November 28, 2006

First, we hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. We certainly did. We were with Mark's family here in Utah. The food was wonderful, the cousins played all day - had sleep overs that night, and Mark was feeling pretty good (not too much pain and only a little nausea.)

Second, yesterday we heard the results from the last scan. It was not what we were praying for. The new lesion that showed up on the last scan appears "more conspicuous" on this scan. Interval development of ascites has developed, which is fluid in the abdomen, "raising the possibility of portal vein thrombosis."

Third, now we have to make a decision for the next step. We still really want to go to Germany and try the methods used there, but we need many questions answered. We could also go back to chemo. Our oncologist still thought there were a couple that we could try and might have some success.

We are so lost as to what to do, but we have not lost hope or faith. We are not in despair. We are going to the temple today. Mark especially feels that's where we need to go today. We are so grateful for our eternal marriage. There is great peace in facing a trial such as this to know that mortal death will not sever our eternal family. Our fight is not yet over, but we just need to know which arena to step into. We pray we will be directed by our Father in Heaven to know what we should do.

November 22, 2006

I had a scan yesterday to determine whether this new treatment is working. We are nervous but optomistic. After the scan Marianne and I went to a movie. It was the first time we have done something like that in a long time.

Marianne's sister Diane was here for a visit last week which really picked Marianne up. Diane is a great friend and sister. They spent most of the time shopping and scrapbooking. Marianne needed the break. This new treatment I am getting requires a lot of work on her part.

On Saturday, Patrick, Chase, Tessa and I went to the BYU game. My friend Brad was kind enough to invite us to sit in his loge which we enjoyed although as it turned out, the weather was beautiful that day. I was unable to attend the prior three games so this was a treat. I was, however, quite tired after the game was over.

Keep up the prayers on our behalf. We need a miracle.

November 14, 2006

I am at the clinic this morning trying to recover. My spirits are surpringinly high. Last night the pain became so severe that Marianne and Stacie had to take me to the clinic and then to the hospital. At the clinic, they had tried to take me off all of my pain medication cold turkey and it simply did not work. The pain was so severe I could not sleep or eat.

I am feeling much better as we are going to slowly decrease the medication now. I think the fact that the clinic is so unbelievably expensive that they try and do things a little quickly.

My family is doing great. I am so proud of all of them. They are my joy. The hardest part about is the tremendous time away from my family. I miss them and I miss helping Marinne take care of the kids while I'm gone. I love Marianne.

November 3, 2006

Hi everyone...I was going to post a quick picture of Lucas on his first birthday, but for some reason it's not allowing me to add an image tonight. We had a quick little party with our sweet neighbors. Lucas was not interested in eating cake. Either he was too tired or he's like his dad and doesn't like having messy hands. I can't believe it's been a year. Not only for Lucas' life, but the cancer as well. The anniversary of finding out about cancer was actually October 14. We were in California and that was one of the days Mark wasn't feeling good so he stayed at the hotel that day. I wanted to celebrate that we had made it one year. It was a huge accomplishment considering what all the doctors expected would happen. Our goal now is to see year two come around, and celebrate with a party unlike no other (OK maybe that is a bit exagerated.) I'll get pictures up as soon as I can. I apologize I haven't done pictures very often.

Thanks is all we can say, and yet it never seems enough for all your kind posts, emails, thoughts and prayers. May God bless each and everyone of you for all your goodness. We feel it and we love you and thank you.

November 1, 2006

I am spending the day with my father at the Modern Health Clinic. Marianne purchased a laptop for my birthday so I could make it through these long days. I get to the clinic at about 10:00 a.m. and return home about 6:00 p.m. They are pumping me up with all kinds of vitamins and treatments. Hopefully we will know something soon. The cost and the time away from my family is taxing. We are encourage by the attitude at the clinic and I do enjoy spending the days with my father, mother, sisters. and wife.

I was quite sick these past few days with the flu (we think). I couldn't keep anything down and lost several pounds. Tessa and Chase also had the flu. We are looking forward to happier and healthier days in the Clement's home