May 10, 1987 Orem, Utah

Dearest Johnny; Roy & Patrice; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura & Brett; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann, & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:

Today is a beautiful Mother's Day and a very happy one for me - I am so proud to be your Mother and appreciate so much your thoughtfulness to me. I hope all the Mothers in our family are having a special day. They always present flowers or books to Mothers at church and this morning in our ward they gave each mother a beautiful pink rose all wrapped in cellophane and it was chocolate - I had heard of them but had never seen them. I have put mine in that ivy plant by the kitchen sink and it looks cute!

My letter last week said we would be in Boston until the 20th so now I will explain why we're back home. I wrote to Johnny the day after we came home so he would know everything the rest of you know concerning Daddy's illness. Daddy says I'm making too much of this but I don't want anyone to be "mad" at me. We have never in our forty years of married life been faced with a very serious illness and in fact, have bragged excessively about our "good health" so this is a new wrinkle for us and we surely are up to this challenge. We had talked awhile back about one of us being ill for a period of time and Daddy doesn't think I am very gets sick because I would be the better nurse" ... those words have come back to haunt him - Ha!!!

Roy's doctors in Boston recommended a urologist in Salt Lake for us to go to and even made an appointment for us to see him the day after we came home - this doctor had studied under them. Toy called and talked to him on Thursday morning (our appointment was for that afternoon) so he was expecting us and really gave us personal attention. He gave Daddy more tests and couldn't find that the cancer cells had spread in any place that could be detected without surgery. So the plan now is for Daddy to have surgery next Monday (May 18th) in the Holy Cross Hospital - if they find it has spread into the lymph nodes they will do some treatment and then plan for radiation on the prostate gland. If it has not spread into the lymph nodes they will remove the prostate gland and the affected area. This doctor was so personal and said that the life expectancy for Daddy with his good health excluding the prostate cancer should be 18 years more and he wanted for him to have that if possible. Please, please don't worry - especially you Johnny - Daddy looks and feels like a million dollars and every test they have given him has shown that it is in the very early stages and it can be cured or controlled by radiation or surgery or both.

I want to write about our trip to Boston because it was such a very special time for us and we want to thank Roy & Patrice so much. This was Patrice's last week in school and she had a million things to catch up on plus trying to get ready to leave on Saturday to go to San Antonio. They emptied their dresser drawers so we could unpack and just unrolled the red carpet for us. Roy met us at the airport and took us to their apartment where they had dinner already - we had never eaten artichokes and that was such a treat. Monday morning, Roy & Daddy went to Massachusetts General Hospital and visited with the urologist there - that afternoon Roy helped us become familiar with their transit system which is met right close by their apartment. Daddy and I shopped at Filene's basement and other places in downtown Boston - Roy had to work that day and all that night. Tuesday Roy took us to the Museum of Science in Boston and also the headquarters of the Christian Scientist Church (it was much like our Temple Square) - you just wouldn't believe the Omni Theatre in the Museum of Science - we sat and watched a film of the space shuttle taking off and I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't animated - it was just spectacular!!!! Tuesday night Roy really proved all his domestic skills that he has learned since he left home - he cooked swordfish steaks on their grill, baked potatoes, green salad, green beans and delicious ice cream. We ate in their dining room by candle light and it was so neat !!!! Patrice had attended a going away party for herself but she was home by 7:30. Wednesday, Roy & Daddy saw the urologist at Brigham & Women's Hospital - he gave them lots of information and made the appointment for the Salt Lake Doctor. We changed our airlines' tickets to leave that afternoon (Roy wrote us a medical letter so they didn't question our reason for changing them and were very cooperative). We had a direct flight home and Ann was waiting at the airport for us about 9 p.m.

Johnny - your letter surely was welcome when we got home. We loved reading about the teaching experiences you and your companion are having - isn't that a neat thing when you see investigators finally see the light??? It's so funny to hear that it is getting cool there in the night time now - that has always been hard for me to understand the different weather patterns throughout the world - when it's cold in Orem I think it should be cold all over and vice versa. Those people you taught should have been baptized today - were they??? We hope you got the BYU Bulletin and that you will send us the classes you want so we can get you registered - you can do it later but as you know, often you can't get into the ones you want unless you register early. I know I shouldn't say this BUT we will really be happy to have you home!!!!

Bob & Claire - what a very thoughtful Mother's Day gift. (They sent a video of their children that covers a period of almost a year). Daddy and I sat down last night and watched it for awhile and then we finished it this afternoon and we absolutely just love it - we feel like we have had a really good trip to your home. We just talked to them on the phone and Claire said their friend had loaned them the camera once a month for the past year so they could do this. The children are so spontaneous and very natural - it is just precious and we will watch it periodically for forever - Thank you!!! Your backyard is just beautiful and we are very impressed with the deck you have built Bob.

The Woolleys and Weinerts are doing fine - we stopped in to see Jeannie on Friday because we went to Brigham City to check on Grandpa Forrest. Jeannie & Rick have really planted some beautiful plantings in their back yard - it doesn't look like the same place. Grandpa Forrest's arms are all bruised and have sores on them - when I inquired about them they told me they have to restrain him with cloths and he fights them and pulls to try to have them come loose. He will be 91 in a few weeks - ugh!!! Remember, I have his genes!!!!

Susanna played in a piano recital that was judged at BYU. She played in the same thing last year and got an excellent which I think is very good but she had worked so hard this year and was really, really thrilled to be judged superior. They have "dug the hole" for their home and Ron said he thinks they will pour the footings on Tuesday - they will have an absolutely gorgeous view that will be theirs forever.

We had a letter and pictures from Dorothy Woods just before we went to Boston - Carol is getting married in June and her announcement was in the paper. She is such a pretty girl - they sent a picture of her with her fiancé' and he looks so young. I would just love to go for the wedding and if you were here Johnny, WE WOULD!!!! It will be the week after Roy & Patrice get married so we could travel from Boston to Little Rock and see the sights. It was so exciting to talk to Roy & Patrice about their wedding plans and have Patrice describe a dress she had found - she will be a beautiful June Bride and we're all looking forward to being with them for their special day. We wish you could be with us Johnny but don't get trunky!!!!

I believe that's all the news. I promise to keep you all posted on Daddy's surgery - he has our yard in picture perfect shape and that is going to be my biggest challenge - to keep it that way!!!

We love each one of you so very much. PLEASE BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. Let us know how we can help you!!
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