It has been awhile since we last posted. Many relatives started to call to say what's up with the blog. So I will attempt to update all that is happening.

Mom and dad came back home on the 16th. They were happy to be back in their own home to rest from all the travel, company and stress of the situation. Appointments were made with Kaiser for blood work and chemotherapy classes. They would not allow mom to start the chemo until she had completed the class, but they did schedule her appointment 30 minutes after the class. They did not want to waste any time. I am quoting part of Cherie's email she sent out last weekend since she related so well the events of the day.

"Mom, dad, Celeste and I attended mom’s chemo class from 10-12 noon. It was an excellent class. It was very informative and presented well. The head nurse for the endricrinology department instructed mom and several other patients and their friends/family. It’s quite a large department and will Feb. 2nd be moving into a newer and more excellent facility. Mom was very emotional during the class, head sometimes on dad’s shoulders, clasping hands. The emotions didn’t just stop with mom. Dad too was teary eyed and deeply concerned about mom. They are the epitome of a long lasting, loving relationship that only radiates the love they share with each other.

We have had frustrations with the assistant to Dr. Crane who hasn’t returned phone calls until sometimes days later. We had expressed our concerns to Jan, the head nurse. She told mom and dad to no longer contact Dr. Crane’s assistant but to only call her and she would make sure mom and dad got immediate attention. This was of course a great comfort to us all. She spent all the time we needed to answer any questions we had.

Jan has been in the endocrinology department for now over 30 years. People dealing with constant medical crisis’s as we know can either become hardened or more compassionate. It was very touching to see her eyes tear up as she spoke with mom and dad and then hear her tell them what beautiful people they are and hugged each of them. She stressed several times during the class and after the class as she spoke with mom and dad that no one is dying of cancer, they are living through cancer. Each person is experiencing their own unique experience. We can share our experiences but each will have their own experience and their own life. She stressed this time and time again. She and the other nurses have seen miracles. Many people who were told they would not live have lived. It doesn’t have to be the way others tell them it will be. Jan also told us that Dr. Crane is a brilliant doctor. She also said that if you want to live, you need to make that clear. You’ll get more from them if they know you are willing to go through what you need to live. She shared many stories of hope."

Jan really is a remarkable nurse. She escorted us into the room where they had 20+ chairs set up for chemo. Because of the HYYPA rules we really weren't all supposed to be in there with mom. She asked us to keep our eyes averted so as to keep the others' privacy. It was quite something to see all of the people ages early 20's to late golden years in the big comfy chairs, most with hats (no hair) receiving chemo. Mom, with the little privacy allowed in the tight space and little flimsy curtain just inches from mom's neighbor, received a priesthood blessing from dad. Her chemo only lasted 30 minutes. Quite short in comparison to some who would be there up to 6 hours.

Some of the effects of mom's chemo have been fatigue, feeling kind of "dingy" or forgetful and shakiness. These are all temporary. Not bad in comparison to others' effects from their chemo. This is due to the fact that mom's chemo is a very light dosage that will extend her life 6-12 months, but will not put her into remission. She has handled it quite well. In fact today she was excited cause she felt pretty darn good. To top it off, mom's white blood count today went from the low 1400 of the last few weeks up to a woppin 2600! That's great news! Now we just need to keep her from thinking she's great and can go out and do all that she is used to doing. No, she hasn't mentioned going to Curves again....

Tomorrow (Thursday the 29th) she will receive her 2nd dosage of chemo. She will be feeling the effects worst by Saturday morning. She has two more chemos scheduled for the 5th & 12th of February. So she will be done just in time for Valentine's Day!

I'm sorry this has been rather lengthy. Maybe the writer can be a little less wordy and more prompt in the next few weeks!

Celeste Whedon

Our family is a circle of strength and love.
With every birth and every union, the circle grows.
Every joy shared adds more love.
Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.
-Unknown Author-

A Livesaving & Painful Decision

After a very quiet day from mom and dad, we knew something was up. They slipped away quietly on a trip to visit with a holistic doctor in Provo. She had been wanting to visit with Dr. Leavitt whom she had heard had great abilities to heal those with diseases in a natural way. She and dad had already heard the complaints of their children concerning this doctor because of reports on the internet, however mom remained undaunted and they were able to meet up with Dr. Leavitt's assistant who just happened to be a son of a very good friend from Sacramento. With the connection of this assistant, they were able to communicate with Dr. Leavitt. The outcome was not what mom had hoped for or anticipated. After mom and dad discussed mom's situation with Dr. Leavitt, he candidly told her that he could not treat her. He said he dealt primarily in preventative work. He also did not have anything powerful enough to help her nor did he she have the time he needed to use a regimine to help her. He told her what she needed to do was go back to her doctor and take the chemotherapy. It was most difficult for mom to hear this information from Dr. Leavitt. After a very painful and realistic discussion, mom decided to accept the chemotherapy. We are all very sad she has had to be placed in this kind of situation in the first place. She is well aware of the reactions her body will have to taking this therapy. This has been a very dramatic last few weeks for mom. The chemotherapy will extend her life 6-12 months and hopefully put her into remission. We are praying during the meanwhile that doors will open in which she might find something better than a life extention. For right now, we are all supporting her in her decision and have compassion for her battle in the next few weeks. Mom has felt so much love and support from all those who have called and helped her through these last few trying weeks. We all are thankful for those who have called her multiple times a day and shared their own painful life experiences with mom in the world of cancer and Leukemia. You have been angels to mom. Thank you!
Celeste

We knew is wouldn't be easy but the battle will be worth it!

Mom and dad had their appointment Friday at the Huntsman Institute with Dr. Shammi. They have been once again told very difficult things. We would love for mom's struggles to just disappear but it is unfortunately not the case. Mom remains hopeful and optimistic. Dad is at it as usual running around taking care of business but more importantly loving his wife.

Mom and dad spent the evening in counsel with former general authority and Seventy, Hartman Rector, Jr.

This Sunday we as family (and anyone else who would like to join with us) will be fasting and praying in behalf of both of our parents. We would ask that you pray for mom's recovery and any blessings she stands in need of. We also are praying that they be given the insight and direction the Lord would want them to take. We're also praying that dad be given the strength he needs as husband and care giver.

We appreciate your fast and prayers!!

Love, Cherie

They Made It!!

Mom's blood transfusions yesterday were successful and she had a renewed sense of energy! She said she was buzzing all night and couldn't even sleep. We looked in her eyes and she had more color in them! Cherie asked if mom had ever seen "Twilight".
Because of the energy, mom told dad that they had to go tomorrow in the AM to SLC and get to the Huntsman ASAP. Cherie & I drove them to the SACTO airport and they safely arrived in SLC. However, because of the changes in plan, Dr. Shammi's office wasn't expecting to see them until Monday. After many phone calls, we were able to reach Dr. Shammi's scheduler and she told them to meet at 2:30 MST. Yeah! So many doors were opened for mom to get to this appointment with Dr. Shammi. Thank you to all of those who helped get her on her way! And that means mentally as well as physically!
Dad has put forth tons of work and love on mom's behalf. This has been really hard on dad as well as mom. We just want to tell dad how much we love him for all he is and does!
So all of you Utah folk, go visit mom and dad while you have the chance! They are staying in their condo in SLC. Just give mom a buz on her cell and tell her when y'all are comin!
Celeste

Traffic Lights!

Wow! Mom and dad have had lots of green lights and then red lights! They have made three sets of travel plans to go to Salt Lake City now. They have been so blessed to have Aunt Janice's contact in her ward, Dr. Burt, the Director of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. They found out that the Huntsman has one of the leading doctors in Leukemia, Dr. Shammi, practicing there. They got a green light from Dr. Burt that mom could go ahead and come to the Huntsman. Dad has been busy making lots of phone calls and preparing a way so that mom might go to see Dr. Shammi. They got another green light when mom's Kaiser doctor suggested since he could not refer mom to Dr. Shammi, and Kaiser would not cover the costs of the Huntsman, that he, Dr. Crain, would follow whatever Dr. Shammi's routine might be and then Kaiser would carry the cost and all would be done here in California. That was a huge relief to dad and mom. They were going to go to SLC yesterday when a red light went up and dad found out that mom needed to have more blood work done to check out her blood levels to travel. So they made plans to go today. Mom's practitioner, Dr. Kazaroni, macaroni or whatever his name is (he's actually a really nice doctor) called last evening and discussed the most recent tests over with her and dad. Near the end of the conversation, mom reminded doctor how she was gonna be back soon and to not forget that she was going to lick this! Another red light went up when mom's hematologist said she needed blood transfusions before she could go. She is in the midst of doing this now. The new plan is to leave Friday morning to they can be see by Dr. Shammi before the noon hour Friday. Her spirits seem to be up, but she is teary-eyed often. Also, she would recommend two new books for all of those book worms out there. The first one is "The Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck and "The Cumorah Christmas". Mom just wanted to say thank you to all of everyone's prayers, all her family, friends and blessings she has received that says she is going to be well, service given especially Dad's loving service as well as that given by Cherie, Celeste, Tana, Chris, Danny, Carla Cook, Mike Upton who got her laptop going so she can communicate from Utah, Crystal Zane and visits by Carmel & family, Shevaun, Jake & Elle as well as the Relief Society and lovely ward members. Mom's obviously feeling well enough because she is feeling feisty enough to tell dad he shouldn't have finished off the carrott cake with all the pecans on top! He left her one bite with no pecans! Go figure!
Celeste

Welcome!

For those of you who know and love Ross & Rosalind Crosby, and I know there are MANY of you, this is a site that will bring you the latest updates of how they are doing. Grandma and Grandpa are on their way to Utah today for Grandma to start attending the Huntsman Cancer Institute here in Salt Lake City, Utah for diagnosis and treatments. As our family receives information we will be posting it so that you can quickly find out how they are both doing. We ask that you keep in mind how tired and busy they will be and maybe instead of phone calls that you leave a comment here at this site as they will read it. You may also send best wishes via email (see side bar for email addresses) if you do not have a blogger account. If you need a physical mailing address to send your sweet thoughts in that way, please email rossandrosalind {at} gmail.com and we will send you that information promptly. There are lots of family members here in Utah ready to support and care for these two wonderful people so you can rest assured that they are not alone. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!!

~Summer (Crosby) Adams

Granddaughter