HAIR!!

You can't see it, but my  hair is growing back in the areas that were radiated last summer.  They told me that it would never grow back!  When I showed it the nurse who is in charge of my case she said that she had never seen hair that has been radiated grow back.  She has heard of it, but never seen it.  My granddaughter, Shae prays every night that her grandpa's hair will grow back. I can only suppose that it is a miracle that it is growing back due to the prayers of my granddaughter.  I only hope that it causes Shae and my other grandchildren to see the power of prayer. It may seem like a small thing to us, but it is a big thing to my granddaughter.  Roma is glad to see the fur on my head too!
Now for an update:  I have been feeling really good the past 2 weeks.  I have been going to  physical therapy twice a week and Matt and Emily provided a recumbent trainer bicycle so I could do some aerobic at home as well as weight training. That has been such a help for me to increase my strength.  Last week we had a little set back. I  had another small seizure on Tuesday night.  It affected mostly my face and my right arm to a lesser degree.  I was tired for a day, but quickly recovered except for my speech and I will have to continue to work on that.  My home teacher, Larry Tucker and Joe Folkman gave me a blessing that was appreciated.  It brought peace to our hearts and confidence that the Lord is watching out for us.
We received good news.  Jodi and Dave will have another baby this summer.  With Nate and Shelly due the end of the month it will bring us to 17 grandchildren.  We love our kids and grandkids so much.  They bring such joy into our lives and life wouldn't be as full without them.  We appreciate all our friends and neighbors and family do for us.  We couldn't ask for anything more.  The Lord has truly blessed our lives.

Christmas and other GOOD news

Owen and his dad and mom came to spend Christmas Eve with us.

Santa is on his way!

Nate, Owen and Shelly,  cute family!

The cousins had a blast together at the condo in Park City, generously donated by the Sandersons.

The three smallest kept everyone busy.  Notice the sleeping grandpa in the back ground!  

My oldest granddaughter, Riley, gave me a special present  that brought tears to everyone's eyes.  

Grandkids are the best!!!

First of all for the GOOD news.  I had a doctors appt. last week and they were concerned about my cancer, so they did a MRI.  I received the results on Monday.  There was no need for concern.  The MRI was clear.  I had been suffering from fatigue and weakness, that is why they wanted to check things out. The Dr. decided that the chemo and steroids might be causing the fatigue.  He has lowered the dose on the chemo and I no longer take steroids.  If he is right I should gain more energy over time which really pleases us.
We spent a pleasant Christmas in our home.  Nate and his family came over and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with us.  It was a marvelous time.  We had planned on spending Christmas with the Randall's in St. George but my health wouldn't allow that. (I developed early stages of pneumonia and pleurisy)  The week between Christmas and New Years we had all the children except David and his family here.   The Sanderson family generously donated their condo in Park City for a few days.  We had a very fun time.  We exchanged gifts between families an had devotionals each night and generally had a great time.  The cousins love each other and are always excited to be together.  And we are excited to have them here.  Emily, after the Park City experience was able to spend an extra week with us and we got to love our Virginia grandkids even longer.
We want to thank you for all the cards, gifts, and other generous donations we have received.  They are truly appreciated.  We have been shown the love of the Savior through our family, friends, and neighbors.  Our trial has been made bearable by the kindness of you all.

Merry Christmas

Roma and I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for all the love and prayers that we have felt during this year.  It has been a tough year made easier by the love we have felt from you.  We have received so many blessings because of this trial.  You, through your goodness have shown the love of Christ through your actions.  You are truly ministering angels.  We hardly have a day go by without a token of love from our neighbors, family and friends.  Thank you.

The word has gone out that I have pneumonia.  We went to the Dr. Tuesday feeling like I had the flu.  The Dr. concurred and gave me some antibiotics in case it was bacterial. He listened to my chest and and couldn't hear anything. On the way home I developed  extreme pain under my rib cage.  I thought it was a gas bubble, but it wouldn't go away.  It subsided enough to sleep that night, but the pain came back Wednesday. We called the Dr. and the Dr. said Roma quit jumping on Paul's chest, joke. He actually said to come down for a chest X-ray. Sure enough, they discovered the signs of pneumonia. They put me on a 3 day dose of steroids and the two antibiotics. I will take a 7 day dose of one and a continuing dose of the other.  I already feel much better.  The pain has subsided and the weakness is getting slowly better. We had planned on going to St. George for Christmas. We decided we shouldn't go because of the danger of it getting worse.  So the only pain we feel now is not being able to watch the 5 grandkids open their presents. But Nate, Shelly and Owen have decided to spend Christmas night with us so we won't miss Owen opening his presents. So that will be good. Again, a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. We love you.

Last times

I have had an emotional year as we have visited our kids in Virginia, Washington State and as I have witnessed the seasons go by. I wonder when and if I will see the far away grandkids again and if I will see another Thanksgiving and Christmas. I expect I will but it weighs on me a little. My 15 1/2 grandkids are precious to me, as are the rest of my family.
When I have those thoughts I am reminded in no uncertain terms that life doesn't end here. There is a life after this. We will continue the same relationships we have here and even expand them. That gives me a lot of comfort. My family is my life. I could not bear to be without them and I don't have to. No matter if I live six months or twenty years I will continue to be able to nurture those relationships.
Upate: Friday I had a Doctors appointment. All is well. They are are in the process of weaning my off the steroids. I have one more week. The steroids have affected my body in all kinds of adverse ways and I will be glad to be rid of them. They do help with inflammation so they were a help after the surgeries, I hope once the drugs are out of my system and my body starts functioning I will be able to gain more strength and be able to become more active.
As always we appreciate your prayers and faith in our behalf. We have received so many blessings and they come through you. God Bless

Washington and some thoughts.

On the Oregon Coast near Tillimook

It was cold and wet and fun

Grandma's the best!

Lap time with Grandpa

Homework time. I need a little practice too!

I am a little jealous of David's Lego collection!

Jodi dipping chocolates. They were fantastic.

Roma trying her hand. They were fantastic too!

Two lost teeth in less than a week.

Chillin

The new home. It is beautiful!

Before Thanksgiving Dave and Jodi invited us to visit their home. David was heading out to a two month deployment so wanted us to visit their new home before he left. They live in Lacey, WA in a brand new home. The area is beautiful if not a little wet. We drove over to the Oregon coast a day where we saw tremendous scenery and the Tillimook Cheese factory. We also spent a day in Seattle visiting several venues. We appreciate the fact that our kid take such good care of us and are willing to put up with us.

I have expressed before how I am not a patient man. With brain cancer that is not a good thing to be. Nothing happens fast. For example I have been on Steroids since my first surgery and I can't get off of them quickly even though they devastate my body with lost muscle mass, weakness, bloating and a myriad of other symptoms. The doctor has been able to reduce the dose that I take, but you can't quit them cold turkey without suffering dire consequences. So I have to be patient. I have a doctors appointment this week so I hope the doctor will reduce again the dose or maybe eliminate it. One could only hope.

I say this not to complain. I have had too many blessings for that. I only mention it because it is another lesson I am learning. As we have patience with our lot in life (with our adversity) and continue to trust in the Lord he will continue to comfort us and grant us ever greater blessings. In the Book of Mormon there is a verse that captures the thought. It is in 2 Nephi v 20 "Wherefore, ye must press  forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men, Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life" I believe that. I know that. It has brought me comfort and peace. 

I am humbled.

Yesterday I received word through the RS email that an article had been written about my testimony (that I gave the first Sunday this month) in the Mormon Times by my good friend Kristine Frederickson. http://www.mormontimes.com/article/18373/A-man-who-is-thankful-for-cancer?s_cid=voices&utm_source=voices 
It is very kind and complementary to me. Kristine had said in such a beautiful way things I have been grasping at to put into words for months. Thank you Kris.
I am still thankful for cancer. I am a better parent, grandparent, husband than I was six months ago, and I am certainly more in tune with the Spirit. I know that my Redeemer lives. He has carried me. I have felt his touch both  literally and though the kind acts of prayer, love, and service rendered to my family. It is overwhelming. I know that the Savior died for my sins, but he also suffered my infirmities so he could succor my pain and grief. I testify that he has done that. He will do that for you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
PS. Read some of Kris' others articles. They are great!

Another Kind Act

My sister-in-law owns a quilting store. She has been looking for some ways to help Roma and I with our medical bills.  Several of her customers at her store know Roma and have questioned Amy as to how they can help.  So Amy (Roma's sister) has decided to hold a silent auction for the next 2 months auctioning off discontinued quilts and donated quilts.  If you are interested read the poster for further details.  There have been so many acts of kindness shown to us during this trial.  We so appreciate everyone's love and help.