Detours, Directions, & Discouragement

With the year round road construction that happens in the state of Utah, we have become very familiar with the Detour sign. Its one that can cause tremendous frustration as well as delayed arrival to a desired destination. It can also give someone the opportunity to travel roads and see sights that they may have missed had they hurried on their way. It appears that we have just run into one of those signs in regards to Madeline's treatment. For a little over a week Madey has been experiencing some unexplained back pain. As she checked into the hospital Monday, to take care of her next chemo treatment, the doctor thought it would be a good idea for Madey to have an MRI, the result was another tumor. Most likely the same type of tumor she had in her pelvis, this time it is attached to one of her vertebrae. Our detour has led us back to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for five radiation treatments that will hopefully reduce the size of the tumor and provide relief to Madeline's back. Madey had her first radiation treatment on Wednesday. She received a lot of hugs from the employees there, they missed her amazing smile, but were sad to see her return under these circumstances. After she finishes radiation we will wait a couple of weeks and then run more scans before meeting with doctors to determine the best route for our continued journey.
Like most detours this one has been discouraging and unwanted, but as we move forward in the journey we know that there will be new sights and experiences that will hopefully enhance our trip. Its okay from time to time to get off the beaten path and look around, their might be an unexplored waterfall, a new landscape, or even a Moose.
While talking to Madey about her feelings, she said "it feels a lot like a hike we took while camping at Tony Grove a few years ago, every time I got tired you told me to keep walking because the lake might be just around the next bend and what a shame if we quit now and miss it. Once we reached the top of the mountain we realized we had to still climb down the mountain and through the valley...it was a long hike. " We eventually found the lake, it was pretty and worth the hike, mostly because we were all hiking together. The walk back had its challenges but since we knew the path and where it led we were more than happy to walk it.
We continue to have faith, hope, and courage and we walk this under explored trail. But we know that with the faith and prayers of others we will be strengthened, supported, and lifted on our journey.

Finally Seeing the Light

Madey just completed chemo treatment number 12, that means we only have two left! I think the only thing that would make her smile more is knowing she was already done. But enduring to the end is part of the plan and so we continue. It was sure nice to get her home for General Conference weekend. Madey and Michelle watched the first two sessions in the hospital but were able to come home about the time George left for Priesthood. It was a wonderful weekend, not only to listen to the words and counsel of living Prophets and Apostles, but be surrounded by our children and feel that sense of peace that comes from having everyone together, there really is no feeling quite like it.

Life hasn't been all about hospital visits and trials as of late. We were able to take the family to Logan a couple of weeks ago where we spent time swimming, picnicking, and attending church with Lindy @ her student ward. It was sure fun to see our kids playing in the hotel pool together, Madey especially had a great time with her little cousin Avery. As usual she felt at home and 'normal' in the water. Madey also took time to go to Utah county with George to visit her Grandma Slaughter and attend the BYU vs. Nevada game. It was a lot of fun being back at the stadium eating popcorn and cheering for the Cougars, even if they aren't very good (tear). Part way through the game Madey asked George to buy her some blue hair, he told her only if she wore it for the rest of the game, so they wandered down to the Cougar Den and found her a wig of blue hair, which she wore proudly for the remainder of the game.

It has been a long journey which isn't quite done yet, but we can see the glow of the light at the end of the tunnel and we are so grateful for the goodness of God, His healing hand, and the blessings of family and friends that continue to demonstrate their love and support for us in so many ways.

Thanks

Madey, Music, and Miracles

There are ups and downs to everything we do in life and the answers we seek are not always the answers we get. Sometimes we go into an experience with a certain well defined expectation both for ourselves and the Lord and come away with something not completely unfamiliar of what we had in mind. And yet there is still rejoicing for the all encompassing goodness of God.
Last Friday and Saturday Madey received her 11th Chemo treatment (only 3 more to go!) she also had an MRI, CT Scan, and Bone Density scan done to determine what is going on in this battle with cancer. Here is what we learned, Madey's pelvic bone and hip area where the cancer did the most damage is re-growing itself and the blood flow to that area has increased. The cancer continues to shrink and will shrink even more with the final 3 Chemo treatments. There is still an affected area in her pelvis, but due to the radiation and chemo that area is inactive. So what does that mean? It means that once Madey is done with these last 3 chemo sessions she is done (Yeah Baby!). Doctors will continue to monitor the affected area by doing scans every 3 months, but chances are the cancer will remain inactive but Madey will not! As soon as she gets clearance she would like to start training to get herself in shape to play softball and basketball.
Madey continues to have positive experiences and be a positive example to those around her. A week or so ago she attended her seminary class, inspite of her teacher (dad), and since it was early in the term students were asked to bring to class an item that helps define who they are. Madey chose to bring her guitar and sing for her class. It was quite an awesome site as this cute sophmore girl with no hair, unzipped her guitar case, introduced herself, and began playing a favorite Taylor Swift song for kids she hardly knew. There was quite the feeling of awe in the room, and the applause after was both genuine and heart felt. George has said several times since then, "I wish I'd had my video camera." The comments from the other students were awesome, one girl said, "I don't even like Taylor Swift, but you are amazing!"
We are well aware that there is still more to do for full healing and recovery, but we are grateful for how far Madey has come and encouraged as we run the last few miles of this mararthon. We are so thankful for all the love, support, and prayers of so many.

Four More - -

We seem to be in countdown mode, only four more chemo sessions for Madey! (can I get a whoot whoot!) Although there is still much for her to endure we feel like we are finally beginning to see the proverbial 'light at the end of the tunnel'. Madey completed her 10th chemo treatment a week ago Friday. It was a long 5 day stay and her recovery time at home was short lived. She began feeling sick last week and by Wednesday evening was running a fever of about 103 degrees. Which meant we got to go to the emergency room. They kept Madey at Primary Children's until Saturday afternoon, she is now home resting and receiving 'mom care' which is the best care. We hope to get her feeling well enough to attend some school, in the meantime she will continue to do her assignments from home.
While Madey and Michelle were in the hospital, George and Landon went on a campout with the 11year old scouts. They left Friday about 3:30 pm and headed up Ogden canyon to spend the night. There were 3 leaders and 4 boys. Around 5:45 pm, the boys had just finished setting up their tents and George along with one of the other leaders (Mitch) were trying to string up a tarp to keep the rain off everyone, when Mitch hurt his ankle. After hobbling over to the picnic table and getting seated to rest his leg, the wind began to blow and one of the boys tents began to fly away, several of the boys who had been sitting next to Mitch ran after the tent, George went to help them. A micro burst of wind came whistling though the camp and George looked up as he heard a loud crack and saw the top of a cottonwood tree snap off and begin to fall, he yelled "look out" when the large portion of tree crashed down on Mitch's head and narrowly missed Landon. Part of the tree was full of bees which began stinging George, Mitch, and some of the boys, I think Landon was stung twice, while George received about 8 stings. The boys hurriedly climbed into one of the tents to wait out the storm, while George and the other leader Rob, lifted the tree off Mitch. They then put Mitch in the suburban and Rob drove him closer to Pineview where he was met by EMS from Ogden City and Weber county, they then transported Mitch to the hospital where he received 4 staples in his head. If you want to see pictures you can view Mitch's blog at the bottom of this post. After Rob left with Mitch, George went to check on the boys in their tent, when he asked them how they were doing they replied by telling him they had been sharing happy thoughts about Brother Dorius and taking turns offering prayers for him. Needless to say George had a hard time not crying because of the innocent and faithful gestures of these young scouts. Not only was the campout a small disaster, but the boys still need to meet their scout requirement for sleeping in a tent.
We hope for a less eventful week, but continue to be grateful for the many blessings we enjoy in our lives because of the Gospel of Christ and the many people that watch out for our family.
http://www.mitchandstacie.blogspot.com/

Treatment Timeout

After completing 31 radiation treatments, and another session of chemotherapy we decided it was time for a break. We loaded up the suburban and took the family to Island Park, ID and spent some time fishing, floating the river, exploring Yellowstone National Park, and of course poking sticks in the campfire. It was a nice break and time seemed to stand still while we were there. Wildlife viewing was great, we saw about 7 Moose in Island Park, lots of Elk and Bison in Yellowstone, and a bald eagle fishing near us on the river. It was a lot of fun to watch the kids taking pictures and laughing in the car, it actually felt like we were normal again. George's nephew was a great tour guide and we are grateful to George's brother for the use of his cabin, I don't think we could have made the trip other wise. We also really enjoyed being with other family members while we were there. If you noticed and extra human in the pictures, that is Lindy's fiance Cameron, yes we are planning a wedding in the midst of all of this (As if it wasn't crazy enough already). All joking aside, he is a nice guy and we are very happy for the two of them.

When we got back it was time for a little reality check, Madey and Hillary went to the High School and picked up their class schedules and had yearbook pictures taken, there is definitely some nervous excitement on Madey's part about starting High School and still trying to finish cancer treatments. So far the school has been great to work with. George will meet with all of her teachers next week so they are aware of Madey's situation. With all of that taken care of Madey received a blood transfusion on Friday and will start her next round of Chemotherapy on Monday the 16th of August, it will most likely sideline her for first week of school, but we know with each passing treatment we are that much closer to finishing this fight and helping Madey become cancer free.