November 10, 2015

Marjie's Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Twin Falls, Idaho at 11:00 a.m.  on Saturday, November 21, 2015. A luncheon celebration of her life will be held at O'Leary Middle School immediately following the service. Her obituary and additional details can be found on the website for Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com

Thanks,

Marjie's Family

November 8, 2015

Marjie passed away on Friday, November 6, 2015.  She will be greatly missed, lovingly remembered, and we take comfort in that she is now in God's heavenly care.  The family wishes to sincerely thank all who have loved her, supported her, and followed her journey through this blog.  Services are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.  Details of her memorial service will also be posted to this blog once it has been arranged.

October 22, 2015

It breaks my heart to pass on the information contained in this update. At the time of our previous post to this blog, Marjie was in therapy at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandy, Utah. She had just completed radiation treatments for a tumor on her spine.  Marjie and I have been very pleased with the care she has received at HealthSouth. The compassionate dedication of the staff here is something we will always remember.  She had been working very hard in therapy sessions.  Her balance had improved and she had regained some movement in her right leg until a short time ago when extreme fatigue set in. Marjie had an MRI of the brain and spine on October 20th. She had been declining recently in several ways, including extreme fatigue, some cognitive loss, and loss of balance.  The MRI showed the tumor has spread to multiple parts of her brain and spinal cord. This new growth has occurred over a very short period of time (since the last MRI in September) and despite ongoing chemotherapy and the best known treatment to battle this type of tumor. For reasons we just don't know, Marjie's tumor has been unusually aggressive and resistant to treatment. 

At this point, the doctors are recommending no further treatment as the potential benefit is not adequate to put her through the process. After discussing options, Marjie and Scott have decided to travel back to Twin Falls as soon as possible and arrange for hospice care at home.  We feel this decision will provide the best comfort and quality of life possible in a compassionate, realistic manner.  As Marjie and I prepare to return home to Twin Falls, we are trying to take comfort in our belief that Marjie's primary care is in God's hands now. 

I trust that all of us who know and love Marjie will continue to do what we can to support and comfort her.  She has not been in significant pain, and she sleeps comfortably much of the time. She has some cognitive issues, but during periods when she is awake and alert her memory and ability to communicate is currently quite good.  Unfortunately the chemotherapy she has been taking has caused her to lose much of her voice, so patience is needed to understand her sometimes.  Talking on the phone is no longer possible.  Our oncologist explained that if there is anything humane about this type of cancer, it is the fact that typically there is no significant pain to the patient. Sometimes headaches, but Marjie has been free of those so far. The progression is usually just a more severe version of the symptoms she is already experiencing (extreme fatigue, gradual loss of cognitive ability, weakness, and shutdown of functions.)

Marjie and I wish to thank so many people for their care and compassion.  I have time to include here only a partial list. We thank all of the staff at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.  We are sincerely grateful to everyone at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandy, Utah. HealthSouth has been our home for about the last 5 weeks.  We thank our wonderful friend Griselda, and all who were involved in honoring Marjie at the O'Leary 5K Run/Walk last weekend. And we thank all of you who have followed Marjie through this difficult journey. We are grateful for all of the love, support, good thoughts, and prayers that have been sent our way.  

Much Love to All,

Scott and Marjie. 

October 4, 2015

Hello to everyone.  We apologize for the two month delay in updating this blog.  Things were going quite well a couple of months ago at the time of our last post. Unfortunately, the last 45 days or so have been very difficult ones. During the third week of August we traveled to Salt Lake City for what we hoped would be a favorable, or at least stable, MRI and checkup. However, the MRI indicated that Marjie's brain tumor was showing some regrowth. At that time, Marjie was experiencing no new symptoms.  However, that all changed the next day.  She suddenly lost all strength and control of her left leg. This was very frustrating for her as she had gained back significant strength and use of her left leg after 6 months of hard work and therapy. We attributed this to the brain tumor regrowth that was shown by the MRI.  Marjie started a new infusion chemotherapy and we hoped and prayed this new chemo would improve or stabilize her situation.  But Marjie's situation deteriorated further a couple of weeks later when she lost the strength and use of her right leg as well. Up until this time, the right leg had been totally unaffected.  Plus Marjie's tumor is on the right side of her brain which should affect only the left side of the body.

We were back in Salt Lake City on Labor Day for chemotherapy and to celebrate Caleb's third birthday. This was about the time the right leg totally gave out.  We met with our oncologist and additional tests were ordered to try to determine the cause of the right leg weakness. We received more bad news when an MRI revealed that the tumor has spread to Marjie's spinal cord. She has several spots on her spinal cord that are "suspect", but one larger one in particular was determined to be the cause of her loss of strength in her right leg-and it would be affecting the left leg as well. Marjie was admitted to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and immediately began radiation treatments for the new tumor on her spine.  As of this time, she has completed this course of radiation (15 treatments), and she is currently in rehab at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandy, Utah.  We have actually been at HealthSouth for nearly 3 weeks. Marjie has been gradually regaining some strength and movement back in her right leg, and a small amount in her left leg as well. She is unable support significant weight, but the movement that has returned is a good sign that the radiation and other treatments have been beneficial.  We hope and pray that her leg strength continues to return, but it is impossible to predict how much improvement will occur. We are very pleased with the care and therapy she is receiving at HealthSouth. It is an attractive facility with dedicated caring staff, excellent therapists and equipment, and she even has a great view out of her window. Plus there is a small hide-a-bed in the room and they let Scott stay, participate in therapy sessions, and help where he can.  Marjie has been having physical and/or occupational therapy 3 times per day, and she even got to exercise in a swimming pool here today. An added benefit is this hospital is located about 10 minutes from Becky's house. We hope to be at HealthSouth for another week or two as we feel this is a good place for continued therapy and progress in the near term. We expect to be back in Twin Falls sometime in October.  But our exact location for the next few weeks is unknown. This will be determined on a weekly basis depending on progress and insurance decisions.

We are able to finally update this blog as we recently broke down and bought an iPad. It has been a great communications tool as it is so much easier to type on than my iPhone. And it has given us a chance to watch some of our favorite tv shows through Netflix streaming video.  We are especially enjoying the show "Longmire" and the series "How the States Got Their Names".  We are embarrassed to admit we are also "Walking Dead" fans.

We continue to be so thankful for the love and good thoughts, visits, cards, and prayers from our family and friends.  One reminder.... we love visits, but Marjie's ability to resist colds and infections has been reduced by the chemotherapy-so please keep this in mind when coming to see her, whether in Utah or Twin Falls. We sure hope the next post to this blog can be a little more upbeat. But at least we will close with some pictures that prove that even when all seems dark, there is goodness and light if you look for it. Below is a picture of Caleb on his 3rd birthday, Claire and Lucas picking out some Halloween pumpkins (with a little help from mom and dad),  Marjie enjoying the company of Matthew, Becky, and Caleb on the patio at HealthSouth, and Claire and Lucas posing with Cooper in their back yard. Our family and friends (and our grandchildren in particular) continue to be our best therapy!

Marjie and Scott

August 6, 2015

First, we wish to apologize for the significant delay in updating this blog.  We have had a good summer so far, filled with lots of traveling and vising friends and family.  We have had several people say they have missed our updates, and especially have missed seeing new pictures of the grand kids.  Also, we have missed updating this blog as it is enjoyable and therapeutic to review events in our lives and the progress Marjie has made.  With so many things to reflect on since the last update, we will just give a quick summary of our travels and activities, followed by some pictures.

 Late May - June, 2015:

• Home to Twin Falls!  Thanks to all who watched our place for us while we were gone, and a big thank you to Steve and Lorie for getting our house ready for our return complete with groceries.
• Celebrated Marjie's 57th birthday with Dave's family!
• Attended our home church in Twin Falls.  It was an emotional and wonderful homecoming.
• Moved out of Marjie's classroom @ OMS.  Thanks Dave, Joan, Claire & Lucas for your help!
• 4K Benefit/Run/Walk at O'Leary Middle School.  Thanks to all that participated and donated!
• Trip to California to see Marjie's parents.

 July, 2015:

• Trip to Bonners Ferry, Idaho to visit Marjie's brother Steve, and his family.
• 3 Dog Night Concert in Libby Montana (Steve & Alethia, thanks for the great birthday gift!)
• To Coeur d' Alene (actually Hayden, ID) to visit our son, Dave, and his family.
• Visit from Bob & Marilee Dunklee from Raymond, Maine.  It was great to catch up with these dear friends from Marjie's Camp Wawenock days.  
• Celebrated Scott's 57th birthday in Twin Falls with special guests, Matthew, Becky, & Caleb! 

 August, 2015:

• Celebrated our 34th Wedding Anniversary!
• Traveled to Boise to visit Scott's brother's family, and listen to Steve's band.

During periods when we have actually stayed put in Twin Falls, we have enjoyed visits from many friends, those who live in Twin Falls as well as out of town visitors.  We thank you all for stopping by.  You are always welcome at our house, and these visits are a constant reminder of how blessed we are with friends and family.

Marjie's therapy continues, whether we are in Twin Falls or on the road.  When we are home, she has been going to physical therapy at CPR 3 times a week.  Thanks to Dennis, Stephanie, and all of you at CPR for the wonderful care and support you give us.

Marjie has also been receiving hippotherapy (therapy on horse back, not hippos) at Rising Stars Therapy in Twin Falls.  Marjie had worked as a volunteer for this great organization for several summers, and is now enjoying the benefits of this therapy herself.  She loves being on the horse, and it is excellent exercise and balance therapy.

Other therapy and exercise includes regular rides on our recumbent bike at home, stepping and weight bearing exercises, daily walks, and various hand and arm exercises.  Marjie has also recently started occupational therapy at St. Luke's Rehabilitation,  3 times a week.  She keeps herself and Scott busy!

Marjie continues to improve in leg strength and balance.  Arm and hand progress has been slower, and we are hopeful the occupational therapy at St. Luke's will help move this forward again.  She had an MRI in June that indicated things are quite "stable".  We will be heading to Utah for another MRI and follow up appointment with the Oncology doctor in late August.  Marjie continues with chemotherapy each month (three rounds so far this summer).  She feels fortunate that she has very minimal side effects.  This chemotherapy is in "pill form", taken 5 days each month.

We want to again sincerely thank all who contributed to Marjie's GoFundMe campaign.  The emotional and financial support we have received continues to be a huge blessing that sustains us both as we continue through this very challenging chapter of our lives. 

We hope every one's summer is going well.  We will close with some pictures of our travels, and of course grand kids!  Pictures:  (1) Marjie's Birthday, (2) Benefit 4K Run/Walk, (3) At 3 Dog Night Concert (4) Hayden Lake, (5) Lake Coeur d' Alene, (6) Caleb making chocolate birthday cake, (7) Riding Therapy. 

May 23, 2015

As we write this blog entry, we are packing up to return to Twin Falls.  Thinking back, Marjie and I had mixed feelings initially about using a blog (definitely a first for us) to provide updates on Marjie's progress and condition.  However, it has proved to be a very convenient way for us to provide information to family and friends in an efficient manner, and putting it together each week has been good therapy for us.  It has helped us to think about the progress that is being made, and also the blessing we have despite the difficulties currently being faced.  Our plans are to continue this blog after we return home, but with less frequent updates (probably monthly).

This past week we concluded therapy at University of Utah-Sugarhouse.  It has also been a busy week for doctor appointments.  We met with Dr. Edgely, Rehabilitation Director @ the University of Utah, and his staff.  Marjie had an MRI, and we met to discuss the results of that scan with Dr. Colman and his staff.   We learned that it will take several post-radiation MRI's to have a clearer picture of how successful the radiation treatment was.  This will be monitored closely, and we are scheduled to come back to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in about a month for another MRI.

As we prepare to leave Utah (for the time being anyway), we want to thank all of the doctors, staff, therapists, and other medical providers for the care they have provided.  We have met many wonderful, dedicated, compassionate health care providers during the last 4 months or so-far too many to mention here.  We have come to know several of the therapists well, and think of them not only as therapists, but friends.  Therapy has been hard work, but Marjie says they have made it almost enjoyable.  We also appreciate how willing everyone has been to include Scott in the process.  We have both learned so much, and are truly grateful.

Speaking of therapy, we received some incredible news!  CPR (Center for Physical Rehabilitation) in Twin Falls has offered to provide therapy to Marjie at no cost to us.  We are still trying to get our minds around this unbelievable offer, and we are so grateful to Julie Ellis and the entire staff at CPR.  This offer, the GoFundMe campaign, and the Benefit 4K run to be held in early June are simply incredible.  All of the funds being donated to Marjie will be used for therapy equipment, and various therapy at home and in Utah.  CPR's extremely generous offer will make it much easier for us to insure that Marjie has good, continuous therapy no matter where we are at the time.  We are amazed daily by the love and support given to Marjie.  We will never be able to adequately express our thanks.  We admit that maintaining faith is not always easy when going through this type of adversity.  It is sometimes easy to feel forgotten and frustrated.  But the care, support, thoughts, and prayers of all of our family and friends (old and new), has helped us to cope with the changes that are occurring in our lives more than you will ever know.  All of you, in showing your love and care for Marjie, are a reflection of God's love in the world.  We are eternally grateful.

Some other great news this week, Becky is home from the hospital and has completed this round of IV medications.  It is wonderful having her back home (her home, even though it has stated to feel like ours as well).

We had a fun weekend visit from Scott's brother, Steve, and his family.  We celebrated our niece, Randi's birthday. Between rainstorms, we all went to Wheeler Historic Farm to see the animals and other scenery.  The big news (especially for Caleb) is that one of his favorite characters, Daniel Tiger, was there!  After about an hour's wait in line, we met the neighborly tiger himself, and had a great time.

One of Becky's dearest friends from high school (like a second daughter to us), also came for a visit.  It was great to see Brooke, or perhaps I should say Dr. Jardine.  She was able to help Becky pass the time in the hospital, and she even brought Becky home when it was time for her to leave.

We look forward to returning to Twin Falls, but we also have lots of travel plans already made for the summer.  We are planning a trip to California to see Marjie's parents, to Bonner's Ferry to visit Marjie's brother, Steve, and his family, and to Coeur d' Alene to visit our son, Dave, and his family.  Dave, Joan, Claire, and Lucas are in the process of moving from Grangeville to Coeur d' Alene, and we very much look forward to seeing their new house (and the grandchildren, even more).  And we hope to do a little camping and fishing if we can fit it in-and Scott thinks we can.

We again want to the Marcellus family for mowing our lawn, and the Lairds and Steve and Rob Atkins for watching our home in Twin Falls while we have been away.  We want to sincerely thank Matthew's mother, Eileen, for all of her incredible help over the past couple of weeks.  She came at just the right time, and it is hard to think how we would have managed things here at the Swank residence without her.  Her cooking was outstanding, and she has spruced things up inside and out.

Lastly, we want to sincerely thank our hosts of the past 3+ months, Matthew, Becky, and Caleb (oh, and we will be back in June, so don't rent the basement out).  We appreciate your taking such good care of us.  Things would have been so much more difficult if we were staying in a hotel or apartment.  Nothing beats having family close by.

We will end this blog update with a few pictures from the past couple of weeks.  They include (1) a picture of Marjie by a statue of Col. Conner at the Fort Douglas Museum on the U of U campus.  Col. Conner is most famous (or infamous) for his campaigns against Native Americans, including Idaho's Bear River Massacre (2) a picture of Caleb and his parents with Daniel Tiger, and (3) a picture of my brother, Steve, with a friend he met at Wheeler Farm (Steve is on the right). 

  

May 12, 2015

Now that radiation and chemotherapy are done (until additional chemo starts up this summer), we have been going to therapy 3 times a week, and sometimes three sessions per day.  On days where we do not have regularly scheduled therapy sessions, Marjie has been going to the gym at Sugarhouse and working on the NewStep exercise machine, the recumbent bike, or the parallel bars.  The bikes are great for exercise and conditioning, and the parallel bars are used to improve balance, posture, and knee bend.  And speaking of parallel bars, Scott took Caleb to gymnastics lessons this week.  It was way out of his comfort zone (Scott's, I mean), but as it turned out everyone had a great time.  The parents (or grandpa, as the case may be) walk around with the kids, and partially participate with the youngsters.  Fortunately for Scott, no video evidence exists.  Caleb did great though.

We ask that you all please keep our daughter, Becky, in your prayers.  She was admitted to the hospital this week for a round of IV antibiotics.  This is something that is done on a fairly regular basis when her lung function has reduced, and is a common treatment with her cystic fibrosis.  We hope this round of antibiotics is successful in improving her lung function.  Matthew's mom, Eileen, arrived this week to help with Caleb (and the rest of us) while Becky is the hospital.  Thanks Eileen!
This has allowed Marjie, Scott and Matthew to spend more time visiting Becky at the hospital.  We have been playing pinochle to help pass the time.  We hope Becky will be back home in about a week, and we all miss her very much while she is recuperating at U of U hospital.

We had an enjoyable visit with two of Marjie's former students this week.  Amber, her brother Ryan, and Amber's husband Conner met us for coffee and brightened up our day.  It was fun for Marjie to reminisce about  the past at O'Leary.  Also, we had a nice visit with some friends from Twin Falls-the Harris families.  We met for breakfast with Ray and Shirley, and Susan.  Gordon was technically absent, but very much in our minds, hearts, and prayers.  The two Harris couples are in SLC due to Gordon's surgery and hospitalization.  We ask that you all also pray for Gordon's health and recovery.

While this week has been one where we have visited various hospitals more than we would like, it has also been filled with good visits with friends, thoughtful Mother's day wishes and phone calls, and continued gradual progress for Marjie.  The Salt Lake City area received an excessive amount of rainfall this past weekend.  While the moisture was much needed, it delayed our plans to visit the zoo.  We are looking forward to a visit from Scott's brother and his family this next week, and hoping for better weekend weather.

As has become our habit, we will end this blog update with a picture.  Below is a picture from a picnic with Becky, Caleb, and the two Grandmas on the lawn between the U of U hospital and the Moran Eye Center.