May 20, 2016

On May 10^th Rick had the last of the chemo for his first round.  On the way up to Huntsman, we stopped by Rick’s office for a quick visit.  It was so great to see so many of his friends at Carollo.  I know he really misses work, I mean maybe not the work, but he really misses his many friends there.  Rick used to travel to other offices, most recently he had spent a lot of time in the Costa Mesa office.  He misses them as well as so many in other offices at Carollo and I know that those relationships really mean a lot to him.  Over the years Rick and I have been able to travel a lot and spend a lot of time with many clients.  Those relationships also mean so much to both of us.  Anyway, we were able to snap a few photos at the Salt Lake office before we went to Huntsman.  It’s hard to go up there when Rick is finally feeling better only to have chemo and get sick again.  Many times he says how it will all be worth when we kick this cancer!

Our children had these awesome t-shirts made for all of our family.  They ordered a limited amount of extra t-shirts so if you would like one, they are $8.00 and you can talk to one of the kids about them.  It has been so fun for Rick to see so many of our family and friends wearing their Strong Like Rick shirts.  It really buoys him up to see so much support.  We proudly wore them to Huntsman last week and they were really a hit.  Rick’s sister Kate was able to join us.  She was so impressed with all the nurses and Dr.’s and all the other team that works with Rick.  One person on the team said, “Rick, every week you bring these beautiful women up here with you.”  She said, “You have such a beautiful family, they all look like movie stars.”  Kate got a kick out of that.  We loved having her with us.

The days following the chemo were quite hard for Rick, but as usual he never complained.  Rick has so much faith!  He always reminds me that God is in charge and we need to have faith in him and in the plan, regardless of whatever that plan is.  He is such an inspiration to all of us. We celebrated our youngest granddaughter’s first birthday.  It is always wonderful to have our family around us!   It really brightens our days.  Rick’s sister Keri and brother in law Dave came up from Gilbert to visit us.  It was so fun to see them! 

Last Tuesday was the normal chemo day but Rick got to have a week off.  That was something we have been looking forward to.  He has three weeks on and then a week off.  We still go to Huntsman to have a few tests run.  They also gave Rick two bags of fluid to see if that would help him feel better. 

Tuesday night was the Carollo Engineer’s company party.  We went up to TopGolf.  Rick’s office ordered some amazing t-shirts that said, “Sock it to Cancer” on the front and then on back they said, #stronglikerick and the Carollo logo.  It was so amazing to see so many people wearing their shirts and their crazy socks and showing their support for Rick and our family.  There were people here from other offices as well.  At one point, Clint Rogers (the office manager) asked everyone to give Rick an applause.  Everyone stood up and clapped for such a long time.  It was very touching for our family to feel so much love and support!  Rick was so happy and overwhelmed with the support of everyone.  How blessed we have been through the years to work for such a wonderful company.  Our next door neighbor, Kerri Young and her partner came and talked about their foundation called, “Sock it to Cancer.”  The foundation gives crazy, fun socks to the patients at Huntsman as the receive chemo.  Kerri lost a sister and father to Cancer and since then, she has been volunteering at Huntsman as a way to give back.  Many from our office made donations to her foundation.  We had a huge group picture and then Rick spent the evening talking to everyone.  What a wonderful night that was for our family!  Thank you Clint, Alanah and Barbara for all your work and thank you to all the employees for all your love and support!

Kerri & Ricki
Sock It To Cancer

 Kelsey & Evan's family

 Rick & Ash

 Jess & Rick

Marcia, Emmerich, Kelsey, Edith, Maddie, and Agnes

Maddie & Rick

Barbara, Rick, and Edd 

 Narayanan & Rick

 Rick, Jake and Janet

 Lindy, Matt, and Rick

 Kathy, Jerry, and Rick

Clint, Rick, and Alanah 

 Rick & Todd

 Emma, Clint, Rick, and Jana

Steve & Rick

As the week progressed, Rick has felt better each day. Yesterday we were able to go to the beautiful Payson Temple.  We were so thankful for a wonderful night together!  We even stopped for Chinese food after and check out our fortune… "A goal is a dream with a deadline."

Through all of this, we have received so many wonderful little miracles and blessings.  We look for things each day that we are thankful for.  All of you are some of our greatest blessings. 

We love you!

Love, Rick & Jana

#stronglikerick

#wheadonstrong

"God is working on your behalf today.  Heaven is holding conversations about you. Angels have been assigned to you.  Just breathe, and be at peace."

May 8, 2016

Last Tuesday, Rick had his second treatment of chemotherapy.  We had several appointments in the morning and then we went up to infusion later in the afternoon.  Dr. Garrido was so happy to hear that Rick was feeling better than he had for the last few weeks.  This is a picture of the dream team!  From left to right we have Victor who is the clinical trial coordinator.  He is super nice and his family lives near Whitney is CT and they even go to the same church.  (small world)  Next we have Rick, who continues to be an inspiration to all of us and then on the right is Dr. Garrido.  He is a PHD/MD so he is very smart!  He is also the principal investigator for the clinical trial that Rick is participating in.  We have so much respect for him.  Many times, I throw questions at him (I’m a planner so I need to know everything) but he always spends as much time as we need to get our questions answered.  We were also excited when we got there and noticed that everyone is wearing the Strong Like Rick wristbands.  We feel like they are fighting right along with us.  Dr. Garrido is wearing two wristbands.  One is a purple one for pancreatic cancer, and the other one is for Rick.  The nurse even painted her fingernails to match the band. 

 

 There are probably about 70 different cubicle areas where the patients are receiving chemotherapy.  It is interesting to look around at everyone else there.  We see people of all ages being treated.  Everyone is so friendly.  The one thing I have really learned is how people with cancer seem to have so much gratitude.  Rick is especially this way and he always looks for blessings each day, even though it can be hard at times.  We have really gained a different perspective during the last few months.  Suddenly the things that used to be so important don’t really matter anymore.   

This is a picture of the infusion area from a distance.  We were the last ones done last week so it was pretty empty when I took this picture.  The windows go all around the room so that the patients have this beautiful view to look at.  The chemo takes about an hour for each bag that contains the chemo drug.  Rick receives three different bags.  One thing I never knew is that everyone up there is taking different drugs.  I assumed chemo was the same for everyone.  I know I say this every week but Huntsman is such a hopeful and happy place.  We feel so inspired by the people we meet up there.  This is a picture of the inspiration wall.  There are many thoughts and quotes that the patients share with each other. 

Usually after a day or two, Rick really feels the affects of the drugs.  He said it kind of feels like he has the flu.  He kind of feels chills and just kind of lousy.  Rick is still trying to get his blood pressure regulated.  He is fine when sitting or laying but when he stands up, his blood pressure goes too low.  This week Dr. G ordered a home health care nurse to come to our home and give him an IV with saline.  Keeping him more hydrated really helps to regulate his blood pressure.  After getting the fluids after his first chemo, he felt so much better but this week has been a little more challenging.  He hasn’t felt quite as well this week.  Even with all that, he is still a superstar!!!

Rick’s family has been so supportive of him. (us)  They brought a bunch more wristbands so if you want one, we have a bunch more!  We love all the support we can get!  We are so appreciative of both of our families!  Rick’s mom brings him some of his favorite foods and love that only a mother can give.  We appreciate her so much!  My family came to visit us also.  Look at this cute blanket that the Fuhriman family made for Rick.  He loves it!  Rick also had visits from work associates and as usual, our many friends and neighbors have been dropping off so many thoughtful things as well as food to eat.  We get emotional when we talk about the love we feel from all over! 

Today Maddie spoke in the Young Single Adult Ward where we used to serve.  Rick was able to go with me to hear her speak.  I knew he wasn’t feeling the best but he never complains.  Maddie’s talk was wonderful.  She is so strong as well!  We were so happy to see many of our adult leader friends there and all the kids.  We really miss it and felt so much at home there!

Thank you again for all your love and support!  We love you all!