It's Friday Again

• Some days it feels like life is passing by quickly and other days just seem to drag on. This week has gone by quickly but it's been a really wierd week. We've had some really good stuff going on and then wham life hits you smack in the face again hard.
• Ric is doing really well. He told the doctor today that this is the 5th straight day that he has felt really good! His treatment last Friday and again today went well. He did have diarrhea this last round. We are hoping it won't happen again this week. It wasn't really bad just made things uncomfortable. Other than that the appetite is great and he's feeling good. His stamina is increasing day by day. Took him on a couple long shopping trips and he lasted way longer than I expected and wasn't exhausted afterwards. He really needed some new clothes since his others are soo big on him with all the weight loss.
• We had visitors over the weekend - my niece Aimee & her family. Her kids Karissa, Cameron and Carson kept Ric entertained as they played on the Kinect. Aimee lost her Dad Randy (my brother-in-law) a little over 3 years ago to brain cancer so this has brought back alot of memories and has been tough on Aimee and her family. We were very happy to have them come visit!
• Our daughter Holly volunteers for Starlight Children's Foundation www.starlight-washington.org - they work with seriously ill children and their families. She was at their luncheon on Tuesday (which we had hoped to attend but unable to) & Jim Lambert - former UW Football coach - was also in attendance. He was there to introduce Lawyer Milloy - former UW Football player - as Starlight was honoring Lawyer for the work he does with them. This was awesome as it gave Holly an opportunity to talk to Jim and let him know how deeply grateful we were that he called Ric to encourage him in his battle with cancer. Jim and his wife are cancer survivors. Holly was able to get a picture of her with Jim.
• Found out that my stepdad Jim got another clean bill of health and doesn't have to go back to the doctor for another 6 months. Last year he was battling sinus cancer - had surgery to remove it and did not do chemo nor radiation and is cancer free.
• So lots of good things happening that we are very grateful for. Unfortunately it seems that our family is having more than it's fair share of mountains to climb. We just found out that my sister Becky has been diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer. Becky is actually my stepsister but because my mom and her dad have been married to each other almost 40 years I really hate the word "step" but use it to not confuse people who know other parts of my family. Becky & I joke that we are twins seperated at birth because we are soooo much alike. I am 6 months older than her. We were also considered the "good" ones in the family. Actually we were just smarter than the rest and never got caught for the things we did :) Between my mom and "step" dad there are 9 children. Our oldest brother (stepbrother) Alan was also recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer. So we currently have 3 members of our immediate family battling cancer.
• So what Ric & I truly request from all of you - our friends, family, neighbors and coworkers is your thoughts & prayers for healing for Ric, Becky & Alan and for peace & comfort for all of them and our whole family. I specifically request prayers for our parents Jim & Dorothy Hoots as this must be so difficult for them. Becky lives in Boise, Alan lives in Montana and with us here in the Seattle area there is no way our parents can be present for all of us. Our parents live in Othello. What's wierd is that the majority of our family lives near our parents - it's mainly Becky, Alan, me and our youngest brother Brad who don't. This makes it difficult for all the rest of our family members.
• Again we thank you all for your love & support and thank God that we have such a support system. It would be so difficult to be going through this if we did not have all of you! WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Thursday

Ric is still feeling really good. He had his 2nd treatment last Friday and PTL not having any side effects. It took about 5 hrs for this treatment as they put the IV in, gave him some steroids, gave him the Avastin really slowly, then the leucovorin then the 5 FU - chemo. The treatment this Friday will consist of only the 5 FU as the Avastin can only be given every two weeks. So this weeks treatment will not be as long. We did decide that we need to take a deck of cards to play during his treatment so the time can go by quicker. Ric pretty much napped during it the treatment while I read a book. Ric's appetite is still really good. We made a visit to the office yesterday. We hope to be able to visit once a week. He's started lifting weights (2 lb & 6 lb dumbbells). We did go do some clothes shopping for him so he could get pants that won't fall down and shirts that actually fit him! Thanks for your continued thoughts & prayers - keep them coming as they are definitely working!

Treatment Day

• So Ric had his 2nd treatment today. All went well and so far he's feeling fine. In fact his appetite is as good as ever. This week has been a very good week. He's sleeping better - not fully where we'd like him to be but much better than before. His back pain is pretty much gone - thanks to the Chiropractor and Massage Therapist! Where he is at right now is pretty amazing.
• When we were at the doctor on Wednesday Ric wanted to see the MRI so he could see what was going on in his brain. I wasn't sure that I really wanted him to see as it's pretty serious but he really wanted to. After we got into the car he broke down and kept saying he did not realize how "broken" his body was. I told him that yes he was "broken" but did he now understand how God was keeping him alive for a purpose - he should not be doing as good as he is with what is going on in his body. But thanks to God and all your prayers Ric is doing really well. The doctor & his head nurse kept telling him today how good he looks.
• Ric's brother Ruben brought him his high school wrestling singlet (uniform) from when he wrestled at 129 lbs. Ric decided to put it on today and have my sister (who does photography) take a picture of him. He was pretty funny when he came walking out of the bedroom with it on.
• We made a trip into the office yesterday so he could hang out with his "crew" for a few hours. It was good for both of us. It's only been a few weeks but we really miss everyone. We both really love our jobs so it is hard to be away. It will be at least another 4-5 weeks before Ric could potentially return since the current treatment plan has him doing a treatment every Friday until October 7th.
• Go Dawgs! Unfortunately we won't be at the game tomorrow as we felt Ric may not be able to put up with the heat. That just seems funny to say but our seats are pretty close to the field and on nice sunny days it can get pretty hot. We did not want to take a chance so we will be watching from home.
• So in all a really good week - prayers for continued healing, no side effects from the treatment and another good week next week. Thanks!

Feeling Fabulous

So Ric woke up yesterday and said that he felt FABULOUS! He had no pain, had actually slept well and was feeling better than he had in a very long time. We had quite a few visitors this weekend which was good for him as you all know how much he loves to talk :) Was concerned he might over do it as he is always pushing himself but he did well. He even made me take him to Fry's last evening as he had computer parts to buy! So he is doing really really well right now. Most family that saw him when he was in the hospital shortly after we took him in have been amazed by his progress since then. Had a visit today from a physical therapist and an occupational therapist that both said at this time there was no need for them to return. He passed all their "tests" with flying colors. Of course he has round 2 of the treatment this coming Friday so not sure what that will bring but hopefully with lots of prayer again he will get through it as well as he did the initial treatment. He still has a great appetite and doing lots of walking. Having this wonderful weather is helping too as it encourages him to be outside. He still has a ways to go to get back to where he needs to be in order to return to work but if he keeps progressing like he is then it might not be too far in the future. We are just so extremely grateful to God that we have all of you praying for him (and me) and sending your thoughts, love & support our way. So just keep those prayers coming our way this week as he goes through round 2 of the Avastin/5 FU treatment! Love you all!

Amazing

• Ric is so amazing. Just a week ago he needed a walker in order to get around & had alot of weakness on his left side. Yesterday & today he walked the length of our road & back along with up & down our driveway (slightly less than 1/4 mile) without any assistance! The doctors were ready to write him off last week, send us home & put him on hospice care. What they don't realize is that Ric & I love to prove people wrong :) We've been doing that all our lives. Although we don't know exactly what God has in store for us with this current journey we are on, we know that it will be another opportunity to show that you never give up no matter how dire your circumstances may be. So even though this current roadblock is a really big one we are not going to let it hold us back. Ric is bound & determined to do what it takes to beat this.
• We continue to ask for your prayers for his healing - that his upcoming treatment on Friday the 9th goes smoothly and he has no side effects - that his appetite continues to be good -that we continue to feel God's peace.

Excitement

• So another good day today. Ric is still getting stronger every day. My parents were here today so I went out to do some grocery shopping. When I got back Ric was downstairs watching a movie. He went down on his own. He has not watched a movie for at least a month so I know he was feeling much better.
• Ric got a really special phone call this evening. Jim Lambert (former UW Football Coach) called Ric. Both Jim and his wife are cancer survivors. Jim happens to be a co-worker's father-in-law and found out about Ric's battle with cancer. Ric was so stoked about getting a call from him. They had a great talk about UW football and what this years team looks like since Jim has been to some of the practices. Jim encouraged Ric to stay tough, keep fighting and that he would be praying for him. He said he'd be checking back with him. It was so awesome and really made Ric's day.
• We also talked to Ric's doctor in New York. He will be continuing to do both treatments so that he can get the best of both to fight this. He's scheduled to do his next Avastin/5FU treatment on Friday Sept 9th.
• We are just taking one day at a time right now but are really encouraged about where Ric is right now in comparison to where he was a week ago. Really appreciate your prayers - they are working so please continue to pray for Ric's healing! Thanks & love you all!

We are Home!

Just a quick little update to let everyone know that we are finally home. Ric walked from the car to the house without the use of the walker - said he did not need it. He is such a strong person and just amazes me every day. He is bound and determined to fight this thing with everything he has. So please continue to pray for Ric's healing.