MEDICAL TESTS & MORE CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS

We arrived home on Monday, October 1, and I had tests on Wednesday, October 3, – blood tests, a CT scan and an MRI.  They all went well with the MRI being easier than usual.  Two days later on Friday, October 5, we met with Dr. Homsi to get the results.  He prefaced his findings with the fact that he had both good and bad news.  The good news is that my lungs are clear, and the bad news is that the tumor in my leg has grown since the last MRI. He presented three options and wanted to know my feelings.  They were to resume the chemotherapy with one chemo drug, to resume with the two chemo drugs or to have the tumor removed surgically.  I told him that I had no interest in surgery, as I had gone through that three times only to have the tumor return each time.  His recommendation is to have a couple of treatments with the one chemo drug then have tests again to see if it is working.  I will begin this Wednesday then have another treatment in four weeks.  We trust Dr. Homsi’s judgment and were reassured with all of the wonderful conference messages that Heavenly Father is aware of any trials that we may be experiencing.  Sometimes I get tired of the rigmarole, but for the most part I am very grateful that I can enjoy life and function as well as I do. 

 We were thrilled with General Conference and with the announcement of the age change for missionaries.  We have a grandson, Josh Peterson (BYU), and a granddaughter, Kylee Garn (BYUI), who both became instantly eligible to serve missions.  They were both planning on missions, so it will just change the timing, especially for Kylee who turned 19 in September.  

 

UTAH VACATION -- NEW BRIGHAM CITY TEMPLE, ETC.

 

We spent the month of September (my least favorite month in Arizona) in Utah this year. The weather was perfect, and we were doted on by family and friends. We love and appreciate them so very much. I was a little worried about being gone that long, but it was delightful. As part of that, Daryl had his 55^th high school class reunion of which he was the chairman. It was very casual, and everyone seemed to enjoy time to visit and reconnect. He also got in some good rounds of golf and participated in a golf tournament.

A highlight was the opportunity to attend the Brigham City Temple Open House, the dedication and then a session on the second day it was open. It is absolutely beautiful in every detail. I will have to admit that like Elder Christensen talked about in his conference address, I was noticing all of the moldings, peach blossom motifs, beveled glass windows, marble floors, etc. I didn’t want to miss anything. We felt very blessed to be a part of all of those events.  We were also able to attend the Rexburg, Logan and Bountiful Temples.

Brigham City Utah Temple -- Dedicated September 23, 2012

Notice the peach blossom motif in the circles.

Brigham City Tabernacle -- across from the new temple

 

Taken from the window of Scott & Sydne Parker's home in Bountiful, Utah.

At home in the yard

We enjoyed peaches, corn and tomatoes practically every day.  Daryl and my sister, Norma.

The charm of Tremonton, Utah!

 

 

Our plants and flowers flourished while we were gone.  Below are a few pictures.  I will have to admit that I got carried away!

 

 

 

The sweet potato plant is taking over the furniture!