Summer 2009 will go down as one we'll never forget and never want to re-live. During the first days of August, Will contracted a sore throat while hosting a radio promotion at the Cache County Fair. After three weeks, multiple doctor visits, and countless drugs that had no effect, we were told that he had cancer of the Lymph Nodes, called Lymphoma. He was immediately sent to Ogden's, McKay Dee Hospital for testing. Surgeons performed a biopsy and found what they thought was cancer turned out to be several large masses of infection inside his chest cavity. It's called Mediastinitis. He was hospitalized for the next week as Doctors operated and inserted four suction tubes into his chest (three through his right rib cage and one through his neck.)
While Jana stayed with Will in Ogden, Riley contracted Neumonia and missed the first week of school. Believe it or not, he was so sick he actually wished he was at school. Ariana also showed signs of Neumonia but was over it within a couple days.
After Will was released from McKay Dee Hospital, he was put on bed rest for several weeks and kept on IV antibiotics and pain killers. Doctors had left one of the drain tubes in him, making it difficult for him to breath. He spent Jana's Birthday unable to get out of bed.
A week and a half later Will was able to get out of bed so that he and the family could visit the Logan Temple for our 12th wedding anniversary. We also tried dinner at the Iron Gate Grill but his appetite was so small he couldn't eat. It's the first time he's ever left a restaurant with a doggie bag.
On September 28th, Doctors removed the Picc Line to his heart and took him off all medication. The chest tube was also pulled out except for three inches. Doctors were concerned that removing all the tube could lead to further infection. Jana pulled the remainder of the tube out a week later. He's now able to breath without pain and is beginning to resume his regular schedule.
We have been so blessed through all of this though. We literally lived off of Prayers and Priesthood Blessings for weeks at a time. Add to that the love of Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Co-Workers who helped lift us up and carry us along. We can't even begin to tell you how thankful we are for all of you.
Saturday, we took the family to Lagoon's Frightmares. It's been a tradition of ours the last couple years. This year was extra special because Uncle Jon and Aunt Lori traveled from Twin Falls to go with us. Cousin Myles went on his first roller coaster. Ariana also graduated from the kiddie rides to the big rides. She went on the Bat, Spider, and Colossus with a little coaxing from Uncle Jon. Riley and Dad went on the Wicked roller coaster, a bad idea for Dad still recovering from chest surgery. Meanwhile Lexie's favorite rides were the boats and cars. Last night in her prayers she thanked Heavenly Father for all the rides that didn't go up and down. Daddies thankful for Advil and Mommies thankful that she could play with Myles while everyone waited in lines.
