November 9, 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:

It's Monday morning and we just came home from Daddy's radiation treatment. Last week was one we will never forget. We had our appointment with Dr. Brown, the Oncologist at Utah Valley Hospital, on Tuesday afternoon and he confirmed that the cancer had spread to Daddy's spine. We are disapp9nted because we had hoped it was confirmed to the pelvic area but now we will deal with this. The good news is that after only two radiation treatments Daddy was completely free from any of the pain he has suffered for the past month or so - we can't believe it!!! We're hoping there won't be any side effects from the treatments like when he has it on the prostate area - he will only have these treatments for two weeks - he'll finish on November 17th. He has an appointment with Dr. Middleton, the urologist in Salt Lake, on November 19th and he will tell us about doing surgery (castration) - guess that is inevitable. I don't know if any of you have heard about that article that appeared in the paper not long ago about prostate cancer - it told about a clinic in Canada that was using a special drug (flutimide) in connection with this other surgery - it is called combination therapy. I wrote for more information on it and they sent us a lot of material - it is used in many states here in the United States but not in Utah. Anyway - we are going to ask Dr. Middleton about it - it is supposed to be more effective than what they are using now. Daddy is his "old self" and wants to go fishing today - it's really too cold though!!!

We had such a fun day on Saturday. The Weinerts came down from Farmington and the Woolleys came over and among other things that we did they raked all our leaves and bagged them - we had twenty-one bags of leaves for the garbage man this morning. I couldn't believe how "many hands made light the work" and it was just wonderful!!!! We had fun visiting and playing - we had watched BYU win their game over San Diego State earlier in the day BYU has a good team and everyone is quite surprised because they lost so many of their games earlier.

We have really appreciated your phone calls, Bob & Roy - I know it must be frustrating to you to "know so much" and not be able to help Daddy. We understand though and it is a challenge we are asked to go through - why, we'll never know, I guess!!!!

Bob - you have a birthday this week - we hope it's really a Happy Day for you. Jeannie said that Dr. Cox was having his attorney draw up a contact for you and that it was taking longer then he had expected. We're keeping our fingers crossed!!!!

Aunt Carol called from Hawaii last night - waked us up at 11 p.m. but she is sweet to call. They will be home the first of February - I hope Daddy will be feeling well enough to have a welcome home party for them. February is kind of a hard month to have a party like that because it will involve a lot of people and we had hoped to have it outside. Our backyard is absolutely gorgeous - we love Fall anyway and with the beautiful leaves falling it is a pretty sight!!!

We and the Woolleys went to Ramona & Winstons' Golden Wedding Anniversary open house last Friday. It was really a beautiful affair - their children had enlargement of many pictures of them through the years and they were displayed all around. Their daughter, Margaret, had come from Virginia and it was good to see her - we hadn't seen her for about ten years. All their children were there except for Mike and we don't know where he was. They has a big crowd and their children serenaded them during the evening and Ramona & Winston danced - it was special!!!!

Daddy & I met the Woolleys up at their home last night and went through it. It is such a gorgeous home and they are getting mighty anxious to move in - one of the prettiest things about it, room. We love the floor plan - it is so net to have access to their upstairs without having to go into their main entrance. They won't be in for another month - I'm sure!!!! We went to their home for ice cream and their children became a little "unruly" and Ann reminded them that it was a week ago that Russell fell against the sharp edge of the wall and cut his eye - he really looked awful for a few days and had a have a plastic surgeon come in to put the stitches in.

It's so fun to see our grandchildren grow and develop into "little people". It has been amazing to us to see how little Sarah has changed so Much - she has such a darling personality and her little eyes just sparkle when she looks at you and smiles. After the Weinerts left the other night I felt bad that I hadn't spent much time with Mary Ann - she is one you have to "seek out" and I didn't take the time.

Bob told us about Michael & Lauras' Halloween costumes and they sounded adorable - Michael was a dinosaur again and Claire had made Laura a Sleeping Beauty costume - he didn't say what Brett was. Claire is such a good seamstress, her children will always have special costumes.

Patrice - your family is coming for Thanksgiving - right???? We couldn't remember if they are coming then or for Christmas. It will be so wonderful for you to be all together again!!!!

I believe that's all the news. Daddy & I are going to ride up in the canyon this afternoon and see the changing leaves - it is a gorgeous day.

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