Looking forward to Spring

I know the title may seem a little strange right off (it being the week of Christmas and all) if you are not aware what is going on in our family.

Last April, Kenneth had a debilitating episode we thought originated with a gallbladder dysfunction. After a sonogram and visits with two gastroenterologists, they couldn't find anything. In September, Kenneth developed a persistent cough. At first he thought it was lingering from a cold. The nurse at work thought it might be due to the drier climate here in the West; his body was adjusting. When it continued and he was having trouble sleeping at night lying down, he finally went to a doctor in November to get it checked out. The doctor figured he had walking Pneumonia and prescribed an antibiotic. We were so thankful to FINALLY have this taken care of!! After 10 days of the antibiotic, it was evident that nothing had improved. Kenneth decided to get another opinion. This time, the second doctor's thought was that it might be severe acid reflux related to an ulcer. Huh?!? (His blood work showed that he was anemic.) She did, however, order a CT scan since the x-ray just didn't seem right. Nine days ago a CT scan was done.

Eight days ago, I was walking through Costco and got a call on my phone from Kenneth's Doctor. Kenneth was at the doctor's office but couldn't talk on the phone. I was informed that he has Stage 3 Lymphoma. I nearly lost it before I was able to compose myself enough to actually ask some questions. Lymphoma is cancer of the Lymph system- which I didn't even know until this experience. I quickly left the store, picked up the girls at Preschool and met a sobbing Kenneth back at home. It was a rough morning to say the least. We felt such despair. We had no idea what this really meant and were so afraid these might be some of our last days with Kenneth. Over the next couple of days, we shed more tears than we ever had before. Our poor children have never seen their parents cry so much! Emma kept asking why we had so many tears.

This past week has been filled with CT scans, biopsies, blood work, echocardiograms, PET scans, and Dr.'s appointments. It has been such a whirlwind and one that I would never wish on anyone. Knowledge is power, however, and with the tests came some answers and some reassurances. As of late this afternoon, Kenneth has been officially diagnosed with Stage 3, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, growing at an intermediate rate. It has not moved into any organs, which was very good news. The Oncologist says it is a 'garden variety' Lymphoma; highly treatable with a very sunny prognosis. He feels very optimistic that with an 18-week run of Chemotherapy (6 rounds), Kenneth will be able to get this into remission and very possibly be completely cured.

Today, the Oncologist also performed a Bone Marrow Biopsy. (Talk about feeling like you had a swift kick in the pants!!) We don't have the results from that yet, but the Doctor is hopeful that the cancer has not moved there; it was more a precautionary measure. If the cancer is also found there, it bumps him up to Stage 4 and means more measures will have to be taken in order to get this under control.

From day one, we have been overwhelmed with the love, faith and prayers which have been poured out to us and on our behalf. Kenneth's sister organized a family fast last Sunday, which extended out to include over 100 people. Kenneth's name has been put on Prayer roles in at least 10 temples. We have felt peace come over us these last few days that was bestowed because of the faith of others. We have also been overwhelmed by the love and support shown to us by our ward and preschool friends here in California. We have someone organizing all the babysitting so we don't even have to think about it. We have had people bring us meals and offer to do everything from laundry to yard work and everything in between. The power of prayer is real. Thank you to all of you for your continued prayers on our behalf.

One of the worst symptoms for Kenneth (and the one that prompted Kenneth to find out what REALLY was going on inside of him) is a horrible cough. We now know that the cough is due to a large amount of fluid around the right lung which is compressing the lung to only 1/3 of its capacity. Needless to say he is having a horrible time with this cough. (Kenneth has been sleeping in the recliner 98% of the time for the last 2 1/2 months because he simply cannot breathe lying down.) Well, tomorrow, he will have that fluid removed through an outpatient procedure. The doctor figures there is about 2 liters of fluid to be removed! We are excited to have that happen so Kenneth can relax and enjoy the Christmas weekend.

Monday, he will begin Chemo therapy. No, it will not be fun, but we are very hopeful that it will be the means of returning him to good health. We are thankful that Kenneth's sister and brother will be able to come out this week and next to spend time with us and to help us out.

Through this week, we have found so many things to be thankful for. Some of the things on are mind are:

• The true meaning of the Christmas season- hope, faith and love born of our Savior
• A Heavenly Father who sees fit to try us and help us become who we need to be
• A Savior who has descended below all things that He might know how to succor us
• Friends and family who support us
• The power of fasting and prayer
• Doctors and researchers who dedicate their lives to helping others
• The fact that Kenneth completed his Masters degree just days before this diagnosis
• The peace of the gospel; knowing that no matter what happens we will be together forever
• The peace that comes through the scriptures and the hymns
• The fact that I am NOT pregnant at this time like I have been at this stage of my baby's life
• The kindness and generosity of Kenneth's mangers and coworkers (The same morning of the bad news came the offer for permanent employment here. We had been so worried about whether or not he could/should accept the offer given his diagnosis. They have been amazing and encouraging. They told him to take as much time off as he needed to return to health.)

So, we are looking forward to Spring. This will definitely be a period of 'Winter' in our lives. But, no matter how cold the Winter, Spring always comes.

Neal A Maxwell said:

"God, as a loving Father, will stretch our souls at times. The soul is like a violin string; it makes music only when it is stretched (Eric Hoffer). God will tutor us by trying us because He loves us, not because of indifference."