Delwin, made it though the first round of five days of chemo. Now three weeks off, but with two blood checks and a Dr.(oncologist) visit during that time. We had jason non-mission farewell it went really well. I am very glad that he doesn't leave tell the 29th. Delwin is working every day now almost all day long however today he came home pretty tired I had forgotten that the dr. said the fatigue from the radiation could come back 6 to8 weeks after the last day of radiation. Sure enough 6 weeks yesterday. I am hoping to keep him home tomorrow but will just have to wait and see what he decides to do. I realized I didn't announce the birth of our second grand baby on Sept. 4th a baby boy 6lbs 7oz 20 1/2 inches long, Camden is his name. He is beautiful! mother and baby doing great! now we have one of each!

1st day of Chemo, so far so good. It was very hard to send him off to work without me. I didn't think I would miss going with him but I do. I have been able to get a lot done though so I haven't wondered what to do.

Well we haven't hear from the surgeon yet but our family Dr. said that he had look at the MRI and the there had been no growth from the last MRI so that is really great! We then saw the Radiologist and he said the same thing so that was really great as well! and now with the chemo treatments we hope to see it shrink!!! "Because of if anything can go wrong it will" Delwin will not start that chemo until Wednesday September 8th we hope that he will handle it well. Tomorrow I am sending him to work by himself. If he leaves work before he gets really tried he should be fine. I have to get ready for Jason's non-farewell on Sunday and finish getting him ready to leave! It is really coming fast.
We have had several people tell Delwin that he should take the time off and not worry about work. I know that in his head he see me a 47 year old who as no working skills to provide for our family. Jason leaving on his mission and a possible wedding (Keriann) before Christmas. He feels very much the need to take care of us! It is also a gauge for him to see where his recovery is. He knows it will never be the same but he working hard to bring back as much as possible.

I was kind of worried about seeing the Dr. today. I wanted Delwin's brother to go with us just to have another set of ears to hear everything. But when I talked to Delwin about it he said no that we would be ok to just go ourselves because it didn't matter what the Dr. said the things that are going to happen on in the Lords hands and that is all that mattered. I can't believe the comfort that brought to me. So we went today to the Dr. unafraid. Then the Dr. couldn't really tell us anything because we did not bring the DVD with the MRI on it, of course they didn't tell us to bring it. So he ordered it and will call us with the results. Delwin will start the Chemo sometime this week 5 days on 3 weeks off for 12 months. we are however are at peace. Delwin is getting stronger everyday his mind is working better. So that is all we can ask for for now and of course a grand mircle but in the Lords time.

Delwin is getting stronger but it is slow going. We had the MRI but will not know the result until Tuesday Afternoon Aug. 31.

I have found that it is harder to post when things are not going as well as we would like. I am going to document the last few weeks so somewhere there is a record of how things went.
Sunday August 1 2010, Delwin started to fell the fatigue of the radiation and was having trouble finding words again.
Monday Aug. 2 He drove down to radiation and went to work for a few hours because we had to pick Keriann up from the airport but he was very tried.
Tuesday Aug.3 He went down for his last day of radiation but the machine was broken and they sent us home. We went straight home and Delwin slept the rest of the day. His ability to find word was getting worse. (the Doctor was having him go off the drug Dexamethasone which keeps the swelling out of his brain)
Wednesday Aug.4 we went for the radiation Delwin was able to ring the bell that signaled the end of the ratiation treatment. I almost had to carry him out of the hospital. The fatigue was so bad. They said that the treatments would catch up to him and could really be bad at the end. Well they were right.
Thursday Aug.5 Delwin woke up with such a painful head ache that I got out the high powered pain meds. He took that and started to throw up and throw up! He went back to bed and slept woke up and threw up again and again. We were to go to his family reunion that afternoon but there was just no way that he could go. Jason and Keriann loaded up the car and headed over.We stayed home, Delwin's brothers- in- law came and gave him a priesthood blessing. He was able to stop throwing up and was able to sleep the rest of the day and all night.
Friday Aug.6. We woke up and Delwin insisted that we go to the family reunion, he could hardly walk and was having a very hard time finding words almost as bad as right after the surgery. but we went he so wanted to see his family. He sat on the couch did his best to visit between naps. We went home that night to sleep in our own bed.
Saturday Aug.7. We went back to the reunion Delwin seemed a little better and we were one of the last to go. it was hard to say good bye to all the family.
Delwin went home and went to bed. He slept all the rest of the day and night, all day Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Only waking up when I woke him up for his meds and a little food and water. He lost about ten pounds. His abiltiy for words was worst than after the surgery we were starting below zero.
Tuesday Aug.10 I finally called Dr. Reilly and he put Delwin back on the Deamethasone (steroid) which would bring down the swelling in his brain and help with the speech. It started helping. But not very fast. Delwin went to work on Thrusday and Friday of that week it was to soon but with the things happening he just felt he needed to be there. His whole department was being let go and It was very hard not to know what was going on.
He slept most of the weekend but was able to go to all of church on Sunday Aug.15.
Monday Aug 16. He was able to work most of the day.
Tuesday was a little better.
Wednesday Aug.18. He saw Dr. Johnson who said he was doing very well and set up the next round of Chemo which will start Sept. 2, 5 days of Chemo (a more powerful dose than before) and 3 weeks off. This will go on for a year.
Thursday we went on a lovely get away with our family and Dewlin's brother Jerold and his famiy. We had a lovely time Delwin getting better but is still weak and gets tried quickly.
We came home on Monday Aug.23. Delwin will now work for big West oil. We are very thankful to have a job! they have been very good to work with Delwin in his illness.
Wednesday Aug. 25 Delwin will go in for an MRI to see if all of these treatments are working to slow down or destroy the tumor. We of course hope to have a miracle of complete healing.
We are so thankful for all of you! we feel your love and prayers on a daily basis. We could not get though this with out you.

Well we are into the sixth week. They are shooting the radiation more directly on to the tumor with a higher dose. This is causing more fatigue and weakness for Delwin. He is still however staying at work as long as he can. Dr. Winter's has recommended that Delwin stay on the seizure medication for now this was disappointing but we will mind the Dr. Delwin will have two more radiation treatments next week because of the two holidays we had( 5th of July and the 23th of July). We still do not know how the treatments are effecting the tumor. After the radiation he will have another MRI and then Dr. Winters will let us know what is going on with the tumor. The drs are with drawing the steroid medication which is having some side effects but are not as bad as they could be. When we look at all the possible side effects of all the meds. delwin is taking he really is doing very, very well and we know that, that is a direct blessing from our Heavenly Father in answer to all of our prayers. We will take every Blessing!

4th week down and things are going well. Friday delwin had a eeg to check for seizures. If he is not having them then he can go off the medicine he is taking for seizures if he is having them then he will have to take the medicine the rest of his life not so good. I don't know when the Dr. will call and let us know. On Monday July 19 he will have another mri so they can aim the radiation tighter on the tumor. Great news is that Jason received his mission call on Wed. and he is going to Chile the Concepcion mission he will leave September 29th. We are very excited! Only Two weeks and two days left of the radiation! We remember that every day is a miracle!

Half Way! and things are going pretty well. Delwin is still feeling ok the radiation fatigue is setting in. Delwin is still working about five hours a day. His hair is starting to fall out so that is kind of interesting. His white blood count is still ok! The Dr is lowering the dose of the steroid and so far that is going ok as well. We have three weeks and two days left so the time is passing. We don't know how all the treatment are effecting the tumor yet, we won't know for a while . But we remember that each day is a miracle, which we are very thankful for.

Another week down! Delwin is doing really well. The chemo could cause nausea and throwing up but he is still okay, his white blood count is alright as well. The radiation will cause fatigue and it will get worse as the treatments go on. He is starting to feel that and weakness in his legs. Last week he was able to work about 5 hours a day which really made him happy. There are lots things happening there and it would be hard not to be able to know first hand those changes.
We had everyone home this weekend before Keriann went to Iowa. It was really great. Only five more weeks.

One week down 5 more to go! Delwin is doing really well with the treatments. He has not been sick and has been able to go into work several hours a day. We go down for the radiation in the morning and then he goes to work I go with him and read or nap until he is worn out then I drive him home. He rests for a little bit and works on the computer (work) until about 5:00pm then we get up in the morning and do it all again. We saw both Doctors and they seemed to be pleased with the first week. We will not know how it is effecting the tumor for at least a couple of months or longer. So we are still just one day at time but each day is a gift and a miracle which we are very thankful for.

Delwin has had two days of treatments. so far things are going well, he has been able to go to work after 6 hours on Monday and 31/2 at work on Tuesday with about 2 hours at home. Work has set him up so he can work from home when he needs to it is really wonderful. Tomorrow both treatments again and we see Dr. Johnson for a Blood test to check the white blood count. Only 40 more treatment to go!

Well all the ducks are in a row. We are good to go Monday morning Delwin will begin the treatments. They will go for six weeks every day but Saturday and Sunday. We had a great Fathers day the girls could not be home but Derek and family were here and of course Jason.

Do to all kinds of things! Insurance mostly Delwin will not have any treatments this week hopefully if we can get it all together they will start next week. Will keep you up dated. Again just one day at a time or we could go crazy.

Delwin went to both Dr.s Johnson and Riley on Friday. We go to the radiologist on Tuesday June 15th they will make a mask of Delwins face to hold his head very still and in the same place each time he goes for radiation. Which will be every day except Saturday and Sunday for six weeks. The Chemo will be in pill form and will also be taken every day for six weeks then about two weeks off and five days of chemo 3weeks off and so forth for a year. This should start Thursday June 17th. The Dr.s say that Delwin can do whatever he feels like doing. It is unknown how his body will react to the treatments so we hope that he feels well for along time. Toward the end of the treatments fatigue will set in and it will destroy the immune system. So we will take one day at a time. Today Delwin is feeling good and is able to do more each day.

Jason's High School Graduation

On Monday Delwin was able to go to a management meeting at work. It made him happy to do that, he was very touched at the love and support he received from the people there. We had a tiny set back Monday as well we got a phone call from the radiologist office saying that Mckay Dee was not in our insurance network and we would either have to pay the difference or go to Logan for part of the treatment and then back to Ogden for the other treatment and then if Delwin felt like he would work stay in Ogden every day for six weeks. This just would not work so the people at Dr. Johnson's office worked it out that we could change radiologist to Ogden Regional Hospital to a Dr. Harris. So we can do the treatments in Ogden. We are happy to go to Ogden Regional that is where Delwin had all his heart stuff and they treated us very well. We can also do blood work and MRI's in Brigham Hospital so that would be really great. We don't see Dr. Harris until Friday morning and then to Dr. Johnson that afternoon and hopefully have a plan. Dr. Johnson said that if Delwin feels well enough to work that he can I am hoping that work will set Delwin up at home so he could work from here. Especially when his immune system is low. We will see how it all comes about. Thank you all so much for your love and prayers we can feel it very much! Just one day at a time.

Yesterday we went to the Oncologist Dr. Harold Johnson. He was every kind but did not pull any punches. He made appointment with the radiologist a Dr. Whipple who will lead the charge of treatments. Most likely it will be 6 weeks of radiation and chemo every day. There is also a trial of a new drug that they will see if Delwin can do as with all trials we won't know if we are getting the real stuff or the fake stuff. With the both the radiation and chemo the odds change a little bit from an average of 15 months to two years. The chemo is in pill form and is called Temozolomide it is to work with the radiation. The good news was that Delwin can do what every he feels like doing. So he is hoping to go back to work at least part time. He has had work start sending him his emails so he can do some things from home. We see the radiologist next wed and then Dr. Johnson on Friday the 11th.

Jason's Seminary Graduation

The staples are out! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and Delwin is very glad!His head is itching a lot. We even stopped in to work, Delwin got to talk to a few people, give some pointers and answer some question. Over all a good day.

Graduation Pictures

Sunday went well, Delwin went to sacrament meeting and then home to have a nap. He felt like he was able to follow most of what the speakers were saying. On the first song he said he just couldn't sing but by the last song he sang the melody and all the words. Every day his speech is getting better. Today he wanted me to take him to work Shaun is assistant was all alone so Delwin was sure he needed to go into work. I still have the keys so we didn't go today. Tomorrow we go to the doctor to get the staples (40) out of his head and he wants to stop by work....

Well, We made it! to Rock Springs and back and all is well! Delwin is doing well, he is going to try church tomorrow. We will see how that goes. The best part of tomorrow is that Amber and Keriann will be home for a week!

Yesterday was a set back day, We were siting downstairs when Delwin coughed and them grabbed his head and cried out because of the pain, he then stood up and fell back down. looking back we think that he had a seizure, anyway he would not respond to me at all so I called the 911 they sent the ambulance but by the time they got here he was coming around and I could tell he was in there still so we sent them away. But he had a lot of pain though the night and we had to start petty much over with the speaking of the words.

The good news is that today has been pretty good. Friday is Keriann's graduation in Rock Springs and the doctor said that if Delwin wanted to he could go if we kept it slow and careful so we are going in the morning. If the night goes well so wish us luck.

Today Delwin called work reminded them to take care of some business and then walked around the park behind our house! We both felt very good about that! Because of where the tumor was, his mind knows what he wants to say but it does not always come out of his mouth the way it is intended. When he gets tired it gets a little worse so that is very frustrating for him. So today was a good day.

From The Beginning

About a month ago Delwin noticed that he wasn't thinking as clearly as normal and was struggling to remember names. He went to the doctors and they thought it could be a few different things. On Sunday, May 9th, while at church he was asked to read something and struggled through it. Fortunately, Delwin's doctor was there and immediately after class, pulled Delwin aside and told him he needed to get an MRI. Monday, May 10th, Delwin recieved that MRI. They found a brain tumor and admitted him to the Mckay-Dee Hospital shortly thereafter. Tuesday Delwin's family had a family fast, followed by a blessing from family. Wednesday, Delwin's ward held a ward fast and prayer.

On Thursday, May 13th, Delwin underwent a five hour surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortantely the doctor was not able to remove all of the tumor due to it surrounding a major artery, though he was able to remove most if it. They determined it was a glioblastoma grade 4 brain tumor. Once Delwin heals he will start chemo and radiation therapy.

Delwin came home from the hospital today, May 17th, and he is doing well. He does have his ups and downs. He still struggles remembering names and nouns when he's tired. However when he's doing good, he's doing good:) Today he went for several walks, the longest being around the park. The next steps on the agenda are getting the staples out in two weeks and starting the chemo and radiation in three to four weeks.

We want to express our gratitude for all the prayers, fasting, time, generosity, and everything else you all have done. It has not gone unnoticed. We are keeping a positive attitude and are going to cherish and enjoy every day.

Miracles come in different shapes and sizes. We know how we would like ours but we also know that Gods perspective is greater than our own. Joy is how we live our lives everyday, not a destination.

Some pictures from the week at the hospital