropothy is getting worse due to the buildup of the chemo in my system. I have very poor feeling in my fingers, hands and feet. My chemo brain, which was compromised long before this as everyone knows, has gotten worse. I still drool really well though. My metabolism has caught up with me too. After months of not retaining much food, I now have to loose about 10 pounds! Oh my. Whoda thunk it. Then, after, I was supposed to visit with one of my early UCSF experience doctors who is now working on a cure for my cancer, but he had to go to the other UCSF hospital at Mission Bay for a research meeting. So I had a few 2 1/2 hours to kill. From my hospital room I would look at Golden Gate Park. Tour #1. The west end. Quickly

The fantastic Conservatory of Flowers. The grounds around it are almost as impressive as the inside displays.

This very impressive monument on the left was honoring Francis Scott Key, who wrote the Star Spangled Banner. In the background is the de Young Museum of Art. They were having a Picasso showing. I didn't have that much time. but I made it up to the 9th level and observation deck. For some pictures.

View from the de Young Museum at the California Academy of Sciences. To the left the Francis Scott Key memorial. At the top middle of the picture is my alma matter, UCSF Medical Center, Long and Moffett Hospitals. My rooms were on the 11th and 14th floors, with a view of the park and the Golden Gate Bridge. I REALLY like this view better.

This is the view from the de Young to the north-east. You see the town and buildings of San Francisco, with the hills in the distant background being on the far side of the bay. If you've never been around San Francisco, take a very small and narrow car with good brakes. I have found no level spot in the whole town.

I will now regale you with photos of the Japenese Garden, which I found very interesting, and in fact, relaxing.

This is the "Peace Lantern". I didn't realize that the US and Japan didn't sign a peace treaty until 1951. This 9,000 lb. solid brass peace lantern was presented to the people of the United States by the Consul General for Japan in San Francisco on January 9, 1953. It was from the 'children of Japan. In hope of peace.'

Everywhere you look were wonderful rock landscapes, bonsai gardens, streams & waterfalls. Picturesque. I won't bore you with any more pictures, but I spent quite a bit of time walking around here. Feng Shuy

.Stow Lake is a favorite of the locals. They have paddle boats and row boats available to rent. People bring their own kayaks and canoes. It's pretty big. The gazebo-ee thing on the left is a Chinese building. The waterfall is a big draw for the tourists, as you can hike to the top of it. If you love green water, this is for you.
As I needed to be heading back I saw the Shakespeare Garden on the map and thought to myself, 'To go, or not to go. That is the question." But because I have chemo brain, I forgot the question and just walked to it.

A quiet little park within the park. Several students just lying on the ground studying. Other people just sitting and thinking. No computers, ipods, cell phones etc. were observed, or heard, here. This park is a cool place.

Then back for a quick visit with Dr. Burch's office to present a report from my physical therapist, and a chat about my lack of progress with the injections in my back in preparation for the anticipated oblation, and an authorization to play tennis IF I didn't do something stupid (moi?) and hurt myself. I assured him that I hadn't with the bicycle riding and the golf so far...so he said go ahead and try it. Report in the near future.

Then the highlight of the trip. A friend from Paso, John Adams, "knows a guy who knows a guy that can get us tickets to the Giants games. The next day was my physical therapist's birthday, but she had to work all day, so I was able to get us some tickets to the Giants - Dodger game that night. She's a big Dodgers fan. I am a big fan of goofing off. So it was a fit. She and my daughter Candice, who is her aide and is now a certified trainer (health fitness specialist), got off work in Paso at 2pm and headed north.

Dr. Jennifer Seay (pronounced 'see') is in the Dodger cap. Neither of the two guys are my daughter Candice. As usual, I have my mouth open, just this time I hadn't put my foot in it. Yet. Wait a minute. Who's the big goofy looking guy with the Provo T-shirt on? Yep, it's my youngest brother, Brian, who just happened to be in SF for work conference and was flying home the next morning. We all converged and had a great time.

Aren't them guys about the brightest lookin' guys you've ever seen? The Dodger fans weren't very bright either. Their 'Go Dodgers' sign was upside down. Dodgers lost 5 to 3. Got home at 1:35 am. So there you have it. The update that both of you have been waiting for. Thank you for your love and prayers. I still pray at least once a day for all of you too.

UTAH IN THE SPRINGTIME! (End of May - early June)

2011-07-03T22:24:00.000-07:00

Dale, Hillary & I were able to make a trip to Utah to see some family and friends, and what a wonderful trip it was! I shall now regale you with a pictorial recollection of events and relations:

The primary reason for going was to visit with mom again. She's been having a very difficult time with her back & sciatica, but we were able to make the short trip to visit dad's grave and clean up the plot and headstone. Mom's a stickler about weeds and grass on dad's plot. Her back's no good, but her eyesight is like a hawks! She could see weed sprouts UNDER the grass. It was wonderful to visit dad's grave and reminisce. Anyone that knew him heard the stories of his amazing childhood and life. It's been over 5 yrs. since he passed away. He will always be in our hearts and conversations. By the way, that's Dale hiding behind Grandma. That's the closest we got to getting a picture of her during the trip. She doesn't mind.

We love his headstone. He grew up in a small coal mining town in central Utah. We used to visit it when we were young. My Grandma & Grandpa R lived there many years after it was closed down, and we LOVED to visit there. Grandpa's stories were so much fun to hear. I think it was my oldest brother Mark's idea to get one of the stones that everything in Spring Canyon was made from and have it engraved. What a great and personal tribute to the man who loved rocks. Do you know that he wanted to name me Rock? Me, Rock Richards! They just would have called me swirly Richards. Thanks mom for not letting that happen.

I know all of you are sick of looking at me, but I wanted you to get a good look at my little cancer buddy Spencer and my stunningly gorgeous niece Becky. I won't go into much detail, but we all went through cancer at about the same time. Spencer, just before his 8th birthday, found out that he had a rhadomyosarcoma tumor in his face. This giant of a hero went through 54 weeks of chemo and radiation at the Salt Lake Primary Children's Hospital, and was determined to be cancer free just before our visit. Becky was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma about 1 1/2 yrs. ago. She went through many months of treatment/chemo at the Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake, and, other than a different hair color, looks just like her old self. I however, am still working on the hump on my back. 3 generations of cancer survivors. If you're interested in learning more about their experiences, Spencer's blog is "The Journey of A Superhero", and Becky's is "Don't Panic Roger! I Have A Plan". When Grandma R's mother asked Grandpa R's mother at the wedding "Are there any morons or idiots in the family?" Great Grandma R's response was, "No, but we're damn mean!" Needless to say, that was the last words spoken between those two. But besides being mean, apparently we're also pretty tough. We're smiling.

This was taken at Spencer's home. That's his little sister, Isabelle, or just Belle. We're learning about the universe. A day or so earlier I took them to Der Wienerschnitzel because I was having a hankering for a corn dog. It was a very interesting ride. Spencer looks up at me and asked: "Did you throw-up a lot from the chemo like I did?" Here's an 8 year old taking about cancer and treatments like an adult. It was heartbreaking, but also you have to wonder what great things he's going to do in his lifetime. The conversation turned to what foods we missed while sick, and we both agreed that bacon was really high on that list.

When I told him that we could get bacon wrapped hot dogs, his eyes got as big as my stomach. He then took it up a notch, "What about a chili dog?", he asked. My response was, "What about a bacon wrapped chili cheese dog?" So here's what happened: Spencer, Belle (little tiny Belle) and I all ate a bacon wrapped chili cheese dog, a corn dog, and a soda, EACH! Belle was done before Spencer. The owner of the establishment had overheard some of our conversation and invited the kids up to the counter after their meal. He gave them a huge ice cream cone, which of course they finished as well. I got one too. We then went home a decided to take a walk to try and wear off some of our lunch. We had a wonderful time. There are some pictures on Spencer's blog, but I don't know how to get them onto mine. Spence, Belle & I held hands and strolled along. We were joined by Dale, Hillary, Spencer & Belle's mom Holly, their little bro. Gavin, my niece Laura that lives with her husband Caleb and her daughter Evelyn at Grandma R's house. It was a beautiful day with blue sky & white puffy clouds.

Speaking of Evelyn, she is so cute, but apparently she hasn't had much experience with nuclear zerberts (sp?), so uncle Kevin volunteered to administer the training. As you can see by the picture, she was screaming in agony. I just kept reminding her that it was for her own good and would make the zerberts of life so much more bearable after living through the experience. We then spent the next hour or so playing "Over". Where she lays on my lap with her head over my knees, then on 3, she gets flipped 'over' onto her feet on the floor. Great fun. It wore me out. She not so much.

Of course what would Hillary's picture collection be without one of her famous 'pouty model face' pictures. This time with Belle. I think Belle's got a great future. When we were on our walk and her mom Holly would ask Belle to stop for a second so she could get a picture, Belle would pose like you would not believe. It was so funny to watch. Spencer, on the other hand, had to be physically threatened before he would stop for a picture. All of the kids LOVE Hillary. She is so much fun and spends a lot of time with each one while we're there. She's also amazingly good with adults. For those that may not know, Hillary's still in Orange County and having way too much fun. She keeps saying she's gonna get a job, but just hasn't gotten around to it yet. She does have a lot of new friends and better yet, doesn't ask for any money. You'd have to ask Holly about Belle, but I bet she asks for money all the time.

The dashingly handsome young man is my nephew, Mason. My brother Jeff & Mandy's youngest. He works at the world famous Purple Turtle in Pleasant Grove. We saw him a couple of times during the week. One night I asked mom if there was anything she wanted for dinner. She thought for a minute and responded, "Onion rings and a coconut cream pie tornado from the Purple Turtle". I asked if she wanted any food to go with that, but she assured me that she did not, so off I went. Mason was doing fries and rings that night, so of course they were perfecto. Well, there it is. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of the whole clan that got together just after we got there. I'm not sure of the count, but I think it was about 29 of us. Thanks to my family who make it so fun when we come. See ya in a few months.

Engaged in a Good Cause

2011-06-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

This was my first year being involved with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life here in Paso. My son Darrell and a couple of young ladies from our Ward, Tara and Rebecca Pechon, made up my 'team'. The financial support came from a client who wanted her estate to go to 3 different charities, Am. Cancer Society, Am. Diabetes Assn, and the Alzheimer Assn, for awareness and research. One for each of her husbands and her son that predeceased her. I'm wearing my purple survivors shirt. Fortunately there were many of us. Several were multiple survivors too. One couple that I walked with were particularly inspiring. He had just been deemed cancer free and in remission about a month ago, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 weeks ago. Wow.


There were more people there than I expected. Opening ceremony was at 9am Sat. Closing was at 9 am Sun. Though I couldn't stay, many stayed all day and all night. Many groups had booths with various items to sell to raise money, and others just had lemonade or cookies or other treats for those that participated. On Sat. morning, before the opening ceremony, they had a breakfast for the survivors. All of the food donated. For dinner Sat. night, a chicken bbq with beans, bread and various drinks for any and all participants. Anyone who walked, or even raised a dollar, was welcome to eat and visit. I believe they fed about 2k meals, according to the bbq crew, though around 4k participated throughout the 24 hrs. It was a beautiful day and setting. There were about 250 for the 1st lap, which as you can see, is all purple survivor shirts. I'm in the back, with the purple shirt. There were several children in the group, which reminded me of my 9 yr. old great nephew Spencer, who just got the all clear from his rhabdomyosarcoma. There were a few young adult that reminded me of my niece Becky, who recently got the all clear on her non-Hodgkins lymphoma. It was a wonderful experience to see so many in the community involved in this cause. It also gave me a opportunity to personally thank many people in the community that donated to my cause and sent many cards, notes, and well wishes my way. I was too tired to stay for the luminaria lighting at 8. They are lit to light the way around the track for those that walk at night. They are dedicated to those that have not been as fortunate as those in the purple shirts. I dedicated my walk, and luminaria, to my father, nephew Steven, friends Ron Hogeland, Frank Connolly, and Roger Poulton, and my doctors who continue to care, and to all of you, whose prayers and faith have brought me another birthday and opportunity to serve God's children.

MY SPINE IS IN THEIR HANDS & GOODBYE VIETNAMESE BEAUTY

2011-05-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

I had to apologize to the staff and doctors last

Thursday and Friday, who performed the kyphoplasty on 3 of my 7 collapsed vertebra, have monitored my progress with my physical therapy, performed many x-rays, etc. I had talked about them, but not put their pictures on the blog. Here they are in all their glory. I will let you guess which one of them was pleased with the proposition, and which 2 weren't. This lovely and kind lady is Marilyn. She runs the office, schedules surgeries, schedules his many professional presentations he is asked to make around the country, schedules x-rays, C-spans and MRIs, is the greeter and works just for Dr. Shane Burch, my orthopedic surgeon. She also coordinates my appointments with Dr. Wolf's office, so that I can do everything that each of them want, without ruining the schedule of the other. Wonderful wonder woman. She is just a joy to deal with. When was the last time your doctor's office asked, "When would it be convenient for you, and what other doctors are you seeing so that I can make sure it all works." She used to work with Dr. Wolf's office. Less stress here.

This cute young doctor, yes she is a full fledged Dr, is Samantha Piper. She is Dr. Burch's minion and wants to be a nationally recognized leader in cutting edge (a little play on words there in case you missed it) spinal surgery like he is. She spent a few minutes with me getting all of the latest info. on my condition, reviewing the survey of information that they have me put into the computer each visit, and doing some physical tests. She is a little less peeved than Marilyn about having her picture taken, and a little better of a sport about it. She has eyes and uses them during surgery

This dashingly handsome man is none other than THE Dr. Shane Burch, MD, and a lot of other letters after that. Today he was in particularly good form. He had a recent haircut, had shaved (1st time I had seen him without his 2-3 day growth), and had on a pink shirt with a small pattern and a pink and purple checked tie. He looked like a GC model and has a great bedside manner to boot. He is an avid outdoorsman and he hopes to get me backpacking again. We talked backpacking. He was surprised at all the places I'd been. He lives in Marin, about 35 miles from the hospital over the Golden Gate bridge. Marilyn told me that when the weather is willing (not raining), he rides his bicycle to and from work. Even when he has 7am surgeries. He smiles a lot, yet has no bugs in his teeth that I could see.
His report to me was: 1) He was very pleased with the progress that physical therapy has made. I didn't have to get a bone density scan because you could see in the comparison X-rays of when I had my surgery on November 20, 2009 and now, that my vertebra are much stronger and denser. He also showed me and was very pleased that my spine is much straighter than it was when I started the physical therapy. He also gave me a referral to receive injections in the area of my T-9 through L-2 vertebra, to verify his belief that it is the facets on the back of my vertebra that are rubbing and causing my spinal pain. If the injections bring some relief, then we know. Then, he will authorize me getting radio frequency oblation treatments on the nerves in those areas. Basically, they obliterate the nerves and kill them, which in turn kills the pain. I will still have the back problems from the collapsed vertebra, but, I won't have the pain associated with it. THEN, I should be able to return to some short term (3-4 day) backpack trips and other physical activities. Not, however, full contact b-ball or mud football at Thanksgiving. I'll take what he can give me. Like Danny Glover used to say, "I'm getting too old for this stuff", anyway.

I want you all to know that this is the first successful one-armed picture I have taken with the camera. I made this picture large for 2 reasons. First, I wanted you to get the true size comparison of the Vietnamese beauty in the middle. She wears 3" platform shoes so she can get to 5'! This is Thuy (pronounced T-wee, said quickly). She is, or was, Dr. Wolf's nurse practitioner. Friday was her last day. She is leaving us to follow her boyfriend who is in Boston. They've been separated for a year. I've been telling her that until he makes a bona fide marriage proposal, don't do it. Of course that was for purely selfish reasons. She is wonderful. We will miss her. Thank you Thuy for all of your kindness and care. We wish you the best in Boston.
The other reason was to show you what an iron man Dr. Wolf is. Does he look to you like he just got back at midnight from a 5 day world-wide symposium in Paris on multiple myeloma, of which he was one of the keynote speakers. No jet lag for him. He hasn't hired a replacement for Thuy yet because he's hoping she'll get to Boston and either break up with her boyfriend or hate the Boston summers and return. I'll keep you posted. I have an inquiring mind. I want to know.
To get you caught up in my saga,as I have been remiss in being a faithful blogger: I have had 3 lab reports over the last 2 months which had indicated a possible return of my cancer. My local oncologist and Dr. Wolf weren't too worried, and I just didn't feel like it was back either. But after the 3rd report came back with the same result, they ordered a bone marrow biopsy just to be sure. So last Monday Dr. Malone did it. It really doesn't hurt too much. The worst part is after he has pushed the needle through the hip bone and begins to such the bone marrow into the needle. That was uncomfortable. He did notice that getting through the bone was much harder than than when he did it for the 100 day bone marrow biopsy after the stem cell transplant, which he did in the beginning of June of '10. That was a good sign. Then he gets a core sample. That one is about 1/8th of an inch across and goes through the bone, through the marrow, and through the other side of the bone about 1/2 inch or so, so that the marrow is intact between the 2 layers of bone. That one didn't hurt as much initially, but has been more painful as I sat, drove to SF for my appointment, walked, etc. The good news is...I am still cancer free. Now they just want to figure out why the misleading readings. Probably the liver or kidneys. We'll work on that next. Also, he shared that some countries around the world that do not have as involved a pre-distribution screening (FDA) process have been using the Revlamid maintenance chemo treatments for nearly 3 years, instead of only 2 years in the US. They reported that a significant number of patients (no percentage shared) that stayed on the Revlamid for 2 years or more have ended up getting other forms of cancer, particularly liver and kidney cancer. Therefore, he will stop my daily Revlamid treatments after 18 months. May 28th will be 1 year of it. He may stop me sooner, if he gets more info. that concerns him. However, he said that he still feels that if not for the Revlamid, my cancer would have returned by now. And that would be bad.
So the only other thing to report is that I did get pneumonia for the 3rd time since the first of the year. On antibiotics. They're working. Still coughing up stuff, but feeling much better.
Here's something that just blew me away. At the end of this month, it will be 21 months from the time I was first diagnosed with the IgM multiple myeloma, and 14 months since my stem cell transplant. This past weekend, 1 year ago, was the first time that I was able to go outside for something other than a doctor's appointment. Darrell and Candice took me to the annual 'Wings and Wheels' show at our local Warbirds Museum. They have a fantastic display of military equipment, vehicles and planes dating back to WWI and going to the present. They also had about 400 classic cars, boats and other types of vehicles on display. The honored guest was none other than Parnelli Jones. I lasted about 30 minutes. I wore my depends (TMI?) and collapsed on the couch at home with a big smile on my face. At times it all seems like it was an eternity ago. Other times, like yesterday. What I will never forget, or ever stop thinking about, is how much all of you helped me through it with your prayers and love. Our High Council speaker today spoke of how praying with a unity of purpose can bring great blessings and miracles. I wanted to stand up and say, "Bro. Bitter, you're preaching to the choir. I'm here because of their prayers on my behalf". Thank you all. I thank my Heavenly Father for you every day, and ask Him to bless you as you blessed me. I love you all for what you've given me. My life back.

DOME, LAMB, SCARY LABS, RED EYE and the POODLE DIED

2011-04-03T21:43:00.000-07:00


I've seen some pretty magnificent buildings in my life. Cathedrals, churches and castles in Europe are everywhere. These 3 pictures are of the fabulous city hall for San Francisco. I have more, but I won't bore you. All rebuilt after the earthquake and fire of 1906, it's marble floors, stairs and walls are exquisite. These photos are of just the main hall and dome. The dome, by the way, is the 3rd largest dome in the world. If you go to SF, you have to see it!

This very cute young lady is the reason why I was going to the City Hall building anyway. This is Nancy Gudino. She is a friend from the Santa Barbara County Recorder's office. She moved to SF to go to law school. I know. I know. I tried to talk to her, but she could be a great one. She tried to get hired at several law offices for 'practical experience'. She moved not having a job. At our last meeting I suggested, 'You could always try the recorder's office.' After 2 weeks of rejections she decided to try just that. She walked in, let them know she had 4 years experience, started the next day, and by the time I saw her a month later, she was in charge of getting the office in order for their upcoming audit. She had me meet her at city hall so she could show it off, then took me to great mediteranean restaurant just a block away. Her fiancee is an investigator for a federal agency. If I told you which one, he'd have to kill me, so I won't.

So while I'm driving up to SF, my eye started bugging me. 'Oh great, allergies' I thought. I pulled over and took out my contact. By the time I met with the nurse prior to my meeting with Dr. Wolf, she looked at me and shuddered. "How long has your eye been like that?" 'Like what?' She said, "Look in the mirror." I shuddered. My eye was all red and bloodshot and full of gunkie goop. Long story long, bacterial eye infection, which spread to my other eye by the next day. Now go back and look at the previous picture of me and Nancy. It doesn't look bad there. That was just 2 hours before I saw the doctor. He gave me a prescription for antibiotic eye drops. Cleared both of them up in 5 days. Funny thing, the next morning after my appointment, I tried to open my eyes, but they wouldn't. All of the goop had gone crusty on me and glued my eyelids shut. I had to wander into the bathroom and run warm water on them to ungunkify them so I could open them. Fortunately, that was only for 2 days until the antibiotic started to work.

I believe that I had previously mentioned that during my previous visit Dr. Wolf had stated that he'd consider taking me off the daily chemo after a year (June) if my 'markers' remained good. I started off my questions with, 'So how are my markers?' "There's some possible problems. Your IgG level is high. Your kidney function is diminished and your liver numbers are 4 times high normal range. I could just be an anomaly due to your 2 bouts with pneumonia and other infections since I last saw you, but we'll watch it closely over the next month." Well that wasn't what I wanted to hear. Then he sent me to get another round of immunizations. 8 shots. Oh boy. Another long story long, I got more blood tests 2 weeks later and met with my local Dr. Still alarmingly high. Not worse, but not better. Cause for concern, but not panic yet. I felt OK. "Let's do it again in 2 more weeks, BUT, if you feel any new or different pains call me, then Dr. Wolf, then head to the ER." No ER visits. Blood test in 2 weeks. Meet with Dr. Malone. He looks at the test numbers. Reviews them again. "These are the best numbers you've ever had. Everything's normal. Better than normal. What did you do?" I told him I had a visit with Dr. Sandy Tulanian, my chiropractor/nutritionist. "Apparently it worked." Thanks Dr. Sandy. I don't think it was the fact that my friend Greg Fisher got us tickets to the Sweet 16 games at the Anaheim arena, but maybe that was it. The chinese I had there wasn't too bad. Just in case it was, or at least contributed, thanks Greg for a fantasticaly wonderful experience.

You can see in this picture that my eye is still red, swollen and gunkie, but that's not the point of it. Look again... THE POODLE'S DEAD! I walked in to get a hair cut with still curly hair. I said, 'Cut it short', which she did. And my hair didn't curl back up when she was done! It was a little tentative, as it couldn't really figure out if it was supposed to be curly or straight, but it was mostly straight. Today, it's all straight in the front and a little wavy in the back. Darrell noticed that the pre-chemo color was coming back. I was the "pewter poodle". Now it's coming in dishwater blond again. Weird, but would you expect anything else?

So now that my pneumonia(s), bacterial eye infections, inner ear infections, sinus infections and inflamed eustacian tubes are no longer an issue, I can get back to physical therapy (after a 3 month lay off), walking and some other forms of exercise which shall remain nameless because Dale hates golf, and even an increase of hours working (which Dale likes).

The miracles continue to happen, thanks to your continued prayers and good thoughts on my behalf, as well as the love of my Heavenly Father, His son Jesus Christ, and blessings. every day I thank my Heavenly Father for you and ask Him to bless you, as He has blessed me. Just not with all of the cancer stuff and chemo etc. Just bless you with what you need.

HAPPY 1st 2nd BIRTHDAY!

2011-03-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

This one will really be quick. Yesterday was the really, actual, bonfide 1yr anniversary of my stem cell transplant at UCSF, which gave me my life back after cancer. My 2nd birthday. It was also the day that I had my monthly visit to my local (SLO) oncologist for my Zometa infusion and check of labs. Thanks to Rod Blackner and his Paso Robles Culinary Academy cohorts for baking me a cake to take with me. Chocolate cake with vanilla filing. It was great, and everyone at the oncology center appreciated the moral victory that the day represented. All of the many nurses that have treated and "infused" me over the past year and a half were there, especially the 2 who were in Paso when Michael Blackwell, then Dr. Bonis saved my life. Valerie and Kristen, a special thank you. Kristen is leaving the cancer bus. to work for an OBGYN in Templeton. Friday is her last day, so it was doubly nice to be able to see her, thank her, and say my good byes. For all of the miracles in my treatments, I'm guess the need for an OBGYN in the future for me is still pretty slim. It was wonderful to go back home and climb into bed all nauseated from the infusion and nightly chemo. I laid there just thanking the Lord for my nausea and body pains. It reminds me every night that I am alive, and beating the cancer that tried to take me. If you're interested, go back a year and review the miracles that surrounded my surviving the bone marrow and stem cell transplant, or the chemo that preceded them anyway. Yesterday, one of the other patients receiving an infusion said that I was just "beaming and glowing". I told her, and the 5 other patients receiving infusions in our treatment room, that thanks to God, my brother Jesus Christ, fantastic doctors, nurses, medicine and science, I was alive to beam. I gave her my telephone number and told her to call me if she wanted to hear about how she could be beaming by her next treatment. Terri, my nurse, encouraged her to call. She said, "He always leaves here having made somebody feel better about their chances and recovery." I can't help it. It's a message that needs to be shared. Have I told you about my friend, Dennis Lozano and my niece, Becky and great-nephew Spencer? Now those are stories...

Mr. Sicky

2011-02-25T19:41:00.001-08:00

This will be short. I'm now on my 3rd bout with pneumonia in 2 months! My lungs have been a weak point since childhood, allowing colds to become bronchitis, then pneumonia, rather quickly. Unfortunately, the z-pak the Dr gave me didn't seem to phase it this 3rd time. Of course my situation worsened last Sunday evening, while we had my niece, nephew and their 4 daughters visiting for the long weekend. Dale had gotten the flu the day before they came, so she stayed hidden away in her room for the entire weekend. Sorry Kim, Nick, Courtney, Jocelyn, Lauren and Tess. Thank you Hillary for carrying the load. So Dr Malone is in Death Valley for a 200 mile bike race, but thank heaven for Dr Lewis who was on call. All the local pharmacies were closed. The 24 hr Walgreen's in Atascadero (30 mins away) was closed because the pharmacist was out sick! Dr Lewis was willing to meet someone at his office in San Luis after his family gathering, so poor Darrell had to drive the 50 miles to meet him around 9 pm to get me the new and improved drug, Cipro. Thanks Darrell.

The worst part of it was that I was having to cough so often and hard that it was causing terrible spasms in my sides, ribs, abdomen, lower back and chest. Usually the spasms would be in one or two spots, and would go away after a minute or two. A couple of times they all went spastic on me, for several minutes. Reminded me of the good ol' days of the spasms due to my collapsed vertebra, and probably just about as painful. Thank heaven its improved to just 1 or 2 areas, 3 or 4 times a day.

The good news. I've lost 8 pounds so far. The bad news. Tonight we were supposed to go watch our friends Liz Adams and her daughter Bailey, Carrie Ham and her daughter Macey, perform in a local production of Annie. It's the last weekend too, so we're out of luck. Tomorrow was supposed to be an extra special day. One of the young ladies that attended our Muppet movie night, Rebecca Pechon, had asked me to baptize her on her birthday in May. I told her that I thought that was too long of a wait. 2 weeks ago she asked me if I would do it on my birthday, to make it special for both of us. What a sweetie. Now, I'm too ill. I spoke with her yesterday and told her I couldn't do it. I so proud that she's going ahead with it and, giving a young man in our Ward, Cody Murdock, who recently received his mission call to the El Salvador San Salvador Mission, the opportunity to perform the baptism. Way to go Becca! Tomorrow was also supposed to be a joint birthday party for me and the King tripletts. I know, I know. Stay home. Get your rest, 'cus if you don't have your health, you don't have anything.

Well, so much for the short post. Hopefully I'll have some good news after my March 2nd appointment with my local oncologist (which, by the way, IS the 1 yr anniversary of my stem cell transplant & "2nd birthday"), followed by my visit to UCSF with Drs Wolf and Burch on the 8th. At least I'm way ahead of where I was a year ago, and for that I'm truly grateful. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. We love you guys.

Good News. Better News. Best News

2011-01-16T21:29:00.000-08:00


Gate to Chinatown

Looking for Lunch

Not wanting to waste a trip to SF on just medical stuff, I went early and headed to Chinatown. I hadn't been there since one of my scout trips to stay overnight on the WWII submarine the USS Pampanino many years ago. Great fun. Great food! Then off to UCSF for the afternoon.


Right across from where I parked and 1 block to Chinatown gate, so in I go!

3 rooms of fascinating sculptures in brass, copper and paper. Here's a few.

This lovely lady is Ilana Hettena, the coordinator of the pulmonary and mobility studies. She and a co-worker, Barbara, also administer some of the tests. In November, they had me do a test that measures spinal & body rotation. They had me do one (of many) test(s) but weren't sure if they were doing it right, so they asked Dr. Wolf to demonstrate. I did better than he did. It made me feel pretty good, until I tried to golf this week. Whoa baby. I sucked. But it was fun.

Another round of childhood immunizations. They send in the nicest and prettiest nurses, like Stephanie here, like it's supposed to make you feel better about being shot 5 times. This time it was a mixture of childhood and adult versions of the immunizations, which means they hurt more and make you sicker. Next time (March), I also get more shots. Then a 6 month break, then another 6 month break. I did get some good news from Dr. Wolf. He said that my markers for my recovery from the cancer were all good, and, even better, very consistent in their improvement. He said that if those markers continue to improve, he would consider taking me off of the daily chemo routine after 1 year in the program instead of the 2 years he originally anticipated and set me up for. The year will be up at the first of June. I have 6 more blood tests between now and then, so keep praying that my improvement will continue. I would REALLY love to get off of the Revlimid. The side effects have been worsening the past couple of months. 6 more months is very doable. 18 more months is less ... exciting. As I was leaving Dr. Wolf's office he gave me a hug. I couldn't tell if it was because he was as excited about the good news, or whether it was because I brought him mushroom chicken and steamed rice from Chinatown for lunch. I didn't ask. Whenever we meet with him he's usually eating chips or cheetos and drinking a coke, because that's all he says he has time for. Do as I say, not as I do? Well, that's the latest news and the gossip from the land of the midnight son of a gun. Thanks for your continued support and good wishes. We will continue to love and appreciate you forever.

Not So Special Olympics

2011-01-14T18:21:00.000-08:00

Dan sent me THIS. I don't know why, but as you can see, the physical therapy is working!

I KNOW YOU MEAN WELL

2011-01-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

As the New Year celebration approached everyone I talked to would say something like, "I hope the New Year is a lot better than the old one!" To some I'd just let it go. To others I'd take the time to explain, like all of you.

I don't know how next year could be better than last year. I have never felt and received so much love from my Heavenly Father through the priesthood blessings and strength given to my soul and body. I have never felt so close to the Savior and felt and received so much love through His atonement that removed my pain. Never has He been so involved as an intermediary between Heavenly Father and me taking all of the thousands of prayers to Him and lovingly returning with answers, or directing the activities of angels on behalf of me and my family. Never have I felt Him personally closer to me. I have never felt so close to the Holy Ghost and received so much peace and comfort to my soul. Never has He been so active on my behalf inspiring all of my care providers with light and knowledge when things "were not working with the regular protocols." Never have I felt so much love from all of those who prayed, fasted, financially supported, did service, visited, brought cookies, sent cards of encouragement and love, made hotel arrangements, and administered blessings and the sacrament, to me. Never have I felt so much love and gratitude to so many people who were always friends, but now I know are truly family. Never have I had in my heart the desire to do unto others as has been done unto me. To share the Savior's love. It was not a bad year. It was not a horrible year. It was a wonderful, blessed, miraculous, loving, peaceful year.

I now realize that I've had years like that before, just not to the extent of last year. I just didn't notice. I didn't appreciate it. Hopefully, you will look back and look around you and see what I missed all those years. I wish you all your best New Year ever. I think I just had mine, but it doesn't mean that 2011 can't be great too. With much love for you all. Kevin

What We Did Last Night (This Morning)

2010-12-30T19:10:00.000-08:00

Last night we, me, Dale and Hillary, arrived at the ER at French hospital in San Luis Obispo around 10:30. I started with Dr. Griffith, then he introduced me to his replacement. He said, "How comfortable are you with having a doctor with the name Slaughter?" I replied, "As long as he's not my surgeon, I'm OK with it." "Good, because he's going to take it from here." And Dr. Clinton Slaughter it was. He was fine. There was an orthopedic surgeon in LA by the name of Bonecruncher. No lie. That one I would have worried about.

So on Tues. nite I felt pain in my upper left chest. I thought it was a muscle pull from physical therapy or moving an entertainment center that I brought home for Grammy. But I really didn't load, or unload it. Weird. Lousy nite's sleep due to pain. Did restrictive PT in the morning, but they still sent me home early. They could tell I was 'off', which isn't easy to do for most people. So I'm upstairs watching a movie when I had to cough up some phlegm (yes, that's the way you spell it). It had bright red blood in it. I called my local oncologist, who just happened to be on call, and he said I should go to the ER. The chemo I take daily, plus the once a month infusion of Zometa, both have warnings about blood clots. He asked me questions about whether I had a cough the past few days, I had been short of breath, had a fever, gurgling with my breathing, had a sinus of chest infection lately, all of which was NO. More common for blood in phlegm to be from pneumonia than blood clot, but it happens. I love the nurses at the closest hospital, Twin Cities, but have little confidence in the doctors. That's for another time. Dr. Malone recommended French hospital in San Luis Obispo, because they specialize in heart and pulmonary traumas in the ER and the hospital in general. So it's a 45 minute trip instead of a 20 minute one.

The nurses and doctors asked the same questions and 20 more. I got an x-ray and CT scan. Ta da. No clot. Dr. Malone was right on, even though I didn't have any symptoms, pneumonia. Bad enough that I was coughing up blood, with quite a bit of fluid built up in and around the lungs. BUT WAIT, there's more. Dr. Slaughter also reported that I had pleurisy. That can't be, I'm only married to one woman. That's what was causing my pain. Let me 'splain, no, let me sum up: Pleurisy is the inflamation of the lining of the lung's outer wall and the lung's cavity wall. Normally, they just glide across each other as we breathe and move. No pain. Fluid from my pneumonia, icky yucky infected fluid, had gotten between those linings, caused inflamation, and thus pain. So the moral of the story is, a person on chemo and with a "compromised immune system" can get pneumonia without even knowing it! Hooray. Another thing I can do that you can't! So it's a Z pak for me. 5-10 days to knock out the pneumonia, with an additional 5-10 days to get rid of the chest pain from pleurisy. Sure glad it wasn't anything serious.

Here's the point. I was released by Dr. Burch, the orthopedist, to chip & putt a week ago Tues. So far it's rained almost every day, and I've been able to go once, for about 45 minutes before it started sprinkling. Now this. Apparently, Dale's prayers are stronger than mine.

So I'm fine and will be taking it easy for the New Year holiday. No roller disco. No limbo. I hope your new year will be your best ever. Thanks for all of your continuing love and support. Kevin

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!

2010-12-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

First off, we hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas season, and we hope that the New Year is your best ever. It was wonderful to be home with my family, and able to really enjoy it with relatively good health. This year I was able to get the Christmas lights up, walk most of the annual Paso Robles Vine Street Victorian walk, participate in a men's chorus for the church Christmas program, and BBQ the steaks for our traditional Richards family Christmas eve dinner. Those are just the highlights. Don't get me wrong, last year was unforgettable as well, thanks to the Brett and Betsy King family. Last year Brett got us into Hearst Castle, one of our favorite places in the whole world, for a private tour. I did it mostly in my wheel chair, but it was a tender mercy, if not a down right miracle. A lot has changed since then. The Kings, who already had twins Carolyn and Cameron, added the triplets, CONNER, COLTON and CALEB, who are now 10 months old. If you think my story is a miracle, visit the Kings and get to know the triplets.

A week and a half ago I made another trip to SF to visit my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Shane Burch. I was hoping that he would say that I was ready for surgery on my collapsed vertebra, but it wasn't to be. After an hour and a half in the MRI saddle, and his review of the pictures, he has decided to try other, less invasive, procedures before surgery. Basically, the big 3, T9-11, have healed in different degrees and states of alignment. Because they all didn't break at the same time and from a single incident, they are in different states of repair. Also, due to my situation of being mostly bedridden for the early stages of healing, they really haven't healed straight. He believes my pain is primarily from the back part of the vertebra, I think they're called the facets, rubbing on the next vertebra, which is causing inflammation. Physical therapy has helped through strengthening my back muscles to better support my spine. If the pain continues he'll try injections first, then radio frequency oblation (sp?) to deaden the nerves causing the pain. Then surgery, if needed. That's the long of it. The short of it is...that I won't be getting any more of my height back from kyphoplasty.

It was kind of funny, at the end of our appointment when he made the statement, "I want you to resume some normal activities to see how things go." I excitedly asked, 'Does that mean I can play basketball?', "No. Probably never again." 'Volleyball on Thursday nights?' "No." 'Backpacking?' "Not yet." 'Weed whacking?' "Definitely not!" 'Cutting wood?' "No! (a little more perturbed)" 'I have a neighbor that's building a race car. Can I help him?' "Are you kidding me?" 'Nope.' "I don't want you climbing under or bending over a car." 'Golf?' "You can golf, but only chipping and putting for the time being. I want you to do NORMAL activities that normal people do." 'Like what?' "Walking or riding a bike." 'You already said I could do that.' "Well, you can do more of it." 'Thanks Doc.' So at least I went home excited to be able to chip & putt. And it's rained ever since. I guess it's the Lord's way of nicely reminding me to be grateful for what I have, as I know that it could all go away tomorrow. I don't even keep clubs in my car...yet.

One last thing about my SF trip. I had to do an hour or so of "mobility tests" for a study that I am in for my oncologist, Dr. Wolf. I must give huge kudos to my physical therapy team of Jen, her minions of Candice, Melissa, Caroline and almost a PT Andrea (on-DREY-a), who's now back in Nebraska. They were really surprised at my level of physical activity, despite my back. The best part was on one of the tests I had to stand with my back against a wall, my feet fairly close together with my heels touching each other and the wall. I held a staff out at arms length, and slowly twisted my body, including my hips and shoulders, as far to the right and left as possible, and then they measure the results by putting marks on the floor and measuring the degrees of rotation. The 2 assistants to Dr. Wolf for this study, Ilana and Barbara, weren't sure if they were doing it exactly right (I am one of the first to be tested for this new study), so they asked Dr. Wolf to demonstrate. He did it, just as they had me do it, and asked, "How'd Kevin do?" They pointed out his marks on the floor, then pointed to mine. "That's embarrassing", he said. I had better rotation than he did. Thank you San Luis Sports Therapy in Paso Robles. I'm sorry that I didn't get any pictures this time. I forgot the camera. Next visit is Jan 11th. Until then, we hope you have a wonderful life. Check that. We hope you MAKE a wonderful life for you and everyone around you.

Comments, Clarifications & Updates

2010-12-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

No pictures this time, so this should go a lot faster for me, and you. I just want to first comment and make some clarifications on some of the pictures of Dale's previous post about my trip to SF. While on my way to UCSF for an 11 am MRI they called to tell me I got bumped due to an emergency (probably some guy with cancer, the nerve), so I now had an extra 2.5 hrs. before my 1st appointment. It was a beautiful day and SF was supposed to get up to 75 (it actually hit 78! In mid-Nov?) So I decided to head to the GG Bridge. I drove across, then walked half way across it taking many pictures. It was wonderful to stretch my legs a little after the 4 hr. drive. It was very impressive to me, and to the many tourists from around the world moving along with me on the bridge. Fortunately, it was downhill back to the car or I never would have made it.

The picture of me doing the breathing tests just showed one of an hour of different pulmonary tests that were performed. The cute young lady (Emily) in the scrubs in the picture was the same respiratory tech that helped me during my cancer treatments. It was wonderful to see her again. I recognized her, but she remembered my name, though we hadn't seen each other for more than 10 months. That is representative of our experience of how all the care givers were and are at UCSF.
The MRI was re-scheduled for the next morning and, you guessed it, it had to be canceled again. So, as I sat in my hotel room thinking of what I wanted to do, but having learned that it shouldn't require too much walking again, I decided to ride the cable cars down to Fisherman's Wharf. The first miracle was finding a parking space just 1 block from the cable car stop. Again a beautiful warm day. I sat next to a young couple from Germany who were on their honeymoon. There were people and families from France, Italy, India, and even the US on the car. Everyone one else but the German couple were speaking English, which I thought interesting. The German couple were having a conversation making fun of the other tourists and their poor English and the way the others were obviously tourists, etc, and they weren't speaking in low tones either. Any German speakers on our side of the cable car could have understood their conversation, so it was obvious that they felt emboldened by the fact that no one could understand them. When we reached the end of the line,we all got off and began to walk in our different directions. You know what's coming, don't you? I said, in my still pretty good German, "Congratulations on your marriage and I hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon." They just froze and stared at me. I said, putting my pointing finger up to my mouth, "Ich habe nichts gehoert order verstanden." Meaning, "I didn't hear or understand a thing." I smiled. They smiled. And we all went away chuckling to ourselves.
As lunchtime approached, I thought, "What to do for lunch?" There's a lot of great little places to eat along the Wharf. Wait a minute... Why would anyone come all this way, with Ghiradelli Square right there, and not take advantage of it? I remembered that my doctor had encouraged me to continue to gain some more weight. It had been 8 months since my stem cell transplant, and I still had only gained 20 lbs. back. Well, you know me. I ALWAYS follow the Drs. orders. So the picture captioned "Lunch", was lunch. A dark chocolate double hot fudge sundae. I went right from there to my labs, and I figured that I'd better fess up to the Dr. before he read the lab report. So when he came into to see me I blurted out, "I just want you to know up front that I had a double hot fudge sundae at Ghiradelli's before coming here. So if my blood sugar is a little high, you know why." He didn't even hesitate in his response, "Next time you do that, call me. I would have had you bring me one. I had a Coke and potato chips for lunch." And best of all, my blood sugar was not high at all. And we lived happily ever after. Except I never did get the MRI!
After all of my tests and visits I was able to get together with my only UCSF roommate, Dennis Lozano. You may recall in previous posts that he was sent home (to Alaska) to die because he wasn't well enough to have a stem cell transplant. Well, as it is obvious in the pictures, he didn't die. He came back to UCSF and they couldn't figure out why he was still alive. You may also recall that after many conversations about religion and church, and watching/hearing me get priesthood blessings, he asked me to give him a blessing, which I did. He let me know right away that he was attending church every week since returning home. Dr. Wolf has a buddy at the Mayo clinic, so they went there. They couldn't figure out why he's still alive either. So he's now in a study at Stanford, which made it possible for us to get together for a wonderful 3 hour visit and dinner with Marie's sister Joan, brother-in-law Dan, and sister Barbara. Home by 11:30 that night.
Oh yea. The picture of the nurse (Sarah) with the tray of stuff was not for labs. That was a tray of needles containing my childhood and other immunizations. I forget exactly how many there were. I think 8. They all went into my right and left arms and shoulders. The next morning in the shower I remember pulling a stack of little round bandaids off of my arms and shoulders. I should have counted them. They warned me that they could make me have flu like symptoms. One of the great lies, and she said it so convincingly. A few days later I began to feel ill. Then it went to very ill. For 2.5 weeks! Of course it was during the Thanksgiving festivities that you saw pictures of. I recovered just in time to catch a cold that went immediately into bronchitis. That was just after all of our company left after Thanksgiving.
There you go. Next I'll try and get to the updates about my visit to UCSF just a week ago. Thanks for all of your continued love and support. Kevin

Birthdays, Medical Diagnostics, and Thanksgiving

2010-12-10T20:48:00.000-08:00


Kevin, Candice, Cousin Chris, Aunt Skid


Kevin's famous Chicken Pot Pie Dutch Oven style.

Chris and Skid came to Pre-Celebrate Grammy's 90th Birthday!

Then Kevin went to SF for two days of Doctor visits and tests.

The Golden Gate Bridge

A Walk on the Bridge

Back at UCSF for more tests

I don't think this is the 'million dollar sticky'

Self Portrait on a cable car

What would a trip to SF be without a visit to Ghirardelli Square?

ARRH!

Big Blue Thing

Lunch!

Going up or down?

Only Kevin could get a parking space on the streets of SF!

From the top of famous Lombard Street

It looks just like it does in everybody else' pictures!

Transamerica Building?

Time for labs

Kevin hooks up with his UCSF roommate Dennis Lozano!

Kevin, Dennis, Marie, Joan & Dan Murphy, Barbara

Dennis & Marie Lozano

Our very own Shawn Hancock Thanksgiving morning at the Mud Bowl!

The Muddy Winners!

Cousins Hayden & Alexander learning about the Richards Family Landfill!

Before the feast!

So far nobody has photos of the feast itself. I guess we were all too busy & hungry. I'll bet Hillary has some, I'll get them when she comes home for Christmas.

After the feast, time for games

Male bonding in the other room

Grammy, Grandpa Darryl with Hayden & Zander while Radley and Amberly look on

The kids making cards for Grammy

Dale helping Linda make Beef Stroganoff

Our Roadrunner captured by Darrell Richards

Our beautiful and talented friend Liz met us in the park and took family photos of one and all. This is just one of the whole group!

Our backyard near sunset...

One of the many spectacular views from our home!

Amberly, Radley, & Ashley decorating Grammy's Christmas tree

Finishing touches, Amberly, Radley, Maddie, Ashley holding Elizabeth

I have had possession of Candice' Dyson since she moved back to Paso Robles. I've been thinking I need my own because I'm in love with the Dyson! So on Saturday I went to Costco with my $70 off their already great price coupon and came home with my own! This is the before picture, brand new and empty!


EEK! Instant gratification! This is after Hillary did a quick once over of the upstairs and down after our company went home to get ready to put up Christmas! Gross!

Hillary I'm sure has some better pictures of our Thanksgiving/90th Birthday extravaganza, but she is in Orange County as is her camera, so until then this is it! We had a wonderful time with the Crosby side of the family including the Clausens, Watsons, Hancocks, Kilbys, and Crosbys.
Sorry it's taken me so long to get to this, more to come, love, Dale

THE BEATINGS WILL RESUME UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES!

2010-11-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

I love my daughter Candice. I thought that having her assist with my physical therapy would be a good thing. I had no idea that she had so much pent up frustration. Unfortunately, she apparently feels comfortable taking out her aggression on the patients, as long as the patient is her father. One of Candice's supervising physical therapists, Jen, warned me that she thought Candice was a little too anxious to work with me. And this is just warming up on the treadmill! I have to admit, however, that we are seeing some results. The purpose of the PT was to get my back and body stronger, which would make my recovery from upcoming back surgery better and quicker. They have me doing all sorts of exercises, but the worst is the balancing act they submit me to every time. Picture standing on a squarish board that has a 2" high, 1/2" wide runner underneath it down the middle. You're supposed to balance on it, first left/right, then front/back for 2 minutes, while trying not to let the edges touch the ground. It's not as easy as it sounds. The weights and lifts are no big deal.

They work everything, thighs, calves, shoulders, glutes, hamstring, neck, arms, with the real purpose of strengthening the stomach and core muscles. The routine takes from 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. The cute blonde on the right is Jen, my physical therapist, and one of Candice's housemates and friend. The darling young lady to my left is Andrea (pronounced on-DREY-a), who is from Nebraska and is doing her "time" so she can become a full fledged physical therapist too. All of the staff at San Luis Sports Therapy have been wonderful to work with. My strength and mobility have greatly improved.

Halloween!

2010-10-30T22:05:00.000-07:00


The gang at San Luis Sports Therapy & Rehab where our daughter, Candice works, I work out and Kevin gets physical therapy. A great place! Candice is third from left on back row. She went as a fortune teller.

Jen, physical therapist, the Old Geezer, and Candice

Old Geezer complete with toothless grin, drool bib and he really wanted you to see the flames on his walker!

Tonight at church we had a Harvest Festival / Halloween party. The older boys hosted a spook alley, many of the classrooms were filled with activities and games. Kevin hosted Graveyard Golf in one of them. I didn't even get to see it because I was busy the whole time with our skeleton ring toss. I couldn't even take pictures which was a bummer because I saw some of the most awesome and clever costumes this year. The gymnasium was also full of carnival type booths with a Halloween twist. They even fed us pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and hot dogs, not to mention the many pounds of candy! I'd say it was a huge success! Thank you Bob and Nina!

Vacation Part Two!

2010-10-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

Poor young Spencer, our 8 year old nephew dealing with Rhabdomyosarcoma, was confined to a private room in Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. He was fighting an infection with a persistent fever and was stuck there almost another week.


This was the first and only time Kevin & I got to see him since he was diagnosed Feb. 2nd. of this year.


He's a real trooper. He wanted to see us, but he was fighting to stay awake and won that battle which wasn't easy since he was heavily medicated. Thank heaven for the mask!

Cousin Hillary was able to visit him in April when she flew out to visit as well as with us this trip. I think he starts another round of in hospital chemo tomorrow.


After visiting Spencer we went to Becky & Roger's to celebrate her good news. Her Hodgkin's Lymphoma is officially in remission, she is cancer free!


Roger, Hillary, Becky, Aida, Kevin, & Dale

One of a thousand Aida faces! She's a poser...

My favorite, 'The Lip'


Becky made 'Cancer Sucks' cookies for us all. Taking a chunk out of cancer one bite at a time!

Jessica & Adam Richards, expecting their first child, Josh & Tara Richards, expecting their sixth child! Our nephews & their beautiful wives...

Ike, Uncle Kevin, Sophie, Aida, Grandma Susie- Becky's mother & our sister-in-law, and a really awful pic of me...

'Help, I'm stuck between the slats of this chair!' Not to let a Kodak moment go to waste, pictures first, rescue after. This is Ian, Josh & Tara's youngest. What a precious face...

Hillary playing with Josh's kids making faces. This is the incomparable Sophie!

Ike and Hillary, so sweet!

Ike, Hillary and Cassidy. Their mother is a beautiful red head, can you tell?

Jacob, Hillary & Ian

Good eats as always! We are so blessed to have such wonderful nieces and nephews. They are such good examples to me. They are the best! And they are raising very good children...


Kevin's brother Brian & his wife Jill treated us to a piano concert featuring Jon Schmidt. He is an incredibly talented artist who takes everything from classics to classic rock to rap and makes it his own Very entertaining and funny too! It was great! Who can't use a little more culture?

Great aunt Dale introducing Evelyn to bubbles. She is Brian & Jill's first grandchild, the daughter of Laura and Caleb Yancy.

Kevin's brother Jeff and his wife Mandy took us to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Hillary finally meets someone who has feet bigger than hers!

I think some acting lessons are in order! I've heard that if you don't move, they can't see you...

Cousin Rachel caught by surprise. These are real bones and you just can't appreciate how huge they really are. This was a very cool museum. It's the largest collection of dinosaurs in the world.


Jeff treated us to dinner at the cafe there and after Kevin insisted on ice-cream all around!

Kevin, Jeff, Rachel, Mandy, Dale and our very patient and adorable server!

We went to visit Holly's father, OK Hemsath and his wife Suzi Saturday night. The guys went to General Priesthood meeting and we all had a great visit. So enjoyable in fact that even Hillary didn't take any photos. We will try to get one from Holly to post later. It was great to see them.

Mandy, a fabulous cook, prepared a delicious meal of marinated grilled chicken, scalloped potatoes, and a unique grilled romaine salad topped with caramelized onions, blue cheese and balsamic & Dijon vinaigrette. To die for! Yum....

For desert, Mandy made from scratch, the most delicious Key Lime Pie I've ever eaten. I'll never order it again Mandy!


Somewhere over the rainbow is home! It rained a bit through Utah on our way home. Hillary took this through the car window! We had a great visit but it's nice to be home again.


CYCLOPS! Kevin had his first cataract surgery on Monday and is already seeing very well. He has the beginning of one in his other eye that he will have fixed when it gets a little worse.

A day after surgery and the eye is still dilated!

Sorry to all of you we didn't get pictures of, we were just having too much fun visiting with you! We had a wonderful visit with our Colorado and Utah families. Thank you to all for your hospitality and generosity. We love you! Dale

FRESH AIR FOR THE SOUL

2010-10-10T11:10:00.000-07:00

     You've seen some of the pictures from our trip. Dale started the blog post by saying, "Kevin decided he needed a vacation..." It wasn't just that. Anyone that knows me at all, knows that I love the outdoors. After 14 months of being couped up in hospitals and my home, I needed TO GET OUT! I needed to feel what it was like to get back to what I consider normal, or at least as normal as I could safely do. People recharge their souls in different ways. Mine has always been through outdoor activities. Backpacking, camping, hiking, exploring.
     I have to express a special thank you to my brother Alan and his wife Lynette. They came down from Denver area to meet us in Moab to start our trip, and made the whole southern Utah and Colorado part of our trip possible. They took a week of their vacation time to make sure that we had a great vacation. They arranged for all of the accommodations and planned the sightseeing part of our trip to make it the most fun for me. They planned everything around my abilities and were always sensitive to my physical limitations. It not only would'nt have been as much fun without them, but it never would have happened. A thousand thank yous. I've even let it go about how much of my banana split you ate, Alan.
      A couple things Dale didn't mention was that while in Glenwood Springs, CO. Even though because of the rain the girls didn't ride bikes, Alan and I did during a break in the rain. We hustled up the canyon to ride along the Colorado River as it comes down the canyon. It was truly spectacular. We rode about 3 miles UP the river before I needed a break, so we stopped and walked down to the side of the river. After a short rest and stretching we continued. I made it about 2 more miles before my back said, "That's it!". After short rest and some more stretching, we headed back DOWN the river. The ride down was easy and I could concentrate more on, and better enjoy, the truly fantastic surroundings. Alan and Lynette went to a lot of trouble to prepare and haul 5 bikes on this part of the trip. We only used 2. Sorry, again Alan, but it was great for me. Next time, we will do the 18 mile downhill ride from Vail pass.
     I was pleased with the amount of activity that my body was able to handle. It was great to be outside.

On The Road Again!

2010-09-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Kevin decided he needed a vacation so he decided to visit the relatives and take the road less traveled.


First we drove through a 'wildlands fire' near Beaver, Utah. We can't seem to get away from smoke!


We met Kevin's brother Alan and his wife Lynette in Moab, spent the night and went to see Arches National Park. Here's Hillary and I in front of one of MANY arches...

Kevin enjoying a banana split appetizer while waiting for lunch. Alan helped...

Next we drove to Canyonlands Park. This is the Colorado River...


Hillary, Alan, and Kevin

The Brothers

The Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile spent the night at the Marriott Residence Inn with us in Glenwood Springs, CO. Hillary enjoying a once in a life time Nikon moment!

Target in Glenwood Springs, makes us feel at home, aah!

Not bad for an 'out the window of a moving car' photo. This is the drive through the canyon following the Colorado River. The aspens are turning, stunning!

Rain! This is why we didn't get to ride bicycles through the canyon. There they are on Alan's car in front of us. Two on the back and three in the trunk, believe it or not!

Broomfield, CO. This is the closest in the room Hillary stayed in. My very talented sister in law transformed the closet into a little girl's dream dress up room. Just imagine...

The guest room I stayed in, complete with a gift basket loaded with Colorado gifts, including water bottles, caps, chips, flag, and did I mention chocolate? Lynette is the hostess with the mostest!

Part of the first decadent breakfast Lynette prepared for us. She's really trying to fatten us up and it's working!

Alan with grandsons Tristan & Carson and of course Uncle Kevin! They took a moonlight hike up the Flat Iron Mountains...

The brothers waiting outside the Celestial Seasoning's factory and gift shop! Guess where we are?

A restaurant on the Boulder Walking mall. BJ's, very yummy!

Bear Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park...Pristine!

Dale & Lynette on the walk around Bear Lake

Alan & Kevin on the other side of Bear Lake!

Hillary and I on our hike through Rocky Mountain Park. The aspens are turning. They are bright as sunshine to the eye!

We made the boys take us to a really cool rock shop. I bought some really cool rocks! Bonus! There were two 'cow' elks and babies on the other side of a pond right outside of the rock shop! Then the 'bull' elk showed himself on the other side! We couldn't get too close though. The boys saw that bull chase a lady around the pond when she got too close for her photo opp! Seriously!

He knew we wanted a picture of him but he would not turn to face us!

I love rocks! Kevin & Darrell often brought rocks home from their Boy Scout adventures, Kevin picked picked up a cobble on our trip to Germany and now I have a small pile of rocks bought in Colorado, collected from around the United States! I will find a place for them in the garden.

The charming village of Estes, CO

The cousins trying mini sweet peppers for the first time!

Ehh...not so much. But they gave it a good try! Someday they are going to love them, I just know it!

Alan & Lynette put on a feast at home. Our niece, Emily, Hillary, Tristan and Dale. Carson was our photographer!


We stopped in Fort Collins, CO to visit with the beautiful Salanoa family who lived in Paso Robles for a year and we refuse to give them up! Monty is there to get a Masters degree and then on to medical school! We hope to get them back some day!

Our niece Holly with her children, Gavin & Isabelle. Her son Spencer is in Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City fighting an infection. His dad Nate was there with him. This morning he was getting better, please keep praying!

Cousin Becky and Uncle Kevin comparing 'porta-catheters'. If he ever asks if you want to see his scar, just say no...

A fraction of the family gathering at Grandma Richards

More of the same...

Kevin, Aunt Nona, and his 'Mammy' Barbara

Kevin's brother Jeff, Mandy, Dale, the Lewis family, and Mason. Jeff took us out to eat at a new hamburger restaurant opened by a ward member. Good times!

We were blessed to be able to visit Frank and Carrie Connolly in West Jordan. Kevin was honored to give them both priesthood blessings assisted by two of their ward members. They send their love to all in Paso Robles.

Did you know that Hillary discovered a herd of Elk right on our own hill? By the time we got out with our camera's they had been herded away, so we did the next best thing...We took her to Cabela's to see one up close. She's ready for action. Our bull elk wasn't going to take any chances of ending up stuffed at Cabela's so he was smart enough to run!

That's it for now. If you made it all the way to the end, I commend you. Betsy, you asked for this, I hope you find the time to see ALL of it!

We are really enjoying our visit so far, but we miss our family and friends in Paso Robles!

Love, Dale

More to be Thankful For

2010-09-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

I neglected to mention in the painting posts that DeCou Lumber in Atascadero donated all the lumber that was needed to make new shutters and replace all the rotted, twisted trim pieces. Thank you Jay DeCou for supporting Conner's eagle project and helping to make our home beautiful!

Also, our friend Ron Hogeland arranged for all the paint to be donated by our local Sherwin Williams paint store. Our house was VERY THIRSTY. It had never been primed and was so badly weathered that most of the paint was actually gone on certain sides of the house. We used a ton of paint ALL thanks to Matt Markowqski, Jesse Henriquez, and Steve Sanchez at our Paso Robles store. I admit I had never used their paint before. I've done many painting projects before from walls to furniture and I'm picky about my paint. A paint job us only as good as the paint you use. I am a Sherwin Williams convert. The paint is excellent and we didn't even use the top of the line. We didn't need to, but just imagine how nice that must be!

Thank you one and all!

A Pure Blood American

2010-09-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

This year I actually got a flag up before 9/11. I've had a hard time finding a flag to fit my pole. Lovin' the red door. I even have a perfume called 'Red Door'! It was meant to be...

Good Eats!

2010-09-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

When you are invited to a Griffith Family Barbecue you need to train much like an athlete trains for a marathon. Only it requires reducing your calorie intake before and after the meal. Fast Sunday the day before was a good start. Minimal breakfast the day of and nothing else after the feast helps. It would also help to engage in vigorous exercise after, as a Griffith meal is packed full of delicious calories!

When I got my camera out to take pictures of the spread before everyone descended on it, the camera told me the memory card was full! Luckily, I had a spare. However, by the time I got it switched the feeding frenzy had begun, so the photos aren't as flattering. But trust me it was a beautiful thing!


Larry cutting up his famous tri-tip as Matthew and Carrie congratulate him on his culinary skills.


Candice and Kevin dig in.

The menu included, tri-tip, Kathy's famous potato salad, a beautiful garden salad, a decadent grape in sweetened sour cream 'salad', my cabbage salad, buttered grilled bread, lemon cupcakes iced with cream cheese and fresh raspberry frosting served with lemon ice-cream, apple pie a la mode, and pecan pie. Did I leave anything out? I did not eat everything, but I believe Kevin did!

Our beloved Dr. Jeffery Wolf. He is an amazing man. He packs more into a day then there are hours to spend. And yet, he is always calm, cool, and collected. He never rushes us. Always visits with us about things that have nothing to do with medicine. He's a great doctor and a really good man. We are so blessed! Dale

Es Kommt Nichts in Frage...

2010-09-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

Let me explain the title by the following short story. While in the mission field we taught a man by the name of H. J. Stammel. He is a famous writer of western novels in Germany. During one of our conversations he made the statement, "Es kommt nichts ins frage ob mann von idioten umgegen wird. The einsige frage ist, vie grosse idioten sind die." Which is translated to: "There's no doubt that we're surrounded by idiots. The real question is, how big of idiots are they?" Well, yesterday we made another trip to San Francisco to meet with my orthopedic surgeon and oncologist. There we found out that the local radiologist that did my 6 MRIs over a month ago failed to send the MRIs to Dr Burch. His office had to call just to get the report fax'd to them. When he reviewed the report, then compared it to his x-rays, he stated that he disagreed with their report already but would suspend further judgment until seeing the MRIs. So I don't know yet what exactly he wants to do about the remaining 4 collapsed vertebra. There were rays of hope, however. He did say that I'm ready for physical therapy, and that after 6 weeks of PT, he'd let me start pitching and putting. No twisting of the spine allowed yet. He also cleared me to ride a bicycle. I also mentioned my love for backpacking, and he said he thought that I'd be able to do it again someday. Just not soon. I'll wait.
My brother Alan and his wife Lynette are going to meet Dale, Hillary and I in Moab on the 20th, and we're going to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks for a couple of days. Just very short hiking there. But then we're heading to Glenwood Springs, up in the Colorado Rockies for a ride along the river. Then an 18 mile downhill ride from the top of Vail peak, into Vail, Colorado. Dale and Hillary REALLY tried to get the doctors to say it wasn't a good idea for me, but both doctors said it was OK, if not a good idea. It turns out that the doctors are outdoorsmen. Suuweeet!
The whole "idiot" thing applied once again when I met with Dr. Wolf in the late afternoon. My local oncologists office failed to email my latest labs to him, even though I called them Friday and reminded them, and they said that they emailed them right them. When they contacted the office and received them, they found that they weren't doing all of the right tests that he'd asked them to anyway. So, I still don't know how my kidney level is. It was perfect in the July tests, then dropped "dramatically" in the August tests, according to the local Dr, but Dr Wolf had nothing to look at. He'll just compare it to the results of the tests from yesterday, but, he said the other factors looked good, so he didn't see any reason to be too concerned. Good news. AND, he asked me to be a part of another study. I'm part of the Revlimid daily pill instead of monthly infusion chemo study. That will likely be for 2 years. He and another doctor, Dr Brevin, head of the Orthopedic department, have gotten a grant to study the effects of multiple myloma (which eats bone) on the spine, and prophyllactic (preventative) means of minimizing spinal impact, which affects breathing as well. What it means to me is that I'll receive more specialized care for my spine, and perhaps, more kyphoplasty, which is all right with me. They are only having about 50 to 70 patients total in the study, which is just for one year. However, they feel that it will bring good insight and dividends. I'll go into more detail later.
Last, August 28th was the 1 year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. Sept. 11th for my 1st time going into the local ICU, and September 13th for my 1st visit to UCSFs ICU, etc. So I made a bunch of decadent homemade cookies for the doctors & their staff, and twice as many that we delivered to the 11th and 14th floors of the hospital for the nurses. We got to see a couple of my nurses. One, Agnes, didn't even recognize me, but recognized Dale. She had me at the beginning, before I was 85 lbs lighter and with my curly "poodlehead hair". When we got home we found that she'd left a message on our home phone apologizing for not recognizing us, but it came to her after we left. That was fun. I'm sure she ate a cookie anyway.
Well, both Doctors told me to hold tight until they call and speak to me either later this week or the beginning of next. So I'll give ya'll an update at that time. I might get a haircut next week. Whatdaya think?

Cancer Survivor

2010-09-06T10:26:00.000-07:00


This is our friend Ron Hogeland. When Kevin's cancer was diagnosed, Ron was at the end of his treatments for Lymphoma. Ron had to go to Stanford for his all treatments. It was a grueling week for him. I think he had to be hooked up to his 'chemo cocktail' for 72 hours in the hospital. Anyone who's spent any time in a hospital knows there is no rest there. Someone is always taking your vitals, poking, or just asking you how you are doing. No rest for the weary. And yet, I don't think Ron missed a single Sunday at church. He was always there and he usually looked pretty good. You'd often find him sitting on the floor in the nursery with his grand daughter, helping her get over her separation anxiety from her mother. We always worried about germs. Children are germ factories. He'd be careful, but he was always there.

So when Kevin was diagnosed our connection with Ron and Barbara intensified. We didn't even need to exchange words. We just knew they knew. They have been a great support and inspiration to us all along. Ron oversaw the painting of our house the last time and spent even more time on it this time. It's so great to see him looking so fit and healthy. So normal. You'd never know, but we do. We are grateful to have them in our lives. We've had many good times together and look forward many more. Thank you Ron and Barbie! We love you! Dale

Spectacular Finish!

2010-09-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

After last Saturday we had two more work parties Monday and Tuesday and a full day for me on Wednesday and the only thing left is one more coat of red on the door (when the weather is cooler) and some minor touch-ups. It looks fabulous! Better than it did when it was brand new. It never got the TLC that it received this time. How can we ever thank Conner, the Jorgensen's and all our wonderful friends? The scaffolding left today. It's finished! Here are some photos of what was done this past week. Thanks for the memories!


Crew left at the end of the day 8/28/10. Ron, Matt, Tristin, Dale, Kevin, Jamie, Bailey, Arnie, Conner, Hanna, & Randy


Ron in full painting gear. Pretty cute isn't he?

Kevin giving sage counsel to Mark and Matt our resident experts.

Randy & Conner, father and son, holding up their end of the bargain.

More Torque Mark! The gutters were really a pain. The 'professionals' that originally installed them did it ALL wrong. Now it's done right.

They worked into the dark to finish the south side of the house Monday night. After this we got out the super bright shop light for them to finish with. Then we had, guess what? Leftover hamburgers and hot dogs in the house for a fashionably late dinner.

How many guys does it take to hang one very long gutter? Margaret our resident 'ladder' expert supervises!

Ron and Conner driving a few more screws. Conner was at every work detail we had. He earned two or three Eagle projects if you ask me!

Mark, always the perfectionist, painting the metal flashing to match the gutters. Mark, we can't thank you enough for your expertise, attention to detail, advice and countless hours into this project! Darrell took this photo. Awesome!

Matt the tool man making sparks fly. Another cool photo by Darrell.

Matt's really not crazy about heights, but you'd never know it by all the work he did. This photo doesn't really show the angle the ladder was leaning. That's why the others were lending their support. Good job Matt! I had to brag to him the next day that I scaled the top level of the scaffolding to replace an attic vent, as well as the top of the pergola and the front porch roof to wash windows. I knew Matt would give me warm fuzzies as he knows I hate heights too!

This photo shows a slight uncertainty about the precarious position of the ladder. If only there was a foot hold somewhere nearby! Reminds us of Clark Griswald hanging Christmas lights in 'Christmas Vacation'!

Kevin made his famous dutch oven Chicken Pot Pie. 'A thing of beauty is a joy forever', at least until I can get on the treadmill and work it off!

Darrell took this photo of how amazing the Milky Way looks from our home. We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy such beauty every day!

All done! I still can't believe it's my house when I drive up! We have the most awesome friends! This blog doesn't even begin to show all the countless hours put into this project.

If only the inside looked as good as the outside! To all our friends who were apart of this project in any way, we are truly grateful. It's going to be a bit lonely around here without all of you. We enjoyed working along side you. Please invite us to help you on your own projects. We enjoyed your company so much. We loved every minute of it. Now it's time to allow the bruises, cuts, scrapes, and arthritis to heal. At least I'll try!

Conner, you really went the extra mile with this one. It was a huge undertaking. You all are apart of the very fiber of our home! I will think of each of you every time I'm outside and look at my house, or see it from hwy 101, or put recycling away behind the house...

We feel the love of our Heavenly Father through all of you. We love each of you and pray for you as you pray for us. I just can't thank you enough. We are so blessed! Love, Dale

It Isn't Easy Getting Green!

2010-08-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

Conner Jorgensen chose to paint our house for his Eagle Scout project! I'm just going to give you what I have now and add to it when I get Darrell's photos and the project is complete. The house was in bad shape and had required much prep work, but after two full Saturday work 'parties' and many hours of work during the last two weeks, it's almost finished and it's beautiful. Better than ever before, even when it was new!


Randy, Connor, Arnie and Brett setting up the scaffolding Brett, father of famous twins and triplets, putting his back into it. This photo can't even begin to show how hard he was working. The whole house had to be wire brushed and scraped! All the guys worked hard at that!

Arnie, the dare devil, and Conner the Eagle working hard!

Randy, Conner's dad power washing and taking a shower!

Mark putting the first two coats of red paint on the door. The easiest of the many jobs he performed on our home, including putting up new trim, painting and building shutters, caulking every nook and cranny of the entire house and removing the gutters to name a few! Three solid days and counting! Thank you Mark!


Hanna and Bailey, Conner's sisters primed the trim around the garage door and painted it the next day among other tasks. This was how Bailey spent her 10th birthday. They are both former students in my Primary class. Adorable!

Jamie, Conner's beautiful mother, going green. She has been my color adviser and thank heaven for her help. She saved me from a BIG disaster!

Conner giving some pointers to his sisters!

Saturday August 28th Randy, Conner & Duffy prepping for real paint!

Matt 'out on a limb' being supported by Connor and Tristin!

Doyle, Darrell's boss, thank heaven for him!

Doyle steadying Ron, our resident painting expert whose tools and expertise we could not do without! My favorite is his painting costume! On his head he wears a kids t-shirt with his head through a sleeve. Keeps the sun and paint off!

John lending a helping hand. He also got started on the rain gutters, nasty job! Sorry John, this was the only photo in my camera.

Viola! Almost done. Just some touch ups, trim work, more paint on the gutters and then getting the gutters and shutters back up. I love the red door!

Soot the only one of our cats not too shy to hang out with the crew!

We can't thank the Jorgensen family enough. I've lost track of how many trips they've made to our house. They will be back again tomorrow for a Family Home Evening of what else? Painting! Thank you to our amazing and wonderful ward family and scout troop for all your support and countless hours of service to us. We are so grateful and so blessed to have you in our lives. We love you so much. More later....Dale

WHO KNEW! Subtitle WHO CARES?

2010-08-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

I asked my oncologist about why the fingernails on my thumbs and big toes had a dead top layer that was growing out. He said that the chemo 'killed' them and now they're growing out. He compared it to how the rings inside a tree date it and how they can tell if there was a drought, etc.. This picture was taken about a month ago. Now, the ridge is on the tips and will be cut off with my trimming next week. You may ask, as I did, why just the thumbs and big toe nails? He couldn't say. The others had white lines and were indented, but not dead. They were only...mostly dead. The toe nails grow much slower, so they're only about 1/3 of the way grown out as of this post. Weird I know, but would you expect anything else from moi? Speaking of useless information...

As you can see, my hair is coming in again. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. It's coming in super curly! Candice rubbed her hand through it and came up with, "Dad, you've got poodle head". So that's my new nickname. Poodle head. At least it's still soft and not coarse. My friend Ron Hogeland went through cancer/chemo over a year ago. He had curly hair before. His came in straight. Mine was straight, now it's curly. I've been told that it will grow out and probably return to its pre-chemo state. At least it's hair. Right? As several of us were talking about it, we also were trying to decide what color it is. The best description came from Seth Leishman. It's pewter. I'm told it's subject to change without notice.

Generally, I'm doing really great. As of my appointment this past Wednesday, I've gained 12 pounds since my low after starting the daily Revlamid chemo pills. I'm up to 170 lbs. Good news. The bad news? Apparently either the Revlamid or the monthly super calcium infusion of Zometa is adversely affecting my kidney function. The Doc adjusted my last Zometa infusion to see if it's that. We should know by my next appointment at UCSF on Sept. 7th. At least it hasn't hurt my appetite. I'll be meeting with my orthopedic surgeon the same day to discuss a plan for fixing my 4 remaining collapsed vertebra. Oh, and by the way, I found out a couple of weeks ago that I have a cataract in my right eye. Chemo also causes cataracts to grow very quickly. The small one in my left eye should be cooked enough to require surgery a few months after I've gotten the right one done. More on this later. Remember (now that Hillary's moved to So Cal and I'm on my own with this), when I haven't made a post in a while, that no news is good news! I've got more good news to report, but I'm going to keep you in suspense for a few days... To be continued...

OH MY ACHIN' BACK

2010-08-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

     Not a lot to report as of late, but I did have 2 sets of 3 MRIs on my spine yesterday. I must admit, it was so much easier than the MRIs I had while in the throws of my cancer and spasms at UCSF. At my appointment a few weeks ago, Dr. Burch informed me that he wanted an MRI of my thorasic spine where the 4 collapsed vertebra are (T3, T9, T10, T11) because the x-rays we took up there weren't good enough. When I talked to one of the technicians about my appointment, she said that Dr. Burch had changed the orders and he now wanted an MRI of the cervical, thorasic and lumbar spine areas. BUT WAIT, there's more... he also wanted a second set with contrast (dye). He wanted to see if any damage had happened to my cervical, thorasic and lumbar spine since the surgery on my lumbar and thorasic spine (L1, L4, T12) back on Nov. 20th, which was 3 months prior to my bone marrow and stem cell transplants. So yesterday I spent most of the morning having all of those done. I don't know if the machine at UCSF is older or newer, but I do know that it was not nearly as noisy! The first thing the technician did as we entered the MRI room was he handed me ear plugs. An hour and 15 minutes of lying still with your head in a brace is not as easy as it sounds. Thank heaven I'm not claustrephobic. You can't relax because of the noise and you're afraid that you'll move too much and you'll have to start over. Plus you're lying on a metal slab. Of course it was just after I went back into the tube after he injected the dye that I thought about maybe a little support under my neck and in the small of my back. After the session I mentioned it to him and he apologized. He said most sessions take 15-20 minutes so he didn't think about it. Don't know when I'll hear about the results. They go back to Dr. Burch then he'll call. I'll let you know.
     I'm doing much better on the Revlamid this time around. They're thinking that maybe my bad gall bladder was part of the problem the first time. I am definitely not having the nausea problem I had the first time around. With our favorite restaurant Lolo's closing (actually closed as of 7/29), we hit it pretty hard the last week. Yesterday we had a fantastic bbq at our friends the Griffiths. If Hillary would have been there she would have gotten pictures.   Let me paint one for you. Picture oak wood bbq'd pork ribs and tri-tip, grilled garlic bread, 7 different kinds of salads, watermelon, fresh corn on the cobb and cheesecake for desert. I ate it all except for 3 of the salads. A lot of it. I took 2 of my "digest assist" pills in stead of 1, and didn't have any real repercussions. I think I'm on my way to finally gaining a little weight.
     The worst side effects now are the muscle and body/bone aches. The worst of it starts happening about 1/2 an hour after taking my pill in the evening. By morning it's lessened. By the afternoon it's not too bad, but then my back usually has taken over as the primary pain center and stays that way until I take the next days pill. BUT, I'm not having the headaches, nausea and night sweats, so it's a very good trade off, and we're hoping that they will diminish over time as well.
     So all in all, I'm doing great! I was even able to drive the car and trailer down to So Cal and back this past Fri. and Sat. to move Hillary (twice, but I'll let her tell that story). I couldn't lift the heavy stuff, but I made a few trips with the lighter things. We had a great visit with our friends Gerg & Terrylynn Fisher too.
     Thank you all for your continuing prayers and good thoughts on our behalf. Now that Hillary's gone, both Dale and I are REALLY going to need them more than ever. Love. Kevin

VACATION'S OVER

2010-07-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my gall bladder surgery I got a wonderful 2 1/2 week vacation from my revlamid and it was kinda nice. I felt better, slept better, had more energy and got a really big appetite back. This week in particular I pigged out pretty big in anticipation of going back on it yesterday. Monday I had lunch with a friend at Lolo's (our favorite mexican restaurant that is closing on the 28th) and got a half tostada grande. The half covers an entire plate and is about 4" high with beans, chili colorado, cheese, lettuce guacamole and sour cream. During revlamid I would have been happy to get half of it down. I was half way done when I realized, 'I'm going to be able to finish this!' Which I did. And that was in addition to my own basket of chips and three bowls of salsa.

Tuesday my niece Amberly, her husband Aaron and their children Ethan and Radley came to visit us. We had a great time exploring the coastal tide pools at Cambria, walking on and under the pier at San Simeon, riding the rider mower around the hill, etc. I was able to do it all! I was sore by the end of the day, but still able to sleep well with a little help from one of my medication friends. I had a tri-tip sandwich for lunch and a huge plate of Lombardi's spagetti with meat balls, salad and garlic bread for dinner, topped off by a piece of cake. Normally, I couldn't have eaten half of the sandwich, and would have been done for the day. Wednesday, back to Lolo's with Dale and Hillary for more chips and salsa, carnitas taco with rice and beans. Yesterday, in anticipation of my binging all coming to an end, I made an omelette with sauteed red peppers and mushrooms and cheese for breakfast. Washed down with a big glass of ovaltine. Wow it was good.

Yesterday late morning I had my appointment with Dr. Malone in SLO. I got my first infusion of Zometa, plus he put me back on the revlamid. Zometa is to help with the rebuilding of my bones. The doctor said that maybe in 6 months or so, depending on the tests, I might be able to start golfing a little. It's a once month infusion coupled with blood tests. Fortunately, I didn't have the side effects from it that many have. But it only took about 1 1/2 hours after taking the revlamid after I got home last night before the muscle and body aches, headache and nausea showed up. I have to admit though, compared to many, I have it pretty dang easy. The side effects only slow me down, but don't put me down. Plus if it works, I'm not dead yet! Not even ...mostly dead. I also finally got my MRIs scheduled for the orthopedist. August 2nd. They are going to do 3 MRIs. One with contrast and 2 without. And I was able to do 3 appointments with clients at my Santa Maria office yesterday. It was a great day. I'm feeling good. But vacation's over. 2 pieces of toast and 8 oz. of apple juice for breakfast today.

Thanks for caring. We love and appreciate you all. Feel free to call or email.

I'll never do THAT again!

2010-07-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here's the second part of my posts for the day. Friday we made our trip up to UCSF, but instead of seeing 1 doctor, we tried and barely succeeded in seeing 2. The office manager for the orthopedic surgeon had it all worked out, on paper. But we all know that medical offices are even less reliable than, say, me. Fortunately, both doctors are in the same building. Dr. Wolf, the super hero oncologist, on the 5th flr. Dr. Shane Burch, of some note of his own in the world of spines, on the 3rd flr. Lets just put it this way, nothing went as scheduled or as planned. In the end, we were walking out of Dr. Burch's office at a little after 5pm, and heading to meet with Dr Wolf, who had to water his own office plants while he bided his time, after hours, waiting for us on a Friday afternoon.

Report: They were a little shocked about my having my gall bladder surgery on Monday and being in their office after a 4 hour drive on Friday, but they don't really know yet who they are dealing with (an idiot). Asked about a possible referral to the psyche dept. Dale said yes, I said we didn't have time. It would have been another month before I could have gotten in to see him, so there was no way I was postponing this appointment. Had x-rays done of my lumbar and thoracic spine for Dr. Burch. They showed the 3 vertebra that were previously repositioned by kyphoplasty (T12, L1 & L4). It was interesting to be able to so clearly see how each of the vertebra had to be treated differently, but that all 3 were back in the right position and doing well. Very cool. As to the other 4 thoracic vertebra with stress or compression fractures (T3, T9, T10, T11) not yet treated, the x-ray was less conclusive. It appeared that all of the fractures had healed, but that the little "wings" on the back of each vertebra might be out of place because of the compression of 1 disk on the next. So I need to get a MRI. Two of the vertebra didn't look too bad (T3, T11) and probably won't need anything. The other two (T9, T10) didn't look as good and may need anywhere from some surgery to some physical therapy, cortisone shots, etc. attention in the future. We'll keep you posted.

Report: We just love Dr. Wolf. Regardless of the circumstances, he NEVER makes us feel rushed or that he needs to move on. So he reviewed my blood work. He hadn't gotten the report from Dr Malone on the bone marrow biopsy from early June, so we'll have them send that on Monday. Everything in the blood work shows no signs of cancer. As to the Revlimid, he's the one who wants me to take it every day without a break for 2 years. We talked about the side effects, and he hopes they subside. If not, he suggested that we could consider velcade as my maintenance drug instead of Revlimid, so we'll see. I never had velcade all by itself, and that was during my worst cancer pain. Hopefully, the side effects wouldn't be as bad as the Revlimid. Should be an interesting next The good Dr Wolf was a little miffed to find out that Dr Malone hadn't started me on the Zometa, which is the osteoporosis infusion drug that they've wanted to get me started on. Dr Wold restated that my bones have been severely weakened by the cancer, and he feels strongly about getting it going ASAP. It's a once a month infusion that supposedly gives one flu-like symptoms for day or two. So the question is, if Revlimid gives me headaches, nausea, body aches, muscle aches and night sweats, would the "flu-like" symptoms from the Zometa even be noticable or could they even make the side effects from the Revlimid less noticeable becasue they're so similar and to a much lesser degree. The answer to this, and all those other questions that you'd never thought you'd ever ask, will be explained in future episodes of I'll never do THAT again!

Thousand thank-yous to Hillary who drove us up and back. We left at 9am and got home around 10:10pm. She's just been a wonderful support to both Dale and I and I know she'll be missed at our future appointments by the staff who just adore her.

Please keep the prayers and thoughts coming. I got on facebook, but really don't have a clue on how it all works. I'll have to make Hillary sit down with me again and go through it. So stay in touch through this blog and email. Love to all. Kevin

Gall Dang It!

2010-07-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

I'm going to break the next posts into two different ones, as, they are really unrelated but have been another piece or two of the continuing saga. The story goes like this... It was a dark and stormy Sunday afternoon....

So I'm sitting in the back row of chairs in the chapel just before the start of Sacrament meeting (the benches KILL my back) and in wheels Cari Ham, being pushed by her husband Pat, in a big old wheel chair. Her left foot exposed and up in the air. Before I could even get out a sarcastic (but loving) remark Cari says: "I just got fed up with Kevin Richards hogging the spotlight for so long. Somebody had to do something about it." A boy howdy did she. She took the twins to swimming lessons one day so that Betsy could just look after the triplets at home. After swimming they played pirates, and the twins 'ad 'er trapped like a rat on top of a picnic table. Decidin' to give up 'er 'igher ground, she leaped to the ground, landed awkwardly and ended up breakin' 'er left ankle in 2 places pretty bad. Reminds me of a pirate joke I know, but I'll save that fer another time. She just had surgery Thursday and everything went well. It'll take while to heal, but she'll be good in a few weeks. So back to our Sunday confrontation...

So I let Cari know that it's just not as easy as breaking an ankle. I am highly jealous of my hogging the spotlight position in the Ward and would not give it up lightly. If she thought I was competitive in sports, just try me, at your own risk, in limelighting! We had a good laugh over it and the service began. I began to feel really bad. Non-cancer related bad. I had felt a little sick the night before, but that was due to having way too much fun, staying way too long, and having way too much food at Floyd and Karla's get together on Sat. night. The pain became intense where I could feel myself sweating from the pressure. I was getting more and more nauseated. I knew that feeling. I had had it about 5 years before...the dreaded gall stones were back!
I leaned over to Cari's daughter Macey and asked her if she'd mind if I threw up on her. She looked back at me with a horrified look on her face (she could see that I probably meant it) and said, YES! So I headed out to the men's room, and from there a get some cool air in the Relief Society room. There Jason Ivey was walking by with his adorable little daughter. He took one look at me and said, "I'm taking yo home now." Which he kindly did. I laid on the couch as things got worse and worse. I waited for Dale to finally get home, which seemed to be an eternity, and announced to her that she needed to take me to the ER. Of course it was fast Sunday, so she at least gobbled down a bowl of cereal so she didn't pass out. The ultrasound clearly showed one HUMONGOUS stone and one big one. We conferred with the surgeon and the gall bladder was scheduled to come out Monday morning. Which it did. I stayed in the hospital until Wednesday afternoon. 2 percosets every 4 hours. I antibiotic every 6 hours. NO REVLIMID until after my meeting with my local oncologist on July 22nd.

Just to let you know. Surgeons lie about the amount of pain that you're not going to have after gall bladder surgery just like they do about after back surgery.

Cari still may one up me on this, as she'll be in a wheel chair. I guess I could get the wheel chair back from Pres. Kunz before church tomorrow... This isn't over yet.

Hole in my Gut

2010-07-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

This morning around 9am they took Kevin in to have his gall badder removed. They were successful at doing it laprascopically which means his recovery time should be minimal. The doctor came in to tell us everything went great and that his gall badder "was really sick!" So it's a good thing they decided to take it out quickly. There were also two stones and one was very big. He was surprised it hadn't caused bigger problems sooner. They brought him back from surgery around 11:30am. He was already feeling and looking much better.

He even began to drink clear liquids immediately and quite a bit considering. He is supposed to take it easy right now but I'm sure he will be excited when he can eat food again. I'm sure he will want to fill the new void in his gut with food. He still has a drainage tube in which should be removed soon. We haven't heard talk of a release date yet it depends on how he's feeling but maybe in the next couple of days. He is still hoping to make his appointments at UCSF Friday, but we are not sure it would be wise considering. We will know soon enough!

Hillary

Gut Wrenching Good Time

2010-07-05T00:25:00.000-07:00

This year is a little different considering the 4th of July fell on a Sunday. We were planning to BBQ ribs, have corn on the cob, fresh cold watermelon & ice cream but we thought heck everyone in America will be having that same kind of meal and we wanted to do something different to make this memorable. So we decided to visit our friends at the ER for a gut wrenching good time...

Kevin got a ride home from church early cause he was having stomach pain. When we arrived home a while later it was worse. Kevin made the decision that we needed to go to the ER so we grabbed what we could (unfortunately I forgot to grab my purse which had the camera in it, I will try to post a couple of pics from my cell phone later) Kevin guessed it was gall badder or kidney stones and he was right. They did an ultrasound and we could all see stones in his gall badder. The surgeon meet with us and it was decided that it should be taken out.

Kevin is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning between 8-9am. They will try to do it laparoscopically (small incisions) which would mean a minimal hospital stay but we know how a few days can easily turn into a week so we won't hold our breath. After he received his 20th blessing from Daryl and Brandon (Brandon was ordained earlier that day it was a special experience) and got some morphine he was feeling a lot better. Hopefully he will sleep tonight and everything will go smoothly tomorrow.

I will keep you posted once he is out of surgery.

P.S. Sorry Cari, you know how he always has to be the center of attention and it's so not fair that he will have surgery before you do! Hope your feeling better soon, we love you.

Hillary

"Good" Drugs, "Bad" Drugs

2010-06-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

As I've been following my nephew Spencer's blog, The Journey of a Superhero http://www.mysuperspence.blogspot.com/, and my niece Becky's blog, Don't Panic Roger I have A Plan http://www.takinglumps.blogspot.com/, I've noticed several things that we all have had in common with our hugely different types of cancers. Some of the drugs/chemos that we've been given haven't affected us too badly (which I'll refer to as "good" drugs), and others which have kicked our hineys all around (which I'll call "bad" drugs.) The term good or bad has nothing to do with their effectiveness in our treatment, just what it does to us. For instance, Becky talks about how the neupogen shots she's getting aren't doing the trick for her and her white counts are still very low. Whereas I took neupogen shots and it boosted my white counts so much that it was again deemed another miracle. For Becky, neupogen is "bad", as it has side affects and isn't doing what it's supposed to do, and for me it was "good".

With my new maintenance chemo drug, Revlimid, it's been 2 weeks since I started taking it. The first few days were not bad, and I thought, "This is going to be great." But after those few days, it got bad. Pounding headaches that would not quit no matter what I tried. Lightheadedness and dizziness. Painful body aches. Painful muscle aches. And then there's always the nausea. As of today I've lost 6 of the pounds I gained back. I'm back to 161 from 167! Apparently I'm going through "chemopause" a well, as I've been having night sweats the last week or so.

The symptoms were getting so bad that I went to the doctor last Thursday. I was able to meet with Tim Souchek, the PA for the oncology office. He was very thorough. Asked a lot of questions, then basically said that all of the symptoms were to be expected from the chemo. Then he made a very profound statement: "In a week or two, the symptoms are going to get better, or they're going to get worse. We'll have to wait and see." He told me to take it very easy for the next few days because he was worried about blood clots in my system. He ordered blood work to be done, and I found out it's "normal" for my circumstances. I was getting worse by the day. Saturday I could barely move ON the couch, let alone from the couch.

In March I started the process to try and qualify for Social Security disability until I can get back to work. I was told that everyone gets denied the first time. One client was denied 4 times before they approved him. Here's how it works, they said, they deny everyone. No one I talked to, including attorneys that deal with this stuff, said that they had EVER known anybody to be approved with the first application. You may be guessing now where this is going. On June 9th I turned in all of the medical reports that I had received from UCSF, to finish my part of the application process. On the 15th I got a call from my Social Security adviser letting me know that they still had to get the records from the local doctor and hospital and that the process would take up to 6 months to complete. Then the doctors had to review all of the information and make their determination. Then they'd let me know. Since the 9th I had gotten several computer generated form letters from the SSA, all of them a waste of paper. On Sat. Dale threw another one to me. I set it aside at first. I wasn't up to any garbage now. I was feeling horrible. After a few of minutes, though, I felt like maybe I should open it, and did. It was the SSAs notification that my application had been approved and that my benefits would start on July 28th. Talk about another miracle! Heavenly Father, despite the whole Revlimid thing, was truly blessing us and looking out for us.

Because I was feeling so lousy I told my family that I wouldn't be going to church Sunday. "But you have to. It's father's day." "Just go for sacrament meeting... etc". It went on for some time, so I knew something was up. Sure enough, Darrell was the concluding speaker. He did a great job talking about fathers in general and our Heavenly Father. My family knows how much I do not like "person-a-monies", and he did a great job avoiding that. He did throw in a few things about his father, most of them complimentary. We were all very proud of him and the talk he gave.

So now it's Tuesday. I haven't gotten worse, and I may have even gotten a little better. I'll let you know. But I'll tell you one thing. If I have to do this for 2 more years to stay alive, I'm up for it. I'd miss you all too much. Thanks again for your prayers and good thoughts on our behalf.

Love. Kevin

A HAIR RAISING EXPERIENCE

2010-06-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

It's been several weeks since my hair started re-growing and many of those who are not able to see me on a regular basis have been curious about what they've heard. Because it's gotten warmer (hotter really) I haven't been wearing my hats. Maybe the extra exposure to sunlight has kick started the process of hair growth? I'm just hoping that my Revlimid use doesn't stunt the growth. It's maybe a quarter inch long all over. You can't see it from these pictures, but it's very white on the sides and much darker on the top.

It was kind of funny at first, because it initially came in on top faster than the sides, so it kind of looked like I had a Utah buzz mullett. We should have gotten a picture of that. You all would have loved it. I had to carry around my banjo so it didn't look so weird.

I gotta tell you some more good news about wonderful blessing that a young man and our scoutmaster in our Ward have put together. All Conner Jorgensen needs for his Eagle Scout award is his project. Our scoutmaster, Matt Purkiss, also just happens to be our wonderful home teacher. He was aware that just before I got the cancer, we were working on getting new windows and siding for our house. Well, needless to say, that money's gone. So Matt and Conner have gotten together and received approval for Connor's Eagle project to be the re-painting of our house! Normally Eagle projects are not approved for individuals, but I guess all those years as a scoutmaster, district representative and council participant paid off. We'll get you pictures to keep you updated. Thank you Conner and Matt for your kindness. Not to mention all those that will get sucked into helping with the fundraisers, prep work, painting, etc. Now I'll have to try and keep from getting paint in my hair. What a wonderful problem.

I also got an email from Dennis Lozano's sister-in-law this week. He's still doing pretty well, and may be coming back to SF for a checkup in July. If he does, we plan on going up to see them. They are such wonderful people. Thank you all for your continued support, love and prayers for me and Dennis. We still need them. The Revlimid is kind of kicking me in the rear today. Tomorrow will be better.

Love. Kevin

BIOPSY RESULTS

2010-06-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

Dr. Malone called and let us know that the preliminary pathology reports from the bone marrow biopsy on Monday are negative for the presence of cancer. Which is positively a positive thing. We have to wait until the results come back from the out of state lab about the enzyme and protein tests, but he expects those to be clear of cancer indicators as well. So for now I continue taking my Revlamid and hope that the headaches, body aches, nausea and digestive problems work themselves out as my body re-adjusts to having chemo coursing through me.

I also had my annual melanoma checkup with my dermatologist yesterday. Had two pre-cancers burned off and one uglier one burned off that we need to keep an eye on. All in all, another good report.

After my appointment with the Doctor, I had a great visit with Randy Jorgensen who took me out for lunch at the 'Grad' in SLO. The place hasn't changed a bit in the decade or decades since I was last there. But they do have a good lunch menu. Thanks Randy.

So good news from every angle today. I'm looking forward to my continued recovery. We'll have to take another photo of me and my beginnings of new hair. It's coming in salt and pepper. Slowly.

My Doctor Disappeared

2010-06-08T19:56:00.000-07:00

Many of you have been wondering what's been going on with me since my last visit to UCSF. Well, the most interesting thing is that just as suddenly and mysteriously as he appeared 2 weeks before my cancer needed to be diagnosed and me to get up to UCSF, Dr. William Bonis, has left his practice and we don't have a clue where he's going or what he's going to do. I just had an appointment yesterday with one of his associates, Dr. James Malone in San Luis Obispo, for my bone marrow biopsy and to assess my starting the maintenance chemo Revlamid, and asked him. He said he didn't know and hadn't talked to him since Dr. Bonis had made the decision. And I believe him. We also talked to Dr. Bonis' office manager, who didn't have a clue either. So, even though technically he's "working" through the end of the month, due to his vacation schedule for the next 3 weeks, he was officially gone last Thursday. So that's why I couldn't get an appointment for my bone marrow biopsy scheduled, yet he didn't want me to start the Revlamid until after the biopsy? Wherever you are Dr. Bonis, I thank you for saving my life and wish you the best in your and your family's life. God speed.

My 3rd bone marrow biopsy went well and was quite interesting. Dr. Malone showed Dale & I the blood and marrow and how he prepared the slides for pathology. It was quite interesting. Then he told me to go ahead and take the Revlamid. We like Dr. Malone, but he's no Dr. Bonis, yet. Dr. Malone's a Stanford trained Dr. who also taught there. I never would have made it to UCSF.

The Revlamid gives me a headache, makes me nauseous, clouds my mind a tad and makes me even slower than I already was, and makes my body ache. I haven't had chemo for 3 months. I just got it OUT of my system for goodness sakes! It'll take my body a couple of days to adjust, but, I think it will be OK soon. 21 days on the drug and 7 off. We'll keep you posted.

It will take a couple of weeks before we get the results back, but we're expecting the best. We'll let you know when we hear something. Thanks for your continuing prayers and good thoughts my way. I really do appreciate it. In fact, I'm very honored.

In It Goes

2010-06-07T22:10:00.001-07:00

Hi. It's me again.

2010-05-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

Hi. It's me again. Last Tues Dale and I made another trip to San Fran for checkup. I drove up, Dale drove back, which was a good thing, as I started getting ill with a cold that afternoon. We missed Hillary, who was helping Betsy King with the triplets. To Hillary we say, "You did the right thing".

The appointment went well. We first had a short visit with Twee, Dr Wolf's nurse practitioner. Then we had a long visit with Dr 'Adam'. That's his first name. He's Polish. No one can say his last name, so they just call him Adam. He was very thorough in answering all of our questions, and in gathering information for our ultimate visit with Dr Wolf. He gave us some interesting information regarding the medical study of Revlamid, the chemo "maintenance" drug that I will soon be ingesting. He basically told us that it's all very new and experimental, but that when they started the study a year and a half ago, after one year they realized that none of the patients taking Revlamid had a re-occurrence of the cancer, but that several of those taking the placebo had. The drug company felt it immoral to make the placebo group suffer any more, so they pulled the plug on the study last December, and put everyone on the Revlamid. Without it, my recurrence probability was in a year or two, with the whole stem cell transplant thing (not as much fun as it sounds or looks) again. He stated that with the recent advancements in the treatment for my particular form of cancer, that he expected a "cure" within the next 5-7 years. Now that's good news.

Then Dr Wolf and Adam came in and made the decisions. My numbers are still getting better, though not all the way to "we don't have any worries". I don't need a blood transfusion. I do have to get a bone marrow biopsy again from Dr Bonis, our local oncologist, before I should start the Revlamid. From the indicators from the blood test, the cancer is still being held at bay, but the biopsy will get it down to the basic starting point of the cancer. Dr Bonis got me into the study group for Revlamid, so the company that makes it, Cellgene, sends it to me at no cost, saving $8,000 a month in the cost of the still experimental drug. All I have to do is fill out a survey they may send me after 20 days of taking the chemo pills, or talk to one of their representatives via a phone survey. If I fail to do either, I'm dropped from the program. They only send 28 pills. If I don't tolerate it well, I'm to take them for 21 days with 1 week off in between. If I do tolerate it well, then 28 days in a row, with no break. Hey, if it works...

One of the little tug of wars between Dr Wolf & Bonis is regarding my starting a calcium replacement program. Dr Bonis doesn't want me too, as it could cause kidney damage over the long term. Drs Wolf & Adam insist, but are willing to lower the originally planned dosage. Plus, I'll be getting blood tests at least once a month, and probably twice a month, and they'll order a test that would indicate any problem that could be starting due to the medication and adjust the dosage or stop it altogether. So Zomeda here I come.

I have had such a wonderful week. First Floyd Butterfield, great friend and inventor (go to http://www.microfueler.com/t-company.aspx ), took the time to take me out to lunch and for indescribably good chocolate cake, and I got to visit with him and Karla. I also visited with and took back the wheel chair that Kim Kunz loaned us and got wonderful hugs and words of love and encouragement from him and Melody. Then Ron Hogeland picked me up in his new Cobra replica and took me to lunch and we talked cancer (Ron's a year and a half survivor himself) and then he and his dear wife Barbara and Dale and I went to a movie together! Those sort of moments, moments that I have been waiting for for a many months, have really lifted my spirits as you can never believe. As Ron said to me over lunch, "It's amazing what you appreciate when you've had cancer." Family and friends are at the very top of that list for me.

So for now things are continuing to look positive (imagine that) thanks to all of your prayers and good thoughts on our behalf.

'Old Paint' 'ill Git Ya Thar an Back

2010-05-29T14:47:00.001-07:00

A Visit from Mammy (&Jeff)

2010-05-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Kevin's mother was FINALLY able to visit after a long 9 months and we had a wonderful time. Kevin's brother Jeff took time off to bring her for a long weekend.

Their first night Dale made a great family dinner that we all enjoyed

The next day we were able to visit our good friends the Kings so Grandma could see their 3 month old triplets.

Grandma Richards spent some quality time with Colton

While Dale caught up with Caleb

While I hung out with Conner

The next day we went to Cambria and stopped by a cool shop for a guy who makes cool things out of natural California redwood. He gave Kevin a redwood mushroom for the garden.

Then Jeff treated us to a FABULOUS dinner at Linn's! It was an incredible meal and everyone left very happy and stuffed. Thank you Jeff & Mandy for the wonderful meal with the whole family.

Sunday morning we had to say our goodbyes but everyone had a nice time even though it was short it was about time.

Post Cancer Party

2010-05-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

While we were in southern California for some Disney fun (without Kevin) we had a family & friends post cancer party.

Kevin meet with Sandy, our friend who's a chiropractor for some post treatment help.

He was able to get an adjustment, some helpful supplements and cell simulator on his back.

Then we got down to partying

The Tulanian's, Olson's, Whitaker, Westbrook bunch

Judy (she's one of Kevin's "special friends") and Nancy

Kevin's niece Amberly, son Radley, husband Aaron, Dale, Kevin and Dale's brother Rick

Kevin's nephew Dan and Elle (we missed you Taryn)

Nancy, Kevin and Rick

Kim & Nick's adorable girls Courtney, Jocelyn and Lauren made a castle and village

We all had a wonderful time. Kevin was feeling great and did a lot of walking and standing at the party. Every day he is improving and making great strides in progress. His friends and family have been a crucial party of his speedy recovery and we are entirely grateful to you all!

Our Happy Place

2010-05-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

Monday evening we had a nice Mother's day surprise, Grammy's sister Skid and her daughter Chris came for a visit. We had a delicious dinner with them and were able to catch up. Grammy & Skid are a cute pair, Grammy can't talk and Skid can't hear. They are the sweetest old ladies ever, WE LOVE THEM!

Dale & Hillary's 'Happy Place' is Disneyland which is why we have annual passes. Dale's is about to expire and oddly enough we didn't have much tome to use it this last year. So it was time for 1 last hurrah.

We brought Tara along to celebrate her graduating with a masters in occupational therapy and met up with some friends & family along the way.

Disney has the best hats, we had a great time trying them on.

My cousin Kim & her two youngest met us in the morning for kiddie rides, which we love just as much as the kiddies! Loren & I rode the rocket ship ride.

In the afternoon our long time friends Joyce and her son Lance met us for part of the day. We rode Tower of Terror twice. Once because Tara had never been on it before and twice because it is SO much fun and we couldn't get enough!

(We are all in the front row Dale, Hillary, Tara, Joyce & Lance)

Then on to Toy Story

We had 2 wonderful, magical days at Disneyland and now are feet are killing us! We get to spend the rest of the weekend with our friends and family. It is so nice to have a mini break and get away from home and hospitals. We are all having a nice time and enjoying ourselves.

Friday we met with our fellow family camper Dr. Sandy T. who is a chiropractor and holistic healer. She was able to determine what vitamins and supplements Kevin needs to help his body heal after this traumatic 9 months.

Hillary

I Used To Be 'Big Boned'

2010-05-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

     Today I met with my wonderful local oncologist/hematologist, Dr. Wm Bonis. Everything looks good, even though my red count is not high, but it's likely still the aftermath of my drugs. But it's also not low and I do not need another transfusion! He stated that the numbers mean that I'm ready to start the "maintenance" program of Revlimid. He and Dr Wolf are a little at odds over the dose and duration thing, and we'll have to resolve those issues during our appointment with Dr Wolf on May 25th, but we're ready to move forward with the next step.   I'm doing very well and have even gained three pounds, FROM EATING! Whoa.
     The first thing you do is get into a "program" sponsored by the drug company. Revlimid is a sister drug the phalidamide. Remember all those deformed babies from the 60s due to phalidimide? Well, that's one of the drugs that they tried to get me on early in my cancer, but I threw it right up. A drugs no good if you can't keep it down, so we did other chemos. But apparently it's good (or would it be more correct to say 'bad') for the cancer. Fortunately, I only have to take it for 3 weeks in a row, then I get a week off to let me and my body adjust. Good thing, THEN it's only $8,000 a month, the good Dr informed me. His nurse, Nancy, started the paperwork for us to get into the 'program' where the drug company, because it's still experimental, will cover the cost as long as the Drs keep good records, I am monitored at least monthly with blood tests and such stuff, the Drs and I make the information available, and I contact the company via telephone to report how the drug is effecting me monthly. Interesting to note that if I fail to call them, they cut me off and I have to re-qualify. The prescription is for 21 days, only.
      The other fact of note is that Dr Bonis is not big on me taking the super calcium drug that Dr Wolf recommends for re-building my bones because it can cause kidney damage. Dr Wolf is less concerned about that. My twentieth or so miracle in my recovery after my initial near death by kidney failure experience was when Dr Lowell Lo, the neuphrologist (kidney Dr) said he'd be happy and I'd be lucky to have 25% of my kidney function after my initial 3 days of dialysis. Do you remember this story from my very first week at UCSF? He's the one that I told would have to admit that my recovery would be a miracle, and he laughed. Then my kidney function went from 20%, to 25%, to 35%, to 50%, to 60%, to 75%, to (spoken with a fairly thick Chinese accent) "They're rike in plistine condition!" (like, pristine). He finally admitted, "It is miraculous". My bones were eaten so much, particularly my vertebrae, that I lost about 2 inches of height. My left shoulder blade has holes in it. My ribs broke so easily that I broke a few of them just rolling out of bed. Big tumor on my right hip (since zapped by radiation) that left a big dent. 3 collapsed vertebrae, since repaired. Every bone in my body was effected. After my bone scan I asked the Dr for a report. He just said, "You don't want to know". I just realized, I'll have to remind Dale that due to the cancer, I'm literally not as 'thick headed' as I was before. She'll probably just say something like, "Well, you make up for it with your lack of mental acuity due to your chemo brain, Einstein." Maybe I won't say anything.

Blessings All Around

2010-05-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday our entire family had the opportunity to witness the baby blessings of three very special little boys. Our close friends, family really, had triplet boys February 24th and Sunday they were given beautiful blessings by their father Brett.

Proud parents Brett & Betsy with Colton, Caleb, and Conner

We love being a part of their family and I know that Kevin & Dale are looking forward to some quality baby time. Do you think the boys will mind being surrogate Richards grandkids?

Here's a picture of most of the baby's entourage a few had to leave early.

It was a gorgeous Sabbath day! Kevin was so excited that he had pep in his step and wasn't extremely tired after church like usual. He even bore his testimony for the first time in 8 months over the pulpit. I think he has the most fun re-introducing himself to close friends in the ward who wonder who is this bald, skinny, new guy? He comes home with new stories of re-introduction each week. His spirits have been so brightened threw his visiting with friends and FINALLY getting out of the house. Kevin is working on some new exercises and stretches to help whip him into shape but like the rest of this experience it will be a slow and steady process. For now we are enjoying the sunny weather and healthy days!

Hillary

Many Suspected I Was A "Quart Low"

2010-05-07T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone;

I just figured it was time for me to give another update. I did get my blood transfusion on Thurs. April 27. I had forgotten how long they take. I was at the Outpatient Clinic at our local hospital from 9am to about 3:40pm. I had to get 2 'units' of blood. On Sunday at church when Roger Oxborrow asked how I was doing and I told him about the transfusion, he simply stated "We suspected that you were a 'quart low' for a long time." I'm sure he spoke for many. A person only has about 5 quarts in them, and being a quart low, especially while I'm trying to recover, was a great concern of my doctors. It was also the impetus for a tremendous improvement of my condition. I was worn out from sitting in the clinic all day Thurs, and Fri morning wasn't much better. I took a little nap and when I woke up about 1:20pm, it was like a switch had been thrown. I FELT GOOD! I mean I felt really good. I had energy, and I had hunger. Somethings that I hadn't experienced for 8 months.

I went into the office in town for a short time and when querried about dinner I responded that pizza sounded good. Dale had made pizza at home about a week and a half earlier, and I tried a sliver, and that was all I could eat. We got pizza from our family favorite in town, (ham and artichoke, light on cheese, extra sauce) from Chubby's, and I ate 3 big pieces! And lived. Sat. morning Darrell & I spent about an hour polishing up the 2 waverunners to get ready to sell (no real income for 8 months other than the support & love from family and friends) then dropped off my old motorcycle to donate to the shop, then had a Carl's Jr. burger with Darrell and ate all but 2 bites. And lived. Then went with Hillary to hold one of the triplets (Connor) and visit with Brett about their blessings. What a day! What a difference.

Sunday was a very important day. I was able to assist in the blessings of Betsy (top billing) and Brett's triplets, Conner, Colton and Caleb. Plus, all of my family was at church as well. First time in over 8 months. What a great and spiritual experience that was. We were also able to visit with some friends and former Ward members who came into town for the blessings. Arnie Zumbrunnen (sans wife and daughter who were up in Washington for a baptism of her nephew, I believe) and the Salanoa family (with their 5 boys), who will soon be moving to Colorado and many of Betsy's and Brett's family. What a great treat that was. I wouldn't of had the energy for the visit before the transfusion. I'm very thankful for the strength that our Heavenly Father blessed me with that allowed me to be a part of all that. Then, back home for a wonderful family dinner with all of the kids and Grammy. What a great day.

Today Dale and I went in to town to have a blood draw for my appointment with my local oncologist on Monday. We'll let you know what he says, but we suspect that everything's going to be good. Then Tues. we leave for So. Cal/OC so Dale and Hillary can go to Disneyland. They have season passes and with my cancer they haven't been able to use them. So now, Dale and Hillary can go and get their money's worth. The best part for us, however, is the get together on the 15th with family and family camp friends that we haven't been able to see for such a long time. I have 2 nieces (Kim and Taryn) with 2 brand new babies, and another great-nephew (Amberly's) that we haven't seen since just before the cancer was diagnosed. I will be in hog-ett (remember, I lost 80 lbs, so I'm not really a 'hog' anymore) heaven with these dear people.

I had a wonderful telephone conversation with a dear friend and she made the statement, "It must have been just horrible". I had to respond something to the effect of, "It really wasn't. Not for me anyway. Every day, as I closed my eyes, I could feel the power from people's prayers pouring into me. I could see their faces. I felt their love. I've had 18 priesthood blessings. The first telling me that I was going to live through this, with the others giving me specific blessings to get me through whatever I was going through, or what I wanted or needed at that time. I've had personal spiritual experiences that are too sacred to share. It really wasn't as bad as it looked." I have to thank all of you for that. I was so out of it that I thought I was a UN delegate, was left handed, and even called my mother in Utah to tell her I was pregnant! Just to name a few. Talk to Dale and Hillary for the full score on these. Your prayers and good thoughts on my behalf kept me sane. Blessed me. Sustained me. I hope that some day I may be able to repay my debt to you all. Love. Kevin

2010-05-07T15:53:00.001-07:00

Hillary's Trip to Utah

2010-05-07T00:33:00.000-07:00

I was able to break away and visit my relatives in Utah at the end of April. It started off a little rocky when my flight was canceled due to a flat tire. Luckily I was re-routed quickly and still able to make it the same day. I got to spend a few hours in the San Francisco airport where I had a great view of our old hotel and walking path. It is still all too familiar.

The day after I arrived I was able to go and visit my amazingly strong cousin Becky. I apologize up front for the picture Becky. (she was trying to get Aida to smile but she was overwhelmed by strange, new people)

Becky was diagnosed with Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin Lymphoma (cancer) in March. She just finished the 4th of 12 chemo treatments and even thou they kick her butt she is still a wife, mother, researcher and working. Becky is probably one of the strongest people I know and I learn so much from her each time we visit. I wish I would have had more time to spend with her!

I spent some quality time with Grandma Richards as she was healing from a knee injury. After some physical therapy she is feeling better and hopefully will visit us is Paso Robles soon enough. I went to Brianna's Graduation from BYU. What an amazing accomplishment, I'm so jealous!

Brianna wasn't going to let the rain get her down she was just bursting with joy!

Most of the time I was able to visit with my cousin Holly, her incredible son Spencer and adorable Isabelle & Gavin. Spencer was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer, he has a tumor near his brain effecting his facial nerves)

Spencer has a tough battle ahead of him but he's a fighter and has a wonderful sense of humor which has already been a BIG help. It was so wonderful to be with them and witness a small piece of their incredible journey. I love you, you are my Super Spence!

A friend of Holly's makes 'Lolly bags' and was donating proceeds to Spencer's care. My mom quickly ordered one. They make wonderful hospital bags. Here is Melanie with my mom's bag (the green one) and an adorable ruffle bag that I am drooling over!

To checkout her Lolly Bags visit http://www.mylollybags.com/

On Sunday we had a wonderful family dinner and I was having such a good time eating and talking that I didn't take any pictures! I am upset with myself about this, arrgh! The food was phenomenal and the company even better. I am looking forward to a LOT of new positive changes in my life.

Thank you family and friends for a wonderful vacation that you made perfectly relaxing and enjoyable. I can't wait to do it again!

Hillary

HERBICIDE IN PASO ROBLES

2010-04-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

Mass herbicide was committed near two rural residences outside of Paso Robles early last week. One witness reported odd activity around the Richards home late Monday afternoon by a large group of people described as "unusual and cultist". The group is reported to have consisted of as many as twelve men and women as well as two small children according to one source. The group is said to be responsible for the massacre of literally hundreds of thousands of innocent plants that resided around the homes of the Richards family and one Edith Crosby.

Here three of the culprits can be seen. Identified from left to right as Matt Purkiss, Larry Griffith, and Ken Smith.

Several photos were taken by horrified onlookers and some of the individuals that have committed this heinous act of violence against the plants have been positively identified, however none have been apprehended by local law enforcement. One officer has come forward with a few more details but has wished to remain anonymous. He/She said: "While the severity of this act can not be denied we do receive many such reports of violence against plants around this time every year and cannot release any information pertaining to whom we have or have not apprehended including the repeat offenders. While it may come as a shock to many of you that such acts could be committed with such regularity even in your own neighborhood that fact remains that it does happen."

(Margaret Purkiss) "oh the horror!"

Shocking indeed. Even more shocking perhaps is the response given by the Richards family when asked what they would say if they ever had the chance to confront those herbicidal maniacs that had struck just outside their home. They said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Identified Culprits: WANTED

(Top: Dale, Christine, Floyd, Ben, Matt, Margaret, Darrell, Larry, Kathy, Ken, Kevin)

(Bottom: Karla, Trevin & Olivia)

Darrell, on the scene Reporter

A Good Checkup

2010-04-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, and thank you for checking up on us. Dale & I made the trek up to San Francisco yesterday for my belated checkup with Dr. Wolf. After the usual blood draws, we were able to have a very relaxed visit with the good Dr. As a short recap, my cancer already was in complete remission from my chemo treatments before my stem cell transplant on Feb. 28th (which really surprised them due to the extent and aggressive nature of the cancer). IF they blood work shows any cancer present, or the enzymes suggest that it could be happening again, then I'll have to do some more big chemo treatments before they put me on "maintenance". BUT, they don't think that there is or will be a problem with that, so we will likely be able to start the "maintenance" in about a month. Due to my slower recovery from the stem cell transplant, they want me to be stronger before I start the revlimid (rev-le-mid) maintenance drug. This is a low dose chemo pill that is taken once a day. I'll likely be on it for about 2 years. They start out with a real low dose, 10mg, then work up to a 25mg daily dose. Starting lower then working up helps to reduce the side effects as the body adjusts to it, which in turn allows me to be more functional. The Dr, also took me off of the blood pressure medication, so 1 less pill to take. Also, my red blood count was low, so I will be going in to get a blood transfusion from my local oncologist in the next day or two, but all in all I am feeling OK. The Dr. thinks it's a side effect from one of my medications, Dapsome,, so he had me stop that for now as well. We go back in a month for another check-up. So, the great news is that I likely am done with the big chemo stuff.and that I'll be able to resume my more abnormal life again soon. Yipee. Thank you all for your continued love and support. We still need it. And who knows, I might even see you around soon someday.

Wouldn't Ya Know It

2010-04-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

As Dale said in her post, thank you again to all of those who came up the hill to attack the overgrowth. Home teachers and friends (our home teacher's are also our friends!) really did an amazing amount of work. Special thanks to Darrell, Larry and Ken for the extra hours they put in. That's the good news.

As soon as I get some of my immune system back, I GO AND CATCH A COLD. I know. You've gotta be kidding me, right? It started to get me Wednesday, and is in full bloom today. I just hope that I can get over it by Sunday so I can go to church, WITHOUT MAKING EVERYONE ELSE SICK. How's that for a turn of events and a wouldn't ya know it moment.

Otherwise, I am getting a little better every day. Thanks to those who still write and send "get well" cards (and enclose a Lolo's certificate. You know who you are). They really lift my spirit and aid in the "get well" process. I feel very blessed to have so many friends who haven't tired of this whole "get well" process. It ain't over yet, but we are getting closer to an end every day. We'll check in again after our Tuesday visit to San Francisco and my wonderful doctors and care givers. We thank our Heavenly Father for all of you every day in our prayers, and hope that you feel the blessings of your great service and love.

Kevin

How many ways are there to say 'Thank you'?

2010-04-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hillary left for Utah yesterday with the camera and expertise to get photos on to the blog, so I apologize for no photos for a week unless she has time while she is away. When we came home from UCSF we were greeted by weeds as high as 'an elephant's eye' and about as wide everywhere! The kids and I have been digging, whacking, mowing, and raking ever since. On Monday evening a group of our friends from church came and attacked what was left. It's amazing what a group of people can do in a short time all armed with whacking machines! Thank you so much to all who came to help! We have the most wonderful friends! We have received help in so many ways for so long now. We are truly grateful. Hillary took pictures, they will be posted as soon as she is able.

Kevin continues to feel better. His progress is still in baby steps but it is progress and we are all grateful. Without getting too graphic, the 'icky' stuff has stopped and he is able to eat about twice as much as before, which still isn't much but we're getting there. His appetite is returning with some of his energy. He was able to attend Church for the first time on Sunday and that made him so happy. He didn't last the whole three hours as expected but he will work up to that. We are scheduled for a check up in San Francisco next Tuesday. We are interested in what they will plan for the future. There was talk of one or two additional rounds of regular chemo as well as two years of a maintenance chemo which should be tolerable. We will have to wait and see. Until then, thank you all again and again for your prayers, your service and support. We couldn't have come this far without you! We love you and just can't thank you enough! Dale

MORE GOOD NEWS

2010-04-16T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, it's me again. First and foremost, thank you to all of you who still are remembering me in your prayers and thoughts, and those that are still helping us financially. I cry every night as I remember you in my prayers. My heart is so full of gratitude and love for you. You have changed my life forever for the better, and I will NEVER forget your kindness, love and true charity. Thank you.
Hillary's off with a friend from the Ward to help her with her 4 yr. old twins and 2 month old TRIPLETTS! Dale's at Costco and catching up on errands. They left me here with the laptop, so here I go. Hillary's flying off to Utah the middle of next week and is busy getting everything ready at home and work, so I'm going to update the blog myself.
We had a long visit with my local oncologist/hematologist, Dr. Bonis, on Wednesday. From the latest blood tests the results were encouraging. He said that all of my numbers were really good and that my immune system has recovered and is in place and working. That means visitors are now welcome and that I am no longer under house arrest and actually can go out in public, somewhat, cautiously. Hooray.
You know how your car makes a noise, until you take it in to the mechanic? Well, that has kinda been the same thing with my GI tract. I'd had problems with it for the last 6 weeks. Then we go to the Doctor on Weds, who orders a bunch of tests. We go to the lab to get all the stuff, and miracle of miracles (again), no problem since. I've been on a very restrictive diet to keep from having problems, until last night. Last night Dale bbq'd steak, made roasted potatoes and yams and fresh green beans. I HAD SOME OF EVERYTHING AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPERCUSSIONS, yet. I'm waiting, but it's the next afternoon. Normally, like last Sunday where Dale made sweet and sour chicken and rice and I had 1 tiny bite, it came back to haunt me within a couple of hours. We may have turned a BIG corner. It happened overnight, so I'm guessing that between your and our prayers, and the healing power of the Saviour, if I play it right and don't try anything too stupid, I just might have this behind (no pun intended, ok maybe a little pun intended) me. I think this would be the last and biggest hurdle in my recovery from my bone marrow/stem cell replant and huge last chemotherapy. We'll keep you posted.
Thank you all again for all that you've done to encourage and support me over the last nearly 8 months. I love you all. Don't forget to email me at the chemoslobber@gmail site.
KEVIN

Baby Steps

2010-04-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

We are happily still at home. Kevin is making progress. His platelet counts have been coming up continually to the point that we no longer have to go in every other day for a blood draw. I think this is quite remarkable. When we left UCSF they told us it was normal for patients to still need platelets for a week or two and Kevin has not needed any!

On the down side he is still battling the side effect of his February 28th chemo. He was told to expect nausea for as long a two to three months! Par for the course. He wasn't expecting to be plagued by diarrhea this long. That is why we postponed our check up at UCSF. They must not be too concerned as they have not called me back to re-schedule. We see Dr. Bonis here on Wednesday with a fresh set of labs to go over.

I think Kevin is getting a teeny tiny bit better each day or so. He probably doesn't see the progress as readily as we do as he is the one suffering from it, but we do. Today he is feeling tired and resting from a bad night. He matches the weather, which is gloomy and rainy.

I owe many thank yous. I've been so busy since we returned home with chores and such I have put off writing my thank you notes . I apologize and hope to get on it today. My heart is full of gratitude to all of you who are helping us so much and in so many ways. You are always on my mind. Thinking of you all uplifts my spirits and reminds me of the goodness still in the world. Why can't we turn on the news and hear about all the acts of kindness performed each and every day? Until I can personally thank you, thank you!

Love, Dale

No Check Up Yet

2010-04-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

We decided not to go to our check up appointment at UCSF Tuesday because Kevin wasn't up to the trip. The Doctors know about Kevin's residual side affects and are contemplating what they want to do next or how to stop the problems. We will let you know when we hear back but for now we are sitting tight waiting it out crossing our fingers that we don't have to go back to Twin Cities anytime soon.

He has to go into town every other day to have a blood test to see if he need a blood transfusion or platelets. Thankfully since we've been home he hasn't needed either cause the numbers are looking good. Now if we could just get ride of these pesky side effects...
Hillary

Holding My Own

2010-04-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

Although I may not look like I'm doing better, I have medical proof that I am. When they sent me home from UCSF I met with my wonderful local oncologist/hematologist, Dr. Wm. Bonis, who set me up with Mon, Weds, Fri blood tests to primarily monitor my platelets, which is a measure of recovery. In my last post I think I mentioned that the platelets, then digestive system were the last things to recover after the stem cell replant. On the morning of my release from UCSF hospital, they gave me a platelet infusion to boost my numbers. On Mon and Weds the blood tests have shown that my platelets have been holding their own, and it appears that they are even increasing on their own. Therefore, I have not needed to go in for platelet infusions, as the Drs had suspected and planned. Now, if only I could get my digestive tract to come along...

Happy birthday to my mom today. Love you mom.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. We still need them. We have to return to UCSF on Tues for tests.
With much love and appreciation. Kevin

Definately NOT Like A Baby's Bottom

2010-03-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

As you already know, I've had my stem cell replants and didn't do very well in recovering from it. I'm home, and am suffering some side effects as I work on getting stronger. I really don't think that I understood what the process meant to me until May, my last nurse at UCSF explained it to me. I wanted to share with you what she told me. She said, "You are now just like a new born baby. All of your old insides have been destroyed and now you have brand new insides, just like a new baby. You have no immune system, so you have to treat yourself like you would a new born baby. You wouldn't just pass your baby around to anyone. You are careful to gradually expose your baby to the things of the world. You have no digestive system. That is the last thing that will mature in you. So you have to be cautious of what you put in it, like a baby, until it matures. You have to be careful for several months." For some reason, her explanation just hit home. Perhaps it was the timing with the birth of the King's triplets.

So now, after the doctor said, "You are under house arrest for at least a month", it makes sense. And when he said, "and don't go into places where there are groups of people, stores, restaurants, and similar public places, especially where there may be illness, for at least 3 months", it made sense. May then made a statement that she knew I really want to go to church, but can't. So it will be a few more months until I can meet with you at church.

I miss you all so much. I appreciate your continued prayers, cards, emails and text messages. I love you and can't wait until I can see you all again. If you are well and illness free, please consider coming to visit. I can see one or two people for short visits.

With much love and appreciation for all of your support. Kevin

Family Portrait

2010-03-28T20:41:00.001-07:00

We never take family pictures so...

Make your Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com

(Hillary)

Return to the Jungle...

2010-03-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

First of all on Thursday Dale & Hillary FINALLY went to visit with our family camp friends Ben & Leslie in Tracy. It was so much fun playing with there cute kids!

Ethan, Curtis

and the adorable twirling Sara

Leslie baked muffins for us to take home, a much needed home cooked meal and let us do our laundry. It was a great visit with good friends.

On Friday we meet with Dr. Martin for the final all clear to go home. We also meet with the pharmacist to get the latest list of drugs Kevin is taking, yippee.

My best friend Tara came to say goodbye before we headed home.

It is so good to be home and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. It was a perfect day so we all spent it outside because our hill has become an African Jungle while we were gone. Rain + Warm Weather =

Attack of the Weeds!

Darrell weed whacked while Hillary raked up behind him...

Candice mowed...

Mom pulled weeds and....

Dad supervised!

Then we had a family dinner (Grammy included) of Costco lasagna with veggies and watch the Blind Side for the first time.

It was a GREAT day :-)

(Hillary)

WHOO HOOO

2010-03-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

Today he is being released and we are going to head home! We are all so excited to get back home and get outta here. I'm sure he will be exhausted from the ride home so he will probably sleep for the next few days. He has an appointment with Dr Bonis on Monday and may need regular blood & platelet transfusions. We will have to see how it goes.

We have to come back to the clinic is San Francisco on April 6th to determine is Kevin will do heavy chemo for a little bit before he starts taking lower doses of 'maintenance' chemo forever. We are so grateful to be near the end of our first bout with Kevin's Myeloma but this will be a life long battle for Kevin so thank you for your continued support. We love you all SO much!

Hillary

Fill 'em Up

2010-03-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

Kevin is starting to feel a little better. The diarrhea is clearing up but we are hoping it won't go to the other extreme because that could keep us here longer too. He is still having a hard time eating and keeping food down. He eats very little and is still nauseated most of the time even with the drugs.

Today they gave him some more stem cells but without the nasty chemo. This won't make him feel better now but in the long run they will help his counts. Dr. Wolff had talked about this as a possibility last week and Dr. Martin decided they should do it while we were already here. They take about 10 days before they start reproducing. Because they have so many of Kevin's stem cells in the bank, enough for 3 more transplants, they gave him another bag. It is very unlikely that they would ever do 3 more transplants for anyone. 2 more will be pushing it because of how bad Kevin reacted to the transplant and he won't be as young the next time but it is always possible.

Dale & I are hanging in there. A month is a long time to be away from home, Candice, Darrell, Grammy, our friends, my primary class and our cats. We are SO ready for this to be over with but love our daily walks around the bay. As much as we love the staff and have grown to know so many of them well we are ready get outta here. Everyone is so nice and pleasant even Janet our good friend who works in the booth in the parking structure. She is so friendly, we have seen her on and off for the past 6 1/2 months. We bonded when she told us her boyfriends last name is Richards too and have looked forward to her smiles and well wishes each evening as we leave the hospital.

A Chaplain, 2 Elders & An Ex-Bishop Walk Into A Hospital Room

2010-03-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

So the hospital offers spiritual support to it's patients through Chaplains. Kevin has seen many throughout his many visits and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the gospel with them and the miracle's we have seen in these past months. The woman Chaplain that came by Friday mentioned that they have a few that play the guitar and sing if we would like that...heck ya! Mormons love a good sing-a-long, hahaha. Yesterday Aaron came by and the party started. He played and sang 5 or 6 songs and it was a lot of fun for everyone.

Bob Dylan Rolling Stone

Simon & Garfunkel Homeward Bound

Today seemed to be a tinny step backwards, more diarrhea, time with "Pepe la puke," and he still can't eat much. We are so excited to get outta here soon but we also don't want to rush it. We thought that it was about time to get another blessing so we started calling local buildings to see if someone was nearby. A couple hours later Mark & Matt showed up.

Small world I (Hillary) met Matt at a single camp in Sept. it was weird to look up and see a familiar face. We expect Kevin to make some big improvements this week and for us to be home soon because we miss our friends!

Report from the Doctor

2010-03-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

Kevin is finally on the road to recovery. Numbers are looking pretty good, although he will get platelets again today. Once he can eat and they get everything else under control we can go home! We are looking at roughly another week here.

We asked about the looming 2nd transplant Kevin was originally supposed to do but Dr. Wolff doesn't want to put him through this again. He says about 5% of patients react as bad as Kevin, about 5% don't have any reactions and the other 90% have a few bad days but recover quickly. As Kevin says "He's such a wuss they're not doing another one." Doc doesn't want to risk doing that again to Kevin so the "new plan," for now, will be to go home and start maintenance drugs like velcade and revlimid with Dr. Bonis. This is wonderful news because it means that we might be at the end of this cancer for now, HURRAY!!!

Hillary