The Man Who Wouldn't Die

We've done our rounds of doctors this week. I have been waiting until after we saw Dr. Stultz to write, so today was it. He greeted Mike with a grin and handshake and said, "Well here's the man who wouldn't die." He said Mike looks amazingly good for all he's been through.

He drew pictures (I love pictures) and showed us where the cancer is and why Mike can only eat small amounts before becoming very full. This has bothered me a lot since I am trying to prepare something that will tempt his appetite. Now I know the reason he can only eat small amounts and that he should eat all day. He told Mike to switch from just protein drinks to the protein drinks made from whey. This will decrease the gases inside Mike's stomach and intestines. This alone has been very painful and we didn't know why.

Dr. S. told us Mike had probably another two years without chemo or radiation. However he is referring us to an oncologist. The concologist will call us and make an appointment. The oncologists are all from St. George but come to Cedar weekly. We will go and hear the options but Mike has to make this decision.

One of the good things he told us was that when the pain starts to get bad from the cancer, doctors in Salt Lake can go in through Mike's back and being guided by xray can sever the nerve. This will make it so Mike will not feel the pain. A-ma-zing! He also told us Mike's pain now is from the surgery and he should feel a lot better before he starts to get worse. I am just happy he will have some time without pain. It's been so hard to watch him hurt.

We are going elk hunting and will leave on Saturday three days after the hunt had started. I wish we had another week to get him really feeling better. But he is doing the very best he can for what he has been through.

The love of my life has lots of things to look forward to and I am praying for the best. Everyone should live their lives as though they only had two years or less to do everything they want to do and say everything they want to say. There is a song, Live like you were dying. They were just words before and now they are real.

Love you all, Mom