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).