The Roller Coaster Ride!!

It is now 9:34 and the mood is more subdued here at the hospital. None of us was prepared for what we saw when we went to visit my dad after recovery. I sit here trying to describe it and I am struggling to find the words. He is fighting the trachiotomy tube and is in so much pain. We had thought that they would have him heavily sedated but the Dr. does not want him to be. Seeing my dad in so much discomfort and so distressed has been traumatizing to all of us, especially my mom. It is bound to be a long night. Please remember him in your prayers tonight. Pray for him to be be able to relax and calm down so that he can begin to heal. We appreciate you all and thank you for your messages of encouragement.

Surprise

Dad is out of Surgery!! We were starting to get concerned because we hadn't received our update call when my mom saw my dad's hospital bed fly by the waiting room. Dr. Sharma came to give us the details on how the overall surgery had gone. Here is what we know: the tumor was at the junction of the tongue and the throat, the voice box and the rest of his throat look fine. The lymph nodes that were removed have been sent to pathology for testing to see how many were involved. This is important to determine the course of follow up treatment: definitely radiation and possibly chemo. He had a 5x5 cm portion of his tongue removed. Dr. Sharma is convinced that all cancerous material was removed and all margins are clear. Tentatively, dad will be in the ICU through Monday then transfered to a regular room on Tuesday. While in ICU he will only be able to have 2 visitors for 5 minutes every hour. They will have him up and walking tomorrow(can ya believe that!). The doctor is hopeful that he will be able to be discharged a week from today. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!!! For all of your love and support and comments throughout this difficult and long day.

4th Update / 3:19 p.m.

Jen just called and the surgical team is now working on attaching the "free flap" from his arm to his neck. All is going well. Talk (type) to you in a couple of hours.

3rd Update/1:20 p.m.

Nurse Jen is being very faithful in her calls to us and has been calling every two hours. She reported that they are done with the neck dissection and mandibulotomy. They are now working on the arm to get the free flap, which is the muscle that they are going to plug into the hole that has been left in his neck from the removal of all the cancer affected tissues. They said Dad is doing well!!

2nd Update/11:16 am

At 11:16 nurse Jennifer called to give us an update. Everything is going good and the doctor is working on the neck and jawbone. One of the things my dad was worried about was that part of the jawbone(mandible)would have to be removed, but the nurse said that at this time they don't believe that is necessary.However, the nurse explained that they are cutting the jawbone(mandible) to gain access to underlying tissues and then they will let the bone heal back together.

1st Update/ 9:13 a.m.

We just received our first call from Jennifer, the surgery nurse. She informed us that the surgery started at 7:46 am and that all is going well. Mom was also relieved to know that they will let us see Dad when he comes out of surgery even if it is into the no visiting hours that are posted. We are trying to stay distracted by visiting up a storm.

Good Morning from SL Regional Medical Center

The wee early hours here at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center were full of paperwork, consent forms, IV's, worried hearts and yes, an occasional joke. Dad was in good spirits (assisted by good drugs) as they whisked him away to the operating room. We have been put up in deluxe accommodations (the ICU waiting room)and are preparing ourselves for a very long day. They will be calling occasionally from the operating room to tell us how things are going and we will update everyone as we can. Even though there is no internet hookup available to the public the chaplain has let us use her office computer and internet hookup to keep you updated (SUPER NICE). Know we feel of your love and support. Love Angie

Surgery Location Change

The surgery will now be at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. Same date, same time.

Family Home for the Weekend

All of Marty and LaRee's Kids and Grandkids (except for Chris and Family) were home for the weekend. We had a fun barbecue on Saturday night that included Ilene, Darren, Scott and Stephanie. All of us went to Sacrament Meeting and then had a lunch at Mom and Dad's house. We were grateful for the chance to be together.

Grandpa Marty & Me

Grandpa Marty get feeling better soon. Love, Handy Andy

Good Luck Friday Dad!

Dad, I love you and know that all will go well with your surgery on Friday. Love, Deid

Surgery Date

The sugery date is set for Friday August 31,2007.
Please send your words of encouragement to this blog site. I think all of us are getting great comfort from just knowing your thinking of us. Ang

The Boat!

If any of you out there know of anyone who is looking to buy a boat please contact our family. Dad loves this boat, but with his health chalenges at this time he really needs to get it sold. Please help our family get the word out.

Great News!!!!!!

Wonderful News! The cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. The P.E.T. C.T. scan showed that the cancer involves the side of his throat,three lymph nodes,a little of his tongue and down to his voice box but not his vocal chords.
The kind of Cancer that Dad has is Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The tenative plan as of right now is to have a surgery that will remove the cancer-affected areas and then fill in his neck with a flap of muscle taken from his forearm. After a recovery time of approx. 4 weeks he will then undergo radiation and chemotherapy. However, Dad's Dr. is taking his case to what they call a "Tumor Board", a group of doctors from the area that all weigh in on serious or rare cancers. (Unfortunately, I know this as I was one of the cases presented to them last year UGGG!)If the cancer board agrees with the plan we go ahead from there. They are saying that this whole process will involve 3 months treatment and 3 months recovery time. We have celebrated this huge news but at the same time there is a huge weight of the daunting task ahead. We will update you as we can and let you know when the surgery date is scheduled. As of right now we have no idea whether it will be a week or a month away. Once again we appreciate your support. Remember Dad in your prayers. Love, Us

Dear Grandkids (and anyone else who plans to give hugs and kisses),
Just know that Grandpa is trying really hard to be a good patient. He loves hugs and kisses and all, BUT be very careful with his neck. It is VERY tender. I keep accidentally hurting him. Ouch! Love, Grandma Ree

Ward Fast- The Power of Numbers

Brother Robert Timothy of the Bennington Ward announced a Ward Fast in Church today. He encouraged members to Fast this week, according to their own schedules. LaRee and Marty recieved so many words of encouragement at Church and drew strength from family and friends. They already have a strong testimony of the power of Fasting in numbers. Thank you to everyone who joins in!!!!

Dad's Slice of Heaven!

Monday

Dad is meeting with Dr. Sharma on Monday the 20th at 2:30 p.m. to find out the results of the P.E.T. Scan ,which will determine if the cancer has spread through out his body. If it hasn't then surgery will be scheduled and we will let you all know the date. The surgery will be 12 hrs long and dad will have to stay in the hospital for a week. If the cancer has spread a new plan will be made at that time. Deidra

The Diagnosis

Obviously, if you are reading this you already know that Marty has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Throat Cancer. We would like to use this blog as a way for his family and friends to stay informed and to take the pressure off of the "phone brigade". Please feel free to ask any questions or pass on your encouraging comments to Marty and LaRee. They will get back to everyone as they can. We will update this blog as we get more information or if there are any changes. Thank you for your love and support. Love Angie and Deidra