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.