For anyone who might be wondering. Did Chris stay home or go to work? He went to work!!!!! I think yesterday being home with nothing on TV and no remote was the deciding factor:)
In case anyone from work reads this he cares a ton about his job and the people. He wants everyone to succeed (including the company). He is getting a new team soon and wants to make sure they are OK. You all mean a lot to him.
Oh, and at noon he should take a lovenox shot. So if you see him remind him, he'd love the reminder. Hee, hee. Don't blame me if you get a dirty look:) And if he throws his phone across the room it's only because I reminded him "again." Hee, hee. He did promise that he would never stop taking them no matter how much they hurt.
Tay pulled five flags last night at his flag football game and Meg is doing amazing in school. Teachers couldn't say enough nice things. She has two college classes, some AP classes. The class that is giving her the most trouble is Wildlife Biology. Poor girl. They haven't even started dissecting animals yet:)
Thanks again to everyone who visited, called, text, left comments on the blog, brought food, mowed our lawn etc. I laugh because I think I have a years worth of Dr. Pepper thanks to so many of you (I can always use more:). You know that just gives me more energy and I start to talk. Ha, Ha, Hee, hee. You love me!!:)
Love ya, Ricki

Yesterday, Chris had two blood transfusions. It takes three hours for each bag. How grateful I am to those people who donated blood. Meg always donates blood when there is a blood drive. About two months ago she donated (I tried but because I went to Honduras I can't donate for a year:( anyway, I was thanking her and telling her it was her blood and her friends (who gave also) blood - obviously not, but it felt cool knowing that my daughter and her friend had helped someone else out in their time of need. What good girls:)
Chris was counting the needle pokes and he was able to count 15 just in the crook of his arm. They were testing his blood every couple of hours to check on how blood was thinning and blood platelets (to see if he would need blood transfusion). Kids came up and saw him. We read scriptures and said family prayer. I was going to try to have family home evening but kids were just a little wild. As we left Chris asked nurse for pain pill. Hee hee. My dad again spent the night with Chris. And thanks to my mom for watching them all day.
This morning Chris called to say he was ready to go. Doctor was discharging him. Chris is to take 90 mg of lovenox (shots) twice a day. Chris promised to take it. He will continue also to take pain meds till he feels better. He is exhausted and still in pain. Still coughing up blood/Flem but doc says that's OK. Brought him home, made him comfortable - except we can't find the TV remote so he keeps hollering about getting up to change channel (kids at my sister-in-laws house, or he would yell at them:) and that there is nothing on tv. Poor boy. He already said he was going to work tomorrow. I am trying to talk him into waiting til Friday. He has Thursdays off - Chemo this week, which doc said he will probably be doing.
We are so grateful to all of you and your prayers in behalf of Chris and our family. Not his time to go yet:) He's trying to make it to my 40th bday (January). Will see, hope so:)
Been a couple of crazy days. Grateful it happened when it did life wasn't nearly as busy as it is the rest of the week.:) Will call the patriarch and reschedule Rye's blessing. Tonight Tay has a flag football game, Meg and Rye YM/YW, and Meg has Parent/teacher conferences. Ahh. Tomorrow, preschool, PTSA meeting, scouts for Jacob and Taylor and Parent/teacher conferences for Ryan. Thursday chemo, Friday I have all five kids home-no school and Meg and Rye have a cross country meet. General Conference this weekend. I am looking forward to it. Not the crying part, but hey I always feel like they are talking directly to me. They know what I need to hear.
Looking forward to putting up Halloween decorations. Chris and I's favorite holiday. Blessed to still have him here for another Halloween.
We love you guys. Keep up the good work (praying:)
Love, Ricki

Just to let you all know Chris is in the hospital. He started becoming ill (head cold) last week. Wednesday (Sept. 22) he stayed home from work, which is not like him. He was very tired and coughing a lot. Thursday, was his day off from work and chemo. He felt horrible but he went and played at recess with the kids and then went to Meg and Rye's cross country meet. Meg made a comment about how he must be feeling ill because he wasn't at the finish line like he usually is. After the meet we had a court of honor. Rye and Tay received awards. Chris was in a lot of pain. His leg has been giving him sooo much trouble. He hardly sleeps at night. He will only take Advil or Tylenol because he doesn't want to feel "loopie." Because he worked on Labor Day he had Friday off which was a very good thing because of being so ill and exerting so much energy Thursday. Friday at about 2 pm Chris started having a lot of chest pain and couldn't breath I told him that I was calling an ambulance. He told me "no" that I could drive him to the hospital. I called my mom to come over, asked the neighbor across the street to sit with the kids til my mom came. I didn't want Jacob to be a lone because he and I both saw Chris making faces and breathing strangely. It was scary, I was worried that this was it. Jacob is my quiet one holds everything in I just didn't want him to be alone. On the way to the hospital I called my car pool buddy. She and I take turns (she does most of it) running the kids from the middle school to the high school for cross country practice. It was my turn to drive. Poor girl was at work asked if she could put me on hold I told her "no" told her what I was doing and could she pick up kids. She said sure. Later I find out that her car was in the shop. She borrowed a co-workers car to go and get the kids. (Thank you, thank you to you both). Well, half way to the hospital Chris decides that he doesn't need to go that "he is fine." I debate with him he tells me he won't get out of the car. I head home then I decide I'm in charge so I turn around and head back towards hospital. He gets way mad and says he won't go in so I turn around and head home. Major drama!!! I call my mom and tell her (she is coming from Lehi) and thank the neighbor. I get Meg and Rye ready for the cross country fund raiser. Katie and I go and chaperon (6-9 pm) at the fund raiser - Chris to ill to take care of Katie. I give instructions to Jacob and Tay, poor kids:( Chris sleeps on the couch because it helps him breath. I tell him I'm sure that he has a blood clot in his lung - too much coughing, shortness of breath. Nah, "I'm not going, I hate hospitals, not wasting our money!" Saturday, we go to a baptism for a friend. Race home to change clothes because we have family pictures at the International Peace Gardens. The woman that took are pictures was wonderful. We just did standing pictures (except for the ones of the kids in the trees:) because Chris couldn't kneel or sit on the ground because of the pain in his leg. She was quick, had great ideas, kept it short, was understanding of Chris pain, brought us treats, and had the craziest props to make us smile for the camera. We love ya!!! Can't wait to see the pictures:) We came home. Chris took some Advil and then fell asleep on the couch. "The girls" all went out for dinner and to the General Women's Session (it's a tradition). My brother-in-law was kind enough to come over and watch everyone because again Chris was to ill. Long story short - hee, hee. Around 9:30pm Chris asks me to take him to the hospital. I call my mom. Both Meg and Rye are out playing with friends. Poor mom. Thank goodness she loves me (I think:) I gather my stuff, I know it will be a long night. We go the ER. They instantly take us back, felt bad the ER was full. They put Chris on oxygen and we had at least 4 people helping him. They gave him morphine which he hates but took because he was in so much pain. This was the first time I have EVER heard him rate his pain as a 10!!! (and that's what it has stayed at) During are stay in the ER they gave him 3 more shots of it. He had a CT scan which just about killed him because he had to lay down flat on his back. At 4:15am (told you it would be a long night:) they admitted Chris to the hospital. He has 3 blood clots in his lungs and pneumonia. Yesterday he was in so much pain even with the pain meds. He continues to need oxygen at all times. He took a walk around the hospital floor thinking that would help his recovery so that he could get out faster but instead he almost killed himself. So much pain and not enough oxygen. A nurse (who wasn't ours) brought us over an oxygen tank and followed us around. Chris regretted trying to walk, too much for him. He shook for about thirty minutes he was in so much pain. He just kept talking to himself, telling himself it wasn't that bad:( I HATE this!!! I HATE watching Chris suffer! I am helpless!!!!!
My mom brought the kids up later Sunday night to see Chris. I asked her to bring crayons and paper for them to color get well cards for Chris - hoping that would keep them a "little calmer" Rye couldn't stop crying and when it was time to go Katie grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I took her to the car where we had to pry her off of me. Craziest thing, I was taking Katie to the car and we saw her preschool teacher. She was coming (to the same floor we are on) to see her father in law who is dieing. Are stake president was kind enough to come and visit us and he gave Chris a blessing. A group of young men with surgical masks came to our room and offered Chris and I the sacrament. It was very, very touching (yah, I'm crying) to see these sweet young men and their young men leader in white shirts and ties and then to just see their eyes (because they were wearing masks). Now, I'm crying even harder because two of the boys dad is in the room next to us. He is dieing of cancer. Chris, the good guy thanked them and bore his testimony to them, gave them a talking to about "being good" and the two boys that's dad is dieing gave them special words. It was a beautiful and spiritual moment. Felt like heaven was really close.
Sorry, gotta go take Katie to preschool, she won't go with lady that I car pool with:)

Chris had chemo Thursday, September 9th. We spoke with the doctor first and he changed Chris' medicines. Because of the potassium problem and the cisplatin being so hard on Chris he is giving us a different med. This one will be given one week and not the next. He will continue with gemzar even though that is hard on him, it really burns as it is going through his veins. He usually has a warm rice bag on his arm. He hadn't lost any weight and the tumor was the same size as in April. It had shrunk but then because of not having chemo for awhile due to scout camp and Disney World it had grown back to its original size. Doctor says we will continue with this regiment until it stops working, which the doctor says will happen. Dumb cancer cells are to smart. Chris was ill from this round, but still made it to Meg and Rye's cross country meet. He walked all over Soldier Hollow in Heber (where Olypmic events were held) so that he could encourage them. He should have been a coach:) His leg continues to hurt him. He is having a hard time sleeping at night and of course walking isn't easy. Alot of you say "he looks great" but he is a stinker-- he hides his pain well. He feels rotten!! I have a hard time watching him and listening to him moan and groan. I wish I could help him, ease his burden. I feel guilty that he is still working. I know it's good for him but he is in so much pain physically with his back and leg and then the upset stomach and always being tired. Breaks my heart.
Then Thursday, September 16th Chris had chemo. He lost four pounds in one week. The nurse's had a hard time finding his veins. Finally, they got a little blood out so that they could check his platelets. They were low but the doctor said give it to him anyway. After a few more pokes they found a vein that would cooperate. We talked to the nurse about how much pain Chris is in. They advised pain pills, but Chris won't take them so I guess he will be the tough guy he is and just deal with it.
Friday Chris took Taylor, Jacob and Ryan to the Scout Jamboree 100 year Celebration event. He looked awful and you could tell he felt awful but he packed up the car and went. It was an overnighter. They had a lot of fun booths, fireworks, card trading etc. The boys had a wonderful time. Some great memories made:) They got home and unloaded the car and Chris crashed. None of them got much sleep too much fun and 10,000 boys:)
I took the opportunity to ask Meg to babysit Katie so that I could go to the Temple. As I was going in I saw Dr. Ott. The doctor that did the whipple on Chris. I waved thinking it had probably been to long for him to remember me but he did (even remembered Chris' name-he is unforgettable) he asked me how Chris was doing and how the kids were doing. He told me that he goes every Saturday to pray for himself and his patients that he will be operating on. Very Cool!:)
So, this week no chemo. Just, cross country meet, scouts, YW/YM, preschool, homework (book report and project for Jacob), working in kids classroom, flag football, family pictures, General Women's Conference (which I look forward to), a baptism of one of our friends and Frid to Sat Meg and Rye have a cross country fundraising event. Each team member takes a turn running the baton around the track all night - 24 hours- fun!! And you know me maybe a little laundry etc. hee, hee. Tay and Jacob go off track this Friday. Oh, and the most exciting thing is that Sunday Ryan will receive his patriachal blessing:)
It has been a difficult week watching Chris suffer. He is such a trooper going to work and spending time with us. I know he is exhausted and would just like to take it easy but he just keeps going like the "Energizer Bunny" He is amazing I will miss him sooo much. I keep telling him to be mean to me so I won't miss him but instead he surprises Katie and I by bringing us lunch. Some days everything hurts and other days it just doesn't seem real. But then I see him and the pain he's in and I know it's real and I wonder "When?" "How long?" "Can I make it?" "Do I have what it takes?" Sorry, I will now go and eat a handful of blueberries (good for depression) and run around the house (also good for depression). I know there's always someone who is worse off (people who lost their homes in Herriman fire). We love all of you and appreciate knowing that if we needed anything we could call you.
Love, Ricki

We arrived home late Thursday night. We had sooo much fun!!!!! Thank you, thank you to everyone. Chris had some rough days but he made it. There was no way he was going to miss any of the fun. When we go on vacation he is a "slave driver" up early, bed late. Keep moving! We were very blessed by one of are friends that used to live in Utah and now lives in Florida. He and his family came to visit us. They saw how much Chris was struggling. He wouldn't let me show Disney my note from the doctor so that we could go into the fast pass line. So, our friend took the note and went and got it for us. It felt weird at first but I know that it was helpful. To hot outside to stand in line and even if you were in an air conditioned building you were still standing which was hard on Chris. I don't think we would have had as good a time if our friend hadn't done that - thank you, thank you:) They also took us to the Worlds Largest McDonald's, fun! We ate tons of yummy food. Yesterday I started running again so that I could get all of those Mickey Mouse ice cream heads off my body. That's the great thing about going when they have the Disney Dinning Plan. We had sooo much food. We were never hungry. We are now trying to shrink our stomachs back to normal. We rode everything in each park at least twice. Some, like Splash Mountain 10 or more times. Chris kept trying to bribe Katie to go on it but she never would. I think that if she couldn't see the drop off at the end she probably would go. We attended 3 different dinner shows that were a lot of fun. Mickey's Backyard BBQ and the Hoop de Doo Review were are favorites. At MBBQ it was a buffet. For dessert they had a freezer full of ice cream novelties that you can buy in the park for $3.50 or more. Jacob ate 7!!!! Rye ate 6!! I told them to go for it we're on vacation:) How often do you get to have Mickey Mouse heads for dinner? (vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate). We swam almost every night. One night the Magic Kingdom was open until 3am!! We only made it to 2am:) I think the latest we went to bed was 3am and the earliest was midnight. We went to the two water parks there. The boys all did Summit Plummet which is a 120 foot slide!!!!!!!! you come down doing at least 50mph - even Jacob did it!!! more than once. I was sick just waiting for them to come down. you will never ever get me to do something like that. We also spent a lot of time at are favorite place called Disney Quest. They have 5 floors of video games, virtual reality games. . . . it's cool to be able to play Centipede or Skee Ball (my favorites) over and over again without having to put money in the machine. Katie got sick while we were there but I had enough medicine to get her through. She also had a habit of falling asleep during dinner:) We had a wonderful time it was fun hanging with so many of our friends. Thank you to those of you who gave up your flight benefits on Jet Blue so that we could go. And again thank you to those of you who participated in the Walk for the Wachs. Lots of memories made - I only took 723 pictures:) and lots of video.
So, back to reality:( No more maid service, eating out and having to go to bed at a decent hour. Friday morning was Megan, Ryan and Katie's first day of school and Taylor's first day of safety patrol. I took Rye to school early so that he could put things in his locker, talk to teachers, figure out which lunch he had etc. Then I took Katie to school. She was hesitant until a sweet neighbor boy came up to her and grabbed her. He made her feel very welcome:) It felt weird leaving alone. I had one hour to be by myself (usually I'll have two). I'm sure I'll get used to it:)
So, I'm going to skip all of the mundane tasks that I did all day after being gone for 2 weeks and get right to what happened Friday night. Around 10:00pm Chris gets a call from Megan informing us that . . . . . drum roll please. . . . .. . you got it. . . . . grandpa's second car he let us borrow has been BACKED INTO!!!!!! No one was in the car. We had her call the police. I went to where the car was and helped her finish filling out the police report. Ahhhh, welcome back to reality!!! The damage isn't to bad it's still drive able, but will need to be repaired. That is number 3 for Megan since February (none of them her fault) and number 4 for our family!! Ahh, getting to work with another insurance company hope they're nice:).
Saturday Meg and Rye had a cross country meet at BYU. Chris, Katie and I went and watched. They did well for being up late the night before and having been on vacation for 2 weeks. Meg did get up sometimes and run in Florida. Rye did once:)
We have been doing homework all weekend. The kids have sooo much. Chris worked Labor Day so I just cracked the whip about getting homework done. Jacob has his done, Tay has 4 pages left (out of 26), and Rye and Meg got done what they needed from Friday. They have block schedule so they only saw a few teachers/class on Friday now they will get homework from the other classes.
This week Meg and Rye have cross country practice and then they have two meets, Wednesday and Saturday. Tay has flag football, scouts, and safety patrol. And Chris has chemo Thursday:( We don't look forward to it. We have had fun having "Chris" here with us, laughing, teasing and just being his annoying self. hee hee. We also meet with the doctor.
Thank you again for letting us just be a family for 2 weeks with no worries or cares. Just enjoying each others company (most of the time -hee, hee). We love you guys tons.
Love, Ricki