Marvelous Friends -- Magnificent Physicians!

Finally!  Done with Chemo and Radiation Therapy!  Now four weeks of rest before another MRI is conducted at the end of June to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.  Now here is an amazing story that has left us with an increased amount of hope!  As you all know, we had this challenge detected just around April Fools Day by my childhood friend and Primary Care Physician, Dr. H. Craig Harmon, Internal Medicine.  Craig was always kind; in fact he taught me to ride a bicycle when we lived across the street from each other.  Years later, Craig attended George Washington University Medical School graduating in 1982 and completing his Internship and Residency at the University of Utah.  As my primary care physician, Craig was kind enough to squeeze me into a very busy schedule to see me the very day I called his office on Monday, March 30.  After a brief physical, he felt it necessary to order an MRI - which was conducted the very next day.  

An hour later, the results were finished and Craig revealed the cancer diagnosis and contacted the Neurosurgeon, Dr. Mark V. Reichman for confirmation.  Mark and I became acquainted at as young boys in junior high school and attended Highland High School together.  Mark attended medical school at  Loyola University in Chicago and then completed his Internship and Residency at the University of Utah.  Mark asked to meet with me the next morning April 1 - and arranged to remove what was thought to be a golfball-sized tumor which ultimately turned out to be more the size of a baseball.  We were told it had doubled in size in just 4 - 6 weeks.  Mark felt it necessary to perform the surgery right away and he resected it the very next day.  I spent one day in the ICU at the new Intermountain Medical Center and one day in a regular room.  Terri tells me I was a rather anxious patient and it seems I was recovering pretty well and on Saturday afternoon, was released to go home for the rest of the recuperation.  

Shortly thereafter, I was introduced to Dr. Ali K. Choucair, MD, Neurology.  While we were not personal friends, we found a very common and wonderful mutual friendship.  Dr. Choucair and his wife were personal friends with our predecessors in NYC - Larry and Flora Spackman from Calgary Canada.  Dr. Choucair received his medical degree from the University of Calgary and completed his Internship there as well.  He completed his residency at the University of Utah.  Dr. Choucair has been responsible for the Chemotherapy treatments and will be primarily responsible to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined treatments and determine if further treatments are needed.  

Finally, the Radiation Therapy was to be under the direction of Dr. John W. Thomson, MD - yet another friend of the family.  Dr. Thomson was the close friend and former LDS bishop of Terri's parents, Ray and Elda Rae Gunn.  Dr. Thomson is a very kind and dignified physician.  He likewise completed his medical training at George Washington University and Residency at the LDS Hospital in SLC, Utah.  It was under his direction that the radiation therapy was conducted 5 days a week for six weeks.  He has been a constant resource during this phase of treatment.

It is so fortunate to be treated at the Huntsman Cancer Center at Intermountain Medical Health Care's brand new facility with some of the finest physicians.  Further, the Jon and Karen Huntsman family has extended their support to assist in any additional treatments required.  We will keep you all posted about the results later in June.  We have a renewed hope in the Lord's will.   We don't always get to choose our opportunities and challenges.  We are absolutely certain that our missionary service and other service opportunities have been made at an early time in our lives.  We know His ways are not necessarily our ways - but we have felt concerned about what our next focus since we returned 2 1/2 years ago.  Since then, Terri has had throat surgery, a broken leg requiring two surgeries to satisfactorily repair the break.  And now we have this challenge that we are determined to positively participate in the treatments and remain faithful to our covenants!  Thanks to all of you for your kind messages.  Well now it is time to pick up the business again ---  hope the energy level increases soon to enable me to take care of my wife, Terri ---- as she has so admirably done during the recuperating process.