Every day is "Thanks Giving" around here...

I realize Halloween is still around the corner and there will be no Turkey for my dad this year. But at the Ricks' house it is Thanksgiving every day. Last week was a really good week for my dad. He is 90% healed from the whipple surgery and has even gained 4 pounds! (This can be credited to the persistent love and care of my mom.) It was also his week off chemo, so his energy was up and he was able to go the office and also Church on Sunday (as long as he wore a surgical mask.) Unfortunately for the next few months being in crowds or around young children is still not encouraged. He did the math on his church attendance and concluded he has missed more Church service in the last three months than combining his entire life of missed church service. (You could say he is the Brett Farve of Church goers.) He felt very uplifted to be able to attend Church last week and also to listen to LDS General Conference this weekend. Dad just started his third round of Chemo this week. We were highly encouraged by the oncologist who indicated they will probably do a CT Scan the end of his 4th round and radiation might be moved up a few months. This is very good news and we are looking at the different options available including the possibility of Proton therapy. We will know more the end of this series and/or possibly the fourth, but so far things look very good based on his blood work and how his body is responding to the treatment. My visit home and been so nice and I have really cherished this time with my parents. They are such amazing people and examples in my life and I continue to learn from them each day. They have always been the utmost example of hard work and gratitude and that has been magnified during this time. I love listening to their prayers of gratitude and love for the small things each day; food, a visitor and even chemo treatment. They have been so touched by the out pour of love and support and especially the prayers and notes in their behalf. ***On a side note, I would like to point out that I did not give my dad the wrong pills while visiting or cause any comas. :-) However, I did entrust Jamie and Nikki with my precious babies so I could come spend time with my parents. They have been having the time of their lives with their Aunties in Chicago. So a special thanks to them as well for making my visit happen! ;-)

*Sleep coma and SAA*

The last week has been full of events, progress and sleeeeeeeep. Yesterday, I accidentally gave my dad a pain killer instead of an anti-nausea pill, which in turn knocked him out cold for a solid 12 hours. Woops! A little sleep never hurt anyone. Sorry pops for the mix up, but hey, if you're sleeping, it's hard to be nauseated. Right?

A couple nights ago, the young women from my parents' church and their leaders spent time making my dad a super warm, super soft, and super healing blanket of love. And in my dad's words "It warms my body AND my heart." A huge thank you to all who were involved and the efforts put into "warming" my dad up.

Dad's weight loss has slowed. He's lost only a couple more pounds, and we think it's probably due to the fact that he's taking so many walks these days, and is more active than before. Now, we need to work on getting more calories in him to support his activities. He's also feeling confident that his body has just about completely healed from the whipple procedure, and that any pain/discomfort/side effects are more than likely attributed to chemo.

Last weekend I got the opportunity to participate in the Swim Across America event in Seattle. Jordan (my husband) was able to fly in for the weekend and spend time with my parents, and participate in the event also. Team Bruce consisted of several individuals who love and care for my dad. Over the past couple months, our team has hustled and bustled for donations for this cause. All funds went directly to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, which is where my Dad received his initial treatment and recovery, and is getting is chemo treatment via their Tri Cities Oncology site. Also, as the cherry on top, donations this year go specifically to a Pancreas Cancer Developmental Research Program to help design new and optimize current treatments for pancreatic cancer. It was a special, emotional, and fulfilling day. An additional highlight of the day was randomly running into my dad's whipple surgeon after the swim, Dr. Pillarisetty. It was nice to be able to spend time with him and thank him for saving my dad's life. Dr. P is also involved in charity work - to access his fundraiser, click here: http://getinvolved.fhcrc.org/site/TR/Events/Obliteride?px=1474132&pg=personal&fr_id=1300. I'm so happy to have been a part of something that brought loved ones of my dad together, and will hopefully have an impact on his specific type of cancer. A special thanks to Charlie Cunnick for leading our team in such a successful event, trekking all the way out to Seattle for it, and giving us an avenue to involve ourselves in something near to our hearts and that will have such a positive impact. Thank you to everyone who participated as team members and also everyone who made a donation. Team The Bruce was amazing, and hit it out of the ballpark by raising just under $10,500 (before corporate matching funds - which will put us over 12k). To view our team page or to make a donation (you still can!) click here: http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR/OpenWater/Seattle?pg=team&fr_id=1959&team_id=7671     Thank you, all!

I fly home tomorrow with a heavy heart. Being at home with my parents has been wonderful. It's been a special time, and I've cherished the conversations we've had, and even under the trying circumstances, I will cherish the new memories we've made - especially the SAA event, and even the sleep coma I accidentally induced on my dad.

Love to all,

Jamie

Up! Up! Up!

Hello all!

Jamie here. I'm in Washington again with my parents, happy to be back out, helping, and spending time. Last week was my Dad's week off of chemo, and it was a week full of progress. He's healed enough from his surgery now that he doesn't hate the thought of food. His weight loss has topped off for the time being. He was even able to make it down to the his office for a few hours! And most importantly, his spirits are up up up - he's even considering doing pranks on people, which says a lot. (Watch out!)

This week he was back on his chemo schedule. Making trips to the chemo center each week has been surprisingly inspiring. As you walk into the building, there are huge iron pillars, that have been crunched and bent, representing the strength it takes to maintain optimism through situations like my Dad's.

 

My Dad and the rest of our family is pulling strength from so many of you out there. This week, he received some special get well bracelets from the Burns kids! He wore them everywhere with pride, including to his chemo appointment. Thank you, Burns family!

This weekend, myself, and several fans of Brucie are heading to Seattle to participate in a swim fundraising event that we've been working on for a few months. All funds raised go to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, where my Dad is receiving his treatment. My dear friend, Charlie, headed up Team Bruce in honor of my dad, and the support of friends from far and wide has been amazing! To view our team page click here: http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR/OpenWater/Seattle?team_id=7671&pg=team&fr_id=1959.

Overall, things are looking up for my Dad. We have a lot to be grateful for with all of the progress he's making. He still has hard moments sometimes, but is a trooper and feels all of your prayers and well wishes.

Love to all,

Jamie

Sterlings Visit and Update

Thursday of last week was one of Dads worst days. A pretty violent vomiting spell left him feeling weaker than ever before.

Dads digestive system is finally working a little better, but we hesitate to really give any updates because things seem to change so quickly. He's able to eat more food and more of a variety of foods but it's by trial and error because some have an adverse effect, bread seems to be one. Unfortunately, he's still losing weight.

The shot Mom gave him Sunday worked because the Neutrophils ABS (white blood cell count) results went from 1.3 last week to 5.7 and he was able to have his chemotherapy treatment on Tuesday. Those shots pack a pretty powerful punch because Monday he was totally wiped out.

Thank you Sterling for coming from Utah to help out. Sterling asked Dad to make a list of chores which he has completed. What a strength he's been to our Dad!

Thank you little Charlie Quigley for the painted hands that have provided hugs to Dad. How cute are those little hands! What a warm and thoughtful gift.



Everyone has been so thoughtful, caring and respectful. Know that we are sending love and hugs back to all of you.

Treatment Update

Uncle Jim rode his motorcycle from California last weekend to visit. Doesn't he look so cool? My parents really enjoyed having him. Thanks for making the trip Uncle Jim!

Dad had his second chemotherapy treatment yesterday. Through the blood work we found out that his Neutrophils ABS (a type of white blood cell) went from 6.0 to 1.3 in a weeks time. If it falls below 1.0 he cannot continue with the chemo treatment. Mom will give him a shot of Neupogen (stimulates the bone marrow to help produce white blood cells) before his next treatment. 

With all of this going on Dad is extremely susceptible to germs and being exposed to illness could be detrimental. So please be aware when you're visiting and again, children unfortunately are discouraged.

The cards, children's drawings and pictures have all been kept and put on metal rings for Dad to look at and remember that he's loved. Thanks for continuing to send those.

We really appreciate the outpouring of love and concern that have come by way of prayers,cards, visits, goodies, phone calls and text messages. We love you and thank you.

"First Chemo Treatment, Check" - Mom

Dad completed his first chemo treatment today. He said he didn't feel any type of sensation. The only thing he felt was when the needle was inserted into the port.

^^^Val, his nurse that will be giving him treatment for the next six months. ^^^

We don't know what side effects he will have for another day or two. The side effects are across the board from some people feeling more energy and others none. Chemotherapy aside, we don't anticipate Dad feeling better for the next month or so, as recovery from his surgery typically takes 8 weeks.

Dad continues to lose weight because eating is still a struggle. He's fairly fatigued and has a hard time resting.

One upside is that Val suggested that he could eat ice cream with the highest fat content blended with ensure. He liked hearing that, but opted for ice cream without the ensure - for dinner. If you're curious, Haagen Dazs has one of the highest fat contents. Sorry if that ruins Haagen Dazs for anyone.

Unfortunately he was discouraged from being around children and crowds because his immune system will be weak for a while. Thank you for contacting my Mom to visit my Dad. Visits 45 minutes and under are a perfect pick-me-up for him!

Port Success!

Dad successfully had his port surgery. He was a little anxious going in but was pleasantly surprised with how quick and easy it seemed.

He just started eating semi-solid foods and is trying to get his weight up. 

He has had some great friends come over for visits and some going on walks, thanks George.

Also Jill Patterson brought by a poster of "get well" letters that her and her sunday school class made. My favorite was the blue box (can you spot it?). It said "I made you a box, enjoy".