Cancer

On Sunday morning, October 5, 2025 Gary asked me to drive him to the emergency room at Utah Valley Hospital. He had pain in his lower abdomen and was also feeling pretty sick. Six days before he tried to prep for his first colonoscopy. Gary had been having digestive issues all summer long and finally went and saw a Gastronologist who ordered the colonoscopy.

Since Gary was not able keep the fluid drink down during the prep at home he seemed happy  that the hospital staff were finally able to assist him during the night and into the next morning. Except for one night nurses who was  not experienced in prepping for a colonoscopy. After a looong night Gary got a visit early in the morning from a doctor informing him that he had to finish the large amount of fluid. He only had a few hours before he could have a successful colonoscopy. That was a MONUMENTAL challenge!! The colonoscopy was a success but the out come was devastating. We were just relieved to finally find out why Gary’s body was not working right.

This was the spectacular view from his room. He was checked out the following day around 5:00 pm.  Four days later the biopsy confirmed, stage three rectal cancer. Gary’s Oncologist, Dr. Esplin was hopeful that Gary could over come his cancer but informed him it was not going to be easy. On October 15th he started his first round of chemo treatments. Gary had his first fusion in his left wrist at the cancer treatment center across the street from the hospital. That was quite a nuclear experience to have chemo turn your arm into petrified wood. Then he started taking chemo pills at home, four in the morning and three in the late afternoon. Luckily he was prescribed nausea pills but the hard part is dealing with hemorrhoids and painful bowel movements. He has hasn’t had a good nights sleep in two months and Gary has been put on a soft food diet with lots of stool softener meds. Did I mention he has already lost 70 pounds! I have been making him a potato, carrot, onion, broccoli, cauliflower soup that I puree in my Ninja. Eggs are a big deal but sometimes make him feel sick. Now we are only cooking soft scrambled eggs. Trying to keep him fed correctly has been very challenging. Sugar, starch and carbohydrates can be a culprit for cancer. Keeping  him full with calories is also hard since he can’t eat meat, chicken and fish. These important proteins are too hard to digest.

This one bottle are his $10,000 chemo pills. We would be in a bad situation if we didn’t have Insurance.

This is the Pederson Tower at Utah Valley Hospital where Gary stayed on the 8th floor for 2 days and one night. I haven’t even written about the emotional toll this has been for him and our entire family. In two days he starts his second round of chemo all over again. This will go on for three more two week sessions. He gets one week of no chemo meds.  All we can do right now is continue to pray, try to make him comfortable and take one day at a time.

 

Halloween 2025

 Julie,Coleton holding the bread and GW. I think Julie and Coleton really like Halloween.

Jessie & Dayna

       Jessie and Dayna’s mom.

 

Jenny& JJ in Japan

First day of school 2025.

 

Bryce Canyon with Mark and Denise Rawl

 

The weather and company were perfect!

Jessie at Glacier National Park

Yellowstone National Park & Alpine Wyoming

Jessie and Dayna

Jewels & Coleton

Jenny Rebecca also known as Jenny Wren

Even though GW and I weren’t able to make it to Wyoming due to engine troubles, half of our clan was able to make it. Jacob and Brittany had to back out due to a medical issue. Brittany has been feeling pretty down in the dumps and the doctors can’t find out what’s wrong! She is pretty frustrated to say the least. JJ already flew back to Japan but the rest of the group seemed to have a great time.

Murphy Lake

 

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