When Tom was first diagnosed with cancer we made the decision that we would let other people than our children know what was happening. We felt that it would be hard on our family to feel that they were alone in this with us and difficult also for us to deal with alone when we were already isolated due to covid. We contacted the Bishop and the Relief Society President and told them about our circumstances but said we were fine and didn’t need any special help, just prayers. Well help came anyway in the form of food, cards, messages, phone calls, flowers, fasting, prayers and love. We are still receiving on a regular basis and are still very touched and grateful. Sometimes it even becomes comical. I ran into Lincoln when I was out walking one day this week and he was on his way to pick blueberries and asked if we wanted any and told him we were fine as Cindy was ordering some for us. I did not tell him that our neighbor Marie had just brought us some before she left for her cabin too. Well, a few hours later Mary, Lincoln and granddaughter arrived at our door with a big bucket of blueberries. In the mean time I had reminded Cindy to get some for us. Fast forward another few hours and our neighbor Jean and Cheyenne arrived at the door with a large box of blueberries. We were grateful for everyone’s love but we had to giggle and I was kept busy freezing blueberries. Sam and Cindy also followed up and picked us some berries before I informed her of the blueberry blessings we were already counting.
We had numerous friends call this week checking on us and Jackson and Jill even called for Tom’s birthday on the 30th as did Joanne and Dave. He had messages and calls from the children and Adrienne Toolson sent a lovely card and message. I made a special dinner and with Liza’s assistance we have ordered a stationary sit bike for him to strengthen his legs and body and hopefully help his herniated disc.
We went for a session at the Temple on Friday and worked our shift on Saturday after his last pain shot. He was a sealer substitute on Tuesday evening and I went with him to give him support. He is a miracle in the Temple especially when he is doing sealings as he moves along as normal and doesn’t seem to feel the pain he experiences at home. He does take some painkillers but even so he seems to be lifted and blessed.
Zach contacted us and asked that we teach him Temple prep as he is looking to receiving his endowments. We gave him a little introduction and talked to him about his relationship with his nonmember girlfriend Monica. We are proud of him but realize he has some challenging decisions to make and we will be praying for him. We have taught Max, Carol Jones and Geoff Cleeves Temple prep since returning from our mission and the Bishop says he has more coming up that he would like us to teach. We love it. We love the Temple.
Cindy and family were going to join the Burgess family at Shuswap this week for the annual Burgess family camp however the smoke from the forest fires in the interior has increased to a dangerous level and Liza and family have come here instead. The girls have planned daily activities and meals together. We are now the camp and we are thrilled to have them and appreciate their company, support and help. The Burgess family arrived Monday and they all went to Cultus Lake for boating activities with Reid Hardy’s boat on Tuesday. More to come this week. Liza works to get her daily training in at some point, usually early in the morning or late in the evening.
Tom’s pain is unchanged and Liza is going to take him to the pool for exercises and Cindy is getting the name of a PT and massage therapist that helped her friend with a herniated disc. Blood test this week had testosterone and other levels down and PSA slightly up. Onward, hopeful and grateful for love prayers and support.
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