A Busy But Fun Week

This week has been a whirlwind of activity. Somehow, Dick has risen to the occasion and has participated in almost everything. He is doing very well, I think. His two naps a day are down to one good nap a day. He still doesn't have a lot of energy, but he has kept up with the activities of the week.

A week ago Sunday was Father's Day, and we went to Jenny's for dinner. We had yummy Moroni marianated turkey, which Ryan grilled on his new grill, as well as other tasty food. We enjoyed the company of the Woods, Val Jones, and Toni and Ton. Sammy Kimball also came because he went to a BYU football camp on Monday.

On Monday, we took Ton and Toni to Jolley's Ranch up Hobble Creek Canyon, and Jenny and Dick cooked a dutch oven dinner. Toni and I cut up all the potatoes and onions. We had chicken and country-style potatoes, along with other good food.

The next day, we took the Hanse's around BYU. They were very impressed with it. Then, they wanted to go to a dinosaur museum, so took them to Thanksgiving Point, where they enjoyed looking at all the dinosaur bones, etc. They also enjoyed going to Cabelos.

The Hanse's spent a lot of time with Wynn and Joyce Hemmert, who kept them very busy for the rest of the week. We were able to take them to dinner at the Olive Garden. Here is a picture of them and Grandpa Dalebout.

The big Dalebout family reunion was on Saturday. Jenny and Joyce put this reunion together and did a great job. I knew about 1/4 of the people there. They came from four of the siblings of Dad Dalebout's father. Bill Dalebout did the large picture, and Ton talked about the Dalebout roots in Holland. It was very nice.

Ton gives a genealogical account of our family and his family history work.

Amy and Elle came into town on Thursday so Amy could go to her 20-year class reunion and the Dalebout family reunion. Ashlynn and Scott had to stay in San Diego because Ashlynn had a soccer tournament. We missed them, but Sam and Elle and Amy were delightful and we had fun with them.

Dick's head is looking better all the time.

The night before Toni and Ton left, we had a pancake dinner for them at Grandpa Dalebout's house. It felt like old times. We had a fun time. We were sad to say goodbye to our new-found relatives and friends. We really grew to love them in a short time.

Meeting Family We've Never Met Before

On Tuesday evening, Ton and Toni Hanse came from Holland to visit their cousins here in Utah. They have never met their Utah Dalebout family. Ton's grandmother was a sister to the three Dalebout brothers who joined the LDS Church and left Holland to come to Utah many years ago.

About a year ago, Ton was traveling through southern Utah. He knew that he had relatives in Utah. So, he began looking up Dalebouts on the internet, and he happened to find Dick's e-mail address. He wrote to him and and told him that he (Ton) was Aaltje Dalebout's grandson. He wanted to know if Dick was related to her. Dick returned his e-mail and then passed the information on to his dad. However, because Dad isn't great with the computer, he passed the message on to Jenny Wood.

For the past year, Jenny has been corresponding with Ton. He is very interested in the family and wants to get as much genealogy as possible. He says that he feels prodded by his grandmother to learn more about his family line and what it was that brought his great uncles to Utah.

Dick sent him the history that he (Dick) and his dad wrote of his Grandfather and Grandmother Dalebout. Ton was thrilled with it and wanted to know if he could make copies to give to his relatives. He even translated it so they would be able to read it. Ton and Toni wanted to come visit Dick and Grandpa Dalebout in 2010. However, Jenny told him that we would be going on a mission and wouldn't be here. So, he decided that they would come before we left on our mission, which is right now.

Jenny and some other family members and descendents of the three immigrating brothers decided to have a grand Dalebout family reunion when Ton and Toni came. Therefore, on June 27th, we are doing just that, having a big family reunion. There will be many there whom we have never met. Ton is going to speak and tell us a little about his grandmother and his parents.

Ton and Toni are delightful people and have been fussed over by all those whom they have met. The picture below shows relatives on the Dalebout line who met them at the Salt Lake Airport. Afterwards, they all went out to eat. As you can see, Dick is right there with them. He is doing quite well. The last two days, he has driven to BYU and to the Provo City Building and a law office. He's doing remarkably well.

Those in the picture are Front l-r: Grandpa Dalebout, Toni Hanse, Ton Hanse, Joyce Hemmert (cousin). Back l-r: Jenny Wood, Dick Dalebout (cousin), Joyce Hemmert's sister, Jack Sieverts (cousin), LeRee Sieverts, Wynn Hemmert.

It Has Been a Nice Sunday

Today has been a good day for us. Dick was able to attend the Pattee's welcome home speeches at their ward. It was the first time he has gone to church in three weeks. The Pattees gave great talks and inspired us all to continue to want to serve missions.

Dick felt pretty good. He slept in the morning, we went to the Sacrament meeting in the afternoon, he came home and had another nap, and then he took a walk around the ward with Ron Dennis. Then, the family came over for dinner and we had a nice visit with them. He was tired when everyone left but managed to do some reading.

Abish came to dinner and made a lucious cake for desert. Jenny and the kids came, but Ryan was in meetings all afternoon, so he didn't come. Jenny made a nice salad and cookies.

Abish is going to be leaving on Friday to go home to Singapore. Hopefully, she will finish up her interview with the stake president on Tuesday so her missionary papers can go in. She will receive her call in Singapore. Any guesses as to where she will go? She is very excited about going home, as she has not been home in two years, and she is anxious to see her family. We will miss her. She has been such a postive influence on our family. Jenny's kids LOVE her and didn't want to say goodbye to her. She is a fun person and will be a great missionary. We all love Abish.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

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Two weeks ago, Amy flew in from San Diego to be with her dad when he had his surgery. As she drove down to Provo, it was in the early evening, and the mountains and scenery were so beautiful. She said that she didn't remember seeing Utah as pretty and green as it was then.


This spring has been absolutely "Picture Perfect." Every day that I go out, I am amazed at how beautiful things are. We have had a lot of rain, which makes the earth green. The roses and other flowers have flourished in the coolness and refreshness of the rain. I have savored every minute of it.

I love the Primary song "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." Here are the words.

Whenever I hear the song of a bird or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose or walk by our lilac tree,

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me

He gave me my eyes that I might see the color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things.

He gave me my LIFE, my MIND, my HEART, I thank Him reverently.

For all His creations of which I'm a part. Yes, I KNOW Heavenly Father
loves me.

We are so blessed and grateful to our Heavenly Father for His tender mercies every day. Dick is making improvement and is sleeping much better at night. The pain has subsided quite a bit. Yesterday, he walked about a mile and a half, on two different occasions. We are happy that he is progressing as well as he is.

CyberKnife

Today, we went up to Salt Lake the see Dr. Mark Riley, who is the CyberKnife doctor. He told us all the pros and cons of radiation, and explained that the CyberKnife is probably the best for the area in which Dick's tumor lies. They take a CAT scan and MRI of his head, and then the doctors study it for a couple of days and pinpoint the exact areas that need to be radiated. It is very precise and Dr. Riley says that it is 95 per cent successful. It requires five days of radiation for about 45 minutes each session. That's the end of it. He would rather not do the CyberKnife for about two to three months so that the head can heal.

Other alternatives are: leave it alone and see if it goes away or grows or have regular radiation treatments (which would be treatments every day for five days a week for six weeks) and probably wouldn't get all of it.

We don't have to make the decision right away, but we're leaning towards the CyberKnife. The tumor that is left could cause eye problems if it continues to grow, so we don't want that. Please keep us in your prayers as we make very important decisions that could affect Dick's quality of life. We know the power of prayer is great and that it has been through your faith and prayers and ours as well that the recovery has been as good as it has been.

Dick did really great today. I drove and he didn't even go to sleep while we were driving, probably because it was raining so HARD that he couldn't have slept if he'd wanted to. In addition to going to Salt Lake, he has taken two good walks around the ward. His aches and pains are diminishing slowly.

Staples Out

Yesterday, we went to the doctor's office, and the physician's assistant took out Dick's staples. I watched him take out one staple and that was all I could watch. Dick said, for the most part, it didn't hurt, but that there were some that felt like he was getting a shot. The physician's assistant was a little concerned about the front of the scar because it was red and a little swollen. He told us to come back on Thursday to make sure there was no infection.

Tomorrow we go to Salt Lake to see the doctor who will do the cyber knife radiation on Dick in July. He will make an evaluation of the situation and then make an appointment for Dick to have the radiation. We will learn more about how long it will take, etc.

Yesterday and today were pretty good days for Dick. Both days, he walked around the perimeter of the ward, which is probably half a mile or more. Our friends and next door neighbors for the past 35 years (the Dennis') invited us to their house for dinner. They have a nice sun room where we enjoyed a nice meal and great company. Sorry I don't have a picture of that.

After we returned home, Dick and I watched a movie entitled "Foyle"s War," which is a series of British movies that takes place during World War II. We have seen three in in this series and enjoy watching it together.

Brian Parrott (Michelle's son) came over to go home teaching with Billy, and our neighbor, Todd Cuell, came over to give us an estimate on putting shelves in our storage room, so I took a picture of them with Dick.

First Outing

Today has been a good day for Dick. Yesterday he had a lot of lower back pain, and last night he asked me to call his dad and ask him to come over this morning so that Dad and Billy could give him a blessing. Billy returned from Minnesota around midnight last night.The two of them gave him a healing blessing. I gave him some pain medication. Dad stayed with him while Billy and I went to church. Dick slept the whole time. The bishop asked the ward to fast and pray for the many people in our ward who were struggling physically and mentally (and there are several).Some people bore their testimonies and gave special thanks for the fasting and prayers from the members of our ward. It was a very spiritual meeting and one I was glad that I could attend. There is great strength in the good people of our ward

This afternoon, Dick took his first car ride since he came home from the hospital. Jenny invited us to her house for dinner. The day before surgery, Dick made a deal with Jenny that his goal was to go to her house for dinner on June 7th. He made that goal. It was a little tiring for him but he did quite well. His back has felt much better today. I'm sure the blessing and pain medication helped. Dave and Colleen Witt came to see Dick early afternoon. Their son, Matt, had the same surgery a couple of years ago, and it was a long recovery for him. Kim and Gaylin Hodges paid us a visit this evening. We have good friends.

Family, friends and the knowledge that our Heavenly Father and Jesus loves us keeps us alive with hope. By the way, it was nine years ago today that Grandma Miller passed away. My, the time has flown and much has happened.

Another Day

Today was an average day as far as Dick is concerned. Because Billy has been out of town, I asked Glen to spend Thursday and Friday nights at our house in case there was a problem with Dick in the night. He has been very kind to do that. In addition, around 11:00 a.m., Glen and Kyle came over to mow our lawn. A special thanks to both of them for their service.

I attended a funeral of a man who has lived in this neighborhood for almost 50 years. He has been very ill, and last Friday, May 29th, he was in the hospital in the room next to Dick. So, Dick and I visited him a couple of times during the day on Friday. He had fallen and broken his back and had a tumor in his head. He was in pretty rough shape. His name is Keith Merryweather. Some of you might remember him. It's really a blessing that he passed on.

Grandpa Dalebout came over to stay with Dick while I attended the funeral. Afterwards, Val and Julene Kendell came over and brought Dick and I a Jamba Juice. Then, Meridith Blackburn came over to bring a loaf of fig bread that she had made. People are so nice. Dick and I walked around the block once, and Ron Dennis came over to walk him around the other block on another occasion.

He is still feeling a lot of pain in his lower back, and we can't quite figure out what is causing the pain. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Thanks so much.

GOOD NEWS

Jenny and Dad sitting together. Dick's a little tired.

Dick and Ron Dennis taking a walk down our street.

Ron, Dick and Val Kendell near the finish of the walk.

Pretty flowers from some of our good friends.

Bob and Patti Moss and Dave Stewart visit Dick.

Sorry for not updating yesterday. It was a day of quite a bit of pain--alot of back rubs and heating pad. Dick was able to walk around the block two times yesterday. He also had some nice visitors. The Pattees, who just returned from a mission to the Ukraine, came to visit and it was good to see them. The Lunds also came to see him.

Today, he has been very tired, but the pain in his back has lessened, which is very good. Not much pain in his head, just some tenderness.

He stepped on the scales yesterday and had lost 9 pounds. That's one way to lose weight. Today he has had several visitors (Jenny, Grandpa, Shane Rowley, Val and Julene Kendell, Ron Dennis, Bob and Patti Moss and Dave Stewart) and also has walked around the block a couple of times. The really GOOD NEWS is that the pathology report came back and the tumor is benign. We are very happy with that result. I really felt that it was benign all the time, mainly because of a couple of beautiful blessings that he had. He still has to have radiation beginning the first of July, but hopefully that won't be too bad.

We feel very blessed for the outcome and the outpouring of prayers and love and concern that have been expressed by so many people. We feel that the Lord's hand has been in this the whole way. I know Heavenly Father loves us and that gives me great comfort and peace. Thanks again for all your prayers and support. We love you all.

Home From the Hospital

Today, Dick came home from the hospital. He is still REALLY tired and needs to sleep a lot, which is very normal. The doctor said the MRI that he had yesterday was fine. The pathology report is still not in. The tumor didn't go into the lab until Monday, and usually takes three to five days. Hopefully, we will find out by Friday what the results are.

Amy helped Jenny's kids last night to make some big posters that welcomed Dick home. The kids had a ball making the posters, and Amy is so good to do those kinds of things. I have really appreciated having her here to lend support and love. Thanks Amy. She goes home tomorrow and we'll miss her.

Grandpa Dalebout has also been a great support. I hope we don't wear him out.

Hopefully, we'll get some sleep tonight.

More Progress

So, it has been four days since Dick had his operation. No news yet as to the pathology report. Today he had another MRI and we will get the results tomorrow. The swelling has gone out of the left eye and gone into the right eye a little. The left side of his head is a bit swollen. But, all in all, today has been a good one. He has been up walking quite a bit and has been sitting in the chair and doing a little reading and watching TV. He got a shave from me and he also had a shower. That was a big improvement and made him feel better. He has had a lot of visitors and wasn't able to get a lot of rest. Hopefully, he will rest well tonight.

We have a good crew of help: Amy, Jenny, Grandpa and me to spell each other off. We take turns. We are hopeful that he will be coming home tomorrow.

I have many good family and friends who have offered to help out. I'm sure I will call upon them. I am truly grateful for so many people who have been kind and helpful and concerned and who have been praying for us.

A better day.

Yesterday was a rough day. Today was much better.

Dr. Reichman came in this morning and removed Dick's bandages to reveal a lovely battle-wound approximately 10" long with exactly 34 industrial-looking staples holding it all together. It was quite a shock and a little nauseating to say the least. Dr. Reichman says he is making good progress and that radiation treatments should start in about one month. We still do not know the results of the pathology tests conducted on the tumor that was removed. We will hope for them tomorrow or Wednesday.

Here's a pic of the lovely battle-wound. A fair warning here: This is not for the faint of heart.


Today Dick was much more lucid and was able to carry on conversations with a bit more attention than in the past couple of days. His back is still giving him problems but the Doctor ordered steroids to help alleviate some of the pain, which seemed to help a little. He was able to do "three laps" around the nurses stations today, instead of two...hooray!!!

Today they removed all tubes from Dick.....every single one. He is tube-free and machine free. He was even able to crack a couple of jokes with some friends who came to see him.

More time was spent sitting up in a chair today and he attempted to read the paper and watch a bit of TV, which is still proving difficult due to the swelling in his left eye and the difficulty of putting his eye-glasses on. However, this evening, the swelling in his eye had gone down considerably and he looked so much better!!!



Today, Dick seems to be much more aware of his surroundings and is realizing how much love and support has been poured out to him. He has commented frequently at how many people have come to visit or wished him well and he appreciates that.

More than that though, we think he is loving being pampered by the women in his life who can't stop fussing over him. He has been receiving numerous back rubs from Jenny, Amy and myself. Glen even got in on the action today and apparently he thought Glen had the best back-rubbing hands. The nurse commented to Amy today that Dick is so well taken care of that she wonders if there is anything she can do for him. You should have seen the scene in Dad's room as Jenny, Amy and myself prayed with Dad this evening and then "tucked him in" for the night. It took all three of us to arrange his pillows and blankets just right.


Jenny's kids came in for a very brief visit and were a bit traumatized by his appearance and didn't stay long. They were probably mostly a bit surprised by his appearance and also quite concerned.

Hopefully, tomorrow we will make more progress. Thank you again for your prayers and well-wishes. We are so blessed to have such good friends and family.