The Six Hundred Dollar Man

Paul had an appointment with Dr. Hancock this morning. As we suspected, from the increased pain he's felt over the past month, the tumor in his leg has grown from about 3 cm long to over 9 cm. Dr. Hancock outlined several options for treatment:

1) Do nothing, but run the risk of Paul suffering a catastrophic fracture in his femur - not good.

2) Remove the diseased portion of the bone, replacing it with some combination of donor bone/metal rod/prosthetic bone/screws.

3) Interleukin - a treatment that utilizes the body's own defenses to attack the cancer - this may not be effective on tumors in the bone.

4) More of the same chemotherapy that Paul had earlier in the year - yuck!

Dr. Hancock is working on getting Paul an appointment with Dr. Randall, a Sarcoma Surgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute. He is among the best in the country. We'll let you know what we learn from the consultation.

Update: Paul and I will be going to Huntsman on Wednesday. We will meet with Dr. Kevin Jones, who is a partner of Dr. Lor Randall's.

We have a PET/CT scan on the 7th of October. This should give us a clear picture of how well the Temodar is working at keeping the cancer from spreading to other areas of Paul's body. We know it isn't very effective against cancer inside of his bones.

After we finished talking with Dr. Hancock, Paul had a Zometa infusion. One of the nurses asked how things were going and he told her what we had learned. Paul commented that the doctors would probably take out the cancerous bone and replace it with a "bionic leg." He said, "I'll be the Six Hundred Dollar Man." I love that he is able to keep a sense of humor in spite of the pain and suffering he has endured. He is the strongest person I know.

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Yesterday in church Paul was released as Young Men's President and I was released as Scout committee chair and Advancement chair. Paul is now a Ward Missionary and I am responsible for the Ward Bulletin each week, and am the Ward Historian as well. I also resigned my job as office manager. The combination of family, school, church and work was becoming more than I wanted to juggle. So the last thing on was the first thing off.

Parker has been invited to become a member of the National Honor Society. We are very proud of him. He has worked hard in school and is reaping the dividends. He will be working for a neighbor during Spud Harvest, so no motorcycle rides for him during the break. I guess it will just be Paul and the three younger boys, since I will be in school the whole time. I suppose I could play hooky...stay tuned.

Hayden earned his Star rank in Scouts. He's going to the merit badge Pow Wow at BYU-I in November, bringing him one merit badge closer to Eagle. Cameron earned his Bear rank in Cub Scouts and he and Jacob have been busy practicing for the Primary program.

I've been tagged!

10 years ago:
1) I was ten years younger.
2) I was recovering from giving birth to my fourth son.
3) I was in worse shape than today.

Today's TO DO List:
1) Get up at 6:30 a.m., shower, dress
2) Ride on hot, noisy school bus with seventy screaming seventh graders to Idaho Falls and back (INL Science Expo)
3) Wait on said school bus in parking lot of Middle School until grumpy male teacher decides everyone is "quiet enough" to be allowed to disembark (this really happened)
4) Get some "Work" work done
5) Fix dinner (I'm thinking take-out)
6) Go to bed

Favorite Snacks:
1) Chocolate anything, except cake (weird, I know)
2) Fresh fruit, especially nectarines and apricots
3) Mother's Taffy Cookies dunked in milk
4) Homemade Cracker Jack popcorn

If I were a millionaire:
1) I'd add on to our home
2) Put money in savings
3) Buy a red Pontiac Solstice, convertible, of course
4) Or an Audi TT would be okay, too
5) Share

I have lived in:
1) North Ogden, Utah
2) Napa,California
3) Carson City, Nevada
4) North Ogden, Utah
5) Ogden, Utah
6) Fort Morgan, Colorado
7) Colorado Springs, Colorado
8) Rexburg, Idaho

Jobs:
1) Babysitter
2) Carpet Cleaner
3) Office Cleaner
4) Nut House employee (really)
5) Weber State Reserve library assistant
6) First Security Bank - mailroom; collections department
7) Office manager
8) Mother
9) Part time student

I tag:
Deaun
Kareena A.
Sherry

Deja Vu

OUCH! My arm!

I've been looking forward to taking my new bike for a spin, so Paul, Hayden, Jacob and I went for a ride near Island Park on Saturday. Since Parker hasn't been released by his doctor to get back on his motorcycle, he stayed home. Cameron chose to keep him company. The weather was perfect. We made a big loop, going from the Osborne Bridge east towards Island Park Scout Camp, then south along the old rail bed, before heading back west to where we started.


The ride was fun, with a few exceptions: dirty contacts and bruised kidneys. I solved the first problem by popping out the offending lens and washing it, trail side, with eye drops. Putting it back in was tricky without a mirror, but sunglasses worked in a pinch.

In regards to the second problem, I might have exaggerated just a tiny bit, and the solution is rather controversial. Let me explain. The rail bed we rode on was horribly rutted and washboardy (is that even a word?), leading to a very jarring ride. The condition of the trail can easily be attributed to irresponsible ATV riders. To resolve this issue, I propose that the dirt bike riders of the world unite in an effort to have 4-wheelers banned from public lands (that sounds so elitist!). I apologize to all the responsible ATV riders out there.


BIKERS RULE!





In spite of the minor setbacks, we had a great day. We brought lunch and enjoyed a few hours in our beautiful "backyard."


My new bike - pretty, isn't it? (I know, only a girl would say that about a piece of machinery).


Photographic proof that I really can ride.


We had to ride on the pavement for part of the way. This was Jacob's most, and my least, favorite part. Don't get me wrong, it was fun, but I kept having images of one of the kids wiping out flash through my mind. Paul reassured me they would be more likely to crash while on the dirt trail (thanks for the comforting thought). I guess the secret is to not think about all the things that could go wrong, just enjoy the experience.


Paul stretching his legs.


Oh, and by the way, the first picture with my arm in a splint - fake. Only the head is mine. We all made it home in one piece.

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Paul spoke in Sacrament meeting today. If the number of people crying at the end of a talk is an accurate indication of its power and effectiveness, you could say Paul hit a home run. He shared some of the things he has learned through the experiences of the past year. It was a great talk, and I'm not just saying that because I love the man and have a vested interest in his happiness.

The Need for Speed

Parker celebrated his seventeenth birthday with a trip to Teton Spectrum Raceway, an indoor go cart track. We thought about going for a motorcycle ride, but decided that Parker's arms needed more recovery time before we put them to any sort of physical test. Maybe next weekend. Paul bought me a motorcycle, a Honda CRF 150. It's a little bigger than my old one, but still a manageable size.


After the boys finished racing go carts and playing video games, Paul took Hayden, Cameron and Jacob home while Parker and I went shopping for clothes...mind you, this was at Parker's request. He has a unique sense of style, to say the least.
Click on the picture so you can read what the shirt says.






The boys have been back in school for three weeks. My classes begin tomorrow. I am taking a British Literature class (yea!) and a general science class, as well as an online English Major/Career exploration class.

I think we're beginning to see positive results from the Neuronton that Paul has been taking. He says his leg doesn't hurt quite as much as it initially did. He's scheduled for a second MRI later this month. His next PET scan will be in October.

Bear Attacks Carling Family!

On Saturday, we went to Grand Targhee to have a picnic and get our family pass for the coming ski season. Cameron and Jacob had a close encounter with a grizzly bear (notice Jacob's missing forearm).


Cameron ran...



but wasn't quite fast enough to escape.


After riding Dreamcatcher chairlift up the hill,



we hiked to a spot where we'd have a view of the Tetons while we ate lunch.





It was very windy at the top, but the view was fabulous!





Now all we need is half a dozen monster-size snowstorms, and we're set.
Bring it on!

Apples, anyone?

Okay. I know I shouldn't complain about an abundant harvest, but this is ridiculous! We spent an hour and a half after Family Night on Monday picking up apples off the ground. No kidding, we hauled off at least six or seven wheelbarrow loads to the burn pile in back.



This lovely century-old apple tree of ours is self-thinning, which is a blessing and a curse. The boys are ready to go George Washington on me! (I guess that was a cherry tree, though). I remind them how much they like dried apples, applesauce and fruit leather, but they still moan and groan about having to pick up mushy apples. We could spend an hour every day and still not keep up!




I love Utah drivers, really...

This morning I had a huge "adrenalin moment" while going to Rigby. I was on Highway 20, driving through the never-ending "Your Tax Dollars at Work" (minus any visible workers) Construction Zone, when I glanced ahead and noticed a Highway Patrol car parked in the median. I checked my speed and decided to bring it down a few clicks. I was decelerating as I passed. Imagine my horror when I looked up to see flashing red and blue lights in my rear view mirror! Inwardly cursing my lead-footed tendency, I made my way through the cones to the outside lane, mentally preparing for the inevitable trauma to my bank account. Meanwhile, Idaho's finest passed me by, eager for bigger quarry...a UTAH driver...Hallelujah! I made my way back into traffic, vowing to set my cruise control and smiling as I passed my less fortunate neighbor and the officer who waved to me in what seemed like an "Idaho Rules!" sort of way.



After five and a half long weeks, Parker got the casts off his arms! No more rubber gloves, bread bags, and duct tape ritual before every shower. No more disgustingly dirty hands (well, in a perfect world, anyway). No more unreachable itches. No more, "I can't, I have two broken arms" excuses!

Paul started on a new medicine that we hope will help relieve the pain he has been having in his leg. He had radiation treatment for the bone pain. That is much better now, but it has been replaced by a different kind of pain, possibly involving nerves. His next PET/CT scan will be October 7. The insurance company didn't blink when asked to OK the $5,000 photo session, but we are still waiting for the go-ahead on a $500 MRI so we can see what's going on with Paul's leg. We hope to get approval and have the MRI today. We'll keep you posted.

School is in full swing and everyone is settling back into the routine: homework, reading, making lunches, reasonable bedtimes, etc. Life is good!

The play's the thing...

About two weeks ago, I indulged my inner literary geek by going to the Utah Shakespeare Festival with my sister, Darla. We had a great time, in spite of being adrift in a sea of white-haired septuagenarians - no offense, Mom and Dad.
Besides seeing three awesome plays - Fiddler on the Roof, Taming of the Shrew, Othello; and one questionable play - School for Wives (what can I say, it's French), we took a backstage tour of the two theaters,





and attended the Wooden O Symposium where my English professor was presenting a lecture on the final project he had assigned our class at BYU-I. My paper was among those he brought to share with the teachers at the conference.

We also went for an early-morning hike in Cedar Breaks National Monument. Who knew summer could be so chilly at 10,500 feet? We just hiked faster to get warm. Problem solved.




We plan to go to the festival again next year. I especially want to see Henry V, the play that I based my final project on. We know what to do: morning-after discussions on the green, and what to bring: sweatshirts and blankets for outdoor performances, where the best place to eat is: the Pastry Pub (awesome sandwiches and salads), where we'd stay: closer to campus, and who we'd invite to come along with us: applications are now being accepted, only true Shakespeare fans need apply.

Happy Birthday, Indiana Carling

Cameron wanted an Indiana Jones theme party this year. He invited a couple friends to join him on his adventure.



The day began with Cameron opening a mysterious package.



Inside were "Grail diaries" for each of the guests; Cameron's contained a map and a clue to get them started on their quest:

If gold idols are
what you adore,
Set a course
for Ecuador.




In the spider-infested jungles of Ecuador, they discovered a gold idol and another clue:

China is where
you must begin,
If the Lost Ark
you seek to win.




In China, they found a medallion and this clue:

Off to India
you must go,
To learn the thing
you want to know.





India brought danger in the form of a giant python and other deadly snakes guarding the next clue:

Buried in Egyptian sand
You'll find a treasure close at hand.





When they dug up the Ark, they found the next clue:


Beneath the city of Rome
you'll find a clue,
In a dark catacomb
that's meant for you.



Inside the Knight's tomb was the following clue:

Searching for
the Grail Cup?
Be careful when
you pick it up.



The Grail Temple was where they found their last clue:

One final treasure
waits for you
Riches beyond measure
A dream come true.

With an extra hint from their guide, they found the secret location of the last treasure, the fort. There they found Indiana Jones coloring books and some candy.





Hungry after a day of treasure hunting, they stopped for a lunch of pizza, bread sticks and Sprite. Then Cameron opened presents.


He loved all of them. Following some python wrestling, the boys went home to rest up for their next great adventure.




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On a bittersweet note, Paul's Grandma Sharp passed away on Wednesday. She was 92 years old. Her funeral will be held on Saturday in Rigby.

"Did I work today?"

Attention All Perpetual Worriers: HE'S OKAY, REALLY!

After working on Tuesday from 6:00 a.m. until noon, Parker and his friend Mason decided to go for a motorcycle ride near Kelly Canyon. Parker loaded the 225 in the back of Paul's truck, picked Mason and his bike up and headed for the hills around 5 o'clock. Paul and Tyler were working in Jackson, Jacob and I were at his soccer game and Cameron and Hayden were home. Just after 6:00 p.m., I got a phone call from Paul. He said that Mason had called Tyler (he didn't have Paul's or my number) to let us know Parker had crashed on his bike, was acting weird and wondered what he should do. Paul told him to get him home. Mason made sure Parker would be okay, rode down to the truck, then drove it back up to the crash site to get Parker, since he was unable to ride. He loaded Parker's motorcycle into the truck by himself, leaving his own bike behind. He called me to say they were on their way (thank you!). They pulled in the driveway just as Paul and Tyler got home. Tyler and Brandi stayed with the boys while Paul and I took a pretty beat-up Parker to the doctor.


We went to Community Care, but they sent us to the emergency room so Parker could have a CT of his head.


Everything looked normal, all brain matter intact - good thing, since school starts in less than 30 days (YIPPEE!!!) Did I say that out loud?

Here's the damage report:

Mild Concussion - very apparent from his repeated asking of the same questions over and over:

"Did I work today?"
"What day is it?"
"Did Mason work with me today?"
"Did I crash?"
I was supposed to wake Parker up every four hours during the night to make sure he was okay, but I didn't set an alarm. Fortunately, Cameron was clever enough to wake me up at 2 o'clock in the morning to ask for a bucket to throw up in, so I woke Parker up then. Mission accomplished.

Impacted Buckle Fracture of Right Wrist - this sounds worse than it is. He's got a splint on it until tomorrow, when we go to the Orthopedic surgeon to have a cast put on. The ER doc had me help her put the splint on, so I now have even more practical experience as a Medical Assistant! Click on the picture for a larger view. There is a yellow arrow that points to the fracture, but it's still quite hard to see.


Miscellaneous lacerations and contusions - no stitches required. I'm sure more bruises will show up as time passes.

Mystery burn on Right Calf - we've no idea how he got it, since the bike was resting on his left leg.

Very swollen Left Knee



Puffy, swollen bulges on both feet - weird, but painless

Stiff Neck - no broken bones, though


As you can see, he's fine; so no need to worry (this means you, Grandma).

We're grateful that the extent of his injuries wasn't more serious. He was wearing a helmet - that is non-negotiable. And we're thankful that the Mason Jensen Rescue Service was able to get him back home quickly and safely.



Paul update
Here is the x-ray of Paul's femur. It's difficult to tell, but the lesion is somewhere in the middle.


The radiation treatment went well. He isn't having quite as much constant pain, but there's still room for improvement. He started another round of oral chemo on Monday, which is never fun, but this round seems to be particularly unpleasant. As usual, he toughs it out without much complaining.


Parker update
We just got home from seeing the Orthopedic surgeon. They were having a two-for-one sale on casts, so Parker got one on both arms. Really.



It turns out that his left wrist is broken, too. The break is up near the growth plate, so it was hard to see. He will go back in about 2 weeks and have both arms x-rayed again to make sure nothing has shifted and to confirm the diagnosis on the left wrist. Parker is taking it all in stride. The only thing that might be a problem is figuring out how to shower for the next 5 weeks.