Helmut’s Journey

Let see if I can write this thru the many tears I am shedding! The MRI results are in and they are not good at all! The BEAST has grown substantially and Dr Peats feels that there are tentacles behind the tumour that can’t be seen with the MRI! Because of this the decision was made to cancel all future Chemo Treatments. The plan is to increase his steroid in hopes to give him a better quality of life! So there you have it…the plan going forward is to make Dad as comfortable as possible and pray he can move to Heaven as pain free and peacefully as possible! I haven’t cried this much in months but man is my heart breaking! This summer has been filled with memory making and spending quality time with both Mom and Dad. We spent every weekend at the camper and did all the things. I have noticed a decline almost weekly in Dad, but I just pushed it aside in hopes that I wasn’t really seeing what I was seeing and still holding the dream that my Dad would live forever! It has been so hard to se...

~ This is an old picture but I love it ~ Well tomorrow is my Dad's 75th Birthday!! 2 years ago we didn't know if he would make 73 and here we are about to celebrate 75!! God's is so GOOD!! How will he celebrate...by going to Regina to get the final measurements in one eye for Cataract Surgery that will happen August 31st. Happy Birthday to him!! I know he can't wait until the 31st when he will be able to see again (at least out of one eye, second eye will come soon after). August 16th is MRI day, so with that we hope that the BEAST is gone or at least has shrunk or not done anything. If that is the case we are really hoping the Oncologist will grant him a Chemo Break so his body can rejuvenate from all the poison he has taken in. We have noticed of late that he is quite quiet (not much to say), his memory isn't as sharp, and when he is tired he walks bent backwards at the waist (which he doesn't realize when it happens). My hope is if he gets a Chemo Break his B...

RCMP Regimental Ball - June 24, 2023 I just got a text from Mom “My phone is ringing off the hook, we need a Blog update!!” LOL!! I guess you are all pretty dependant on this crazy novel of mine! Dad has been doing awesome since his last MRI. He amazes us on a daily basis with just how good he is doing. With as good as he is doing we do see anything that is out of wack. Lately his short term memory hasn’t been the greatest…but then again he never really has had a great memory, for the most part! Also Mom has noticed him slowing down a bit and a couple of weeks ago his left leg gave out, but with rest he regained his strength and was good to go that evening. We celebrated their 51st Wedding Anniversary on June 10th, so that is another milestone we didn’t expect to celebrate, and I got another Father’s Day in the books with him! Next is his 75th Birthday August 10th! Every extra day we get to spend with him is a blessing from God! Wednesday this week was MRI day. After being poked about ...

Time flies when you are having fun?!?!? Has it been fun though? I guess some parts have been fun...others I could have done away with! Today is 2 years to the day that Mom woke up to Dad having his Seizures, today is 2 years since our world changed forever, today is 2 years since I thought my time with my Dad was up, today is 2 years!! Dad is doing AMAZING by the way...Mom and I were discussing how he is actually looking younger! His hair has grown back thicker and it is no longer grey. He doesn't even have grey in his eyebrows anymore. I went to the movies yesterday here in Winkler and the guy sold me a Seniors Ticket (I'm only 45, so what if my hair is grey)...Dad would probably have to prove he is a Senior with how good he looks! He of course still has his rough days and his memory may not be as good as it once was...but hey the man has been fighting a Brain BEAST for 2 years, give him some slack! We now just wait for the next MRI to see where this journey takes us next. I p...

I am trying to type and update this blog thru the tears running down my face!! This week was MRI week! I have been on pins and needles all morning, and yes...I have news! Life has been busy for all of us since the last update. I was busy planning our District Lions Convention at the end of February, David was Ice Road Trucking for the past 21 days, Jason was doing his thing, and Mom and Dad were living life to the fullest everyday. We all have been trying to live as much of a normal life as we possibly can over these past 21 1/2 months, but it has been hard. Mom and Dad took David and I out for supper last night and on our way home we both agreed that any time we get to spend with them is truly a gift! With David's Mom no longer with us, he and I have really realized that this past year.  This journey has not been a fun one and it has had many ups and downs, hills and valleys, rivers and oceans, but it has been our journey as we have travelled it together as best we can. We have me...

Time for an update to the Blog!! What's with the title you may ask?? When I called Mom and Dad this morning to ask how things were going...Dad summed it up in one sentence..."I have told 100 people...if the Doctors didn't keep telling me I was sick, I would think I was healthy!" Well do I even have to continue with this update? OK I will...because you all apparently like reading it! In my last update, I spoke of Dad's major Chemo Treatment (all in one day, then nothing for 6 weeks). Well after that first round they did bloodwork and you guessed it...his platelets plummeted to 45. So the Doctor said no to more chemo until his levels came back up.  With this round of Chemo Dad has been dealing with dry mouth at night. He has tried different remedies and the best one he has come up with is eating Pickled Herring of all things. I'm thinking it is the salt content that is making his saliva glands go into overdrive!! Best part is...when he returns to bed and tries t...

Where has the last year gone? We have been through many valley’s but we have triumphed through all of them! We could not have done it without all your prayers and support! Thank you! I said I would update the Blog once David and I got back from Cuba…so we are now back after being delayed for 2 days! We were suppose to be home on the 23rd but we landed with Santa Christmas Morning at 415am! After 3 hours of sleep we hit the road for Mom and Dad’s to spend the holiday with them! It was a great weekend! Anyway you want to read about Dad…not me! You last read that Dad was starting a brutal 1 pill Chemo Regiment and then nothing for 6 weeks! Well he is in the middle of that right now except it was 7 pills not 1. He took 2 Antinausia pills, waited an hour and then took 7 Chemo pills and headed to bed. The next morning he took a couple more antinausia pills and again the next day…and you guessed it…our miracle man has not been sick AT ALL!! Dad is amazing everyone with how he is doing! His ne...