October 5, 2021

 Cancer is a very up and down way of living and we are constantly praying for direction to help us maneuver thru the various routes and options available to us. We have been looking at the Theranostic targeted radiation therapy that is one of the newest and most successful and aggressive treatments for prostate cancer available at the moment. Tom found it almost immediately after he was diagnosed but the oncologist suggested we try hormones and other treatments rather than jumping to the most advanced first because the other treatments might not work if and when the Theranostic treatments begin to fail. That is the course we have been following with the xtandi hormones but as that has prematurely been failing we have turned again to the Theranostic as a possibility. Tom has been communicating with Germany, where the treatment was developed, and they are prepared to get us in quickly. Tom needs a PSMA preliminary test to determine if he is illegible and he could receive that here in BC or in Germany. We were ready to get over to Germany this weekend but the oncologist we met with today again suggested we check Tom’s condition out more here and consider less aggressive options first. Tom has decided to take the PSMA here on the 18th and consider things a little more after getting an updated bone scan, CT scan and talking to the neurologist regarding the results of the MRI for his herniated disc. All this is draining and tiring. It really does require  that you be your own advocate and do a great deal of praying. Thank goodness for prayer.

Tom served a sealing shift with Brother Barrette on Wednesday and another one for Frank Deyell on Friday evening as Frank had to serve as the Temple recorder. Friday was a lovely sealing session as we had Cindy, Paul, Max, the Leonards, the Wolseys and Ruth Pullman. We didn’t even need any ordinance workers. Jack had to work late on Thursday evening and Dago came by himself for our second Temple Preparation lesson. He is such a nice fellow and has such an interesting background. He was raised in Cuba which is a communist, Godless country and he tried taking rafts to freedom. Though that failed he eventually found his way to freedom and the gospel. Max and JayLynn both celebrated their birthdays on the fourth. They were born on the same day, same year.

The highlight of the week for us was two days of General Conference. We need the boost that conference brings every six months and we loved the wonderful messages delivered by our leaders. They certainly seemed to be encouraging vaccinations, covid testing and social distancing. They leave the decision up to individuals but “as for me and my house” they seem to be indicating. I am so sorry that this has become such a controversy in the church. I thank the Lord for our wise and humble leaders who seek nothing more than to do His will and bless our lives.