Treatments

Erik will begin treatments to rid the cancer under his chin area.  Because they weren't able to get clean margins with his last surgery... it is recommended by the tumor board to do something more than keep "cutting".  Radiation, yes... and chemo.... probably.  We met with Ying Hitchcock from Huntsman about Radiation.  She recommends it.  It's tricky, but needed.  It's tricky because Erik has already been radiated 4 1/2 yrs ago.  They could do it up north, but it could also be done here in Cedar.  Same specialized equipment.  However, it would be with a different team of doctors down here, though.  That's ok.  After all that's been said and done and pondered and prayed over... Dr. Donaldson and Dr. Haslam will take care of Erik's treatments.  They have been in consultation with physicians up north and with Dr. Hitchcock to go over a good plan for Erik.   Erik will have both Radiation and Cisplatin Chemo.  The radiation will be a smaller area than last time... because it has to.  And Chemo is to help aid the radiation do it's job. Chemo is and has not been a good choice of treatment with Mucoepidermoid tumors.  Otherwise it would have been used before.  Their hope is that it will make the radiation more effective.  So here we go.  Erik feels good about all of this.  So does Dennis.  I am pretty much numb.  I don't know what I feel... so I am glad they do.  The Temple Service mission thing will be put on hold for a time.  6 weeks... for treatments and another couple of weeks to gain strength back.  It will be January.  Perfect timing for after the holidays.  That's another tender mercy.  Going through treatments during the months of November and December.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are wonderful holidays to focus on and enjoy.  It's always good for family to come together and spend time and celebrate our blessings and celebrate the birth and life of the Savior.  The little kids help make it fun, too.  Tim and Brooke's little boys love life and all the small things.  It makes us adults step back and enjoy the small moments, too. I love how they call Santa.... "Ho-ho".

Justin starts wrestling this week.  It was a decision of yes or no for awhile.  He just wasn't quite sure.  He's a talented smart athlete.  Giving it another year will be good.  I think he'll have a good season.  He's keeping his grades up in school and in his honor classes.  I am happy for him.

Ashley and Hayden are doing well and are healthy.  They keep doing well in all their Xcountry workouts and meets.  This next weekend is Regionals in New Mexico.  Top finishers qualify for Nationals and they both have a good shot at doing just that!