"Each day is a gift--don't take life for granted!"

In 2005 my dad was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The cancer was found in his chest and my dad, Frank, went through chemo and radiation to win the battle. The outcome looked promising.

After almost three years of being cancer free, Dad started to feel sick again. In November of 2007, his P.E.T. was clean, no cancer. But in April of 2008, the cancer was back and it was now throughout his body. He went through two different rounds of aggressive chemo without it doing anything to the cancer. The doctor’s decided they had to be more aggressive with his treatment and decided to do a stem cell transplant.

There was a small complication though, dad had heart problems within the last three years and had had a splint put into his heart. So, there was some concern about his heart. Dad, who is now 73 years old, was only supposed to be in the hospital for two weeks but it turned into a little more than two months. His counts would not come up and he was having a hard time eating and keeping things down. But again the stubbornness in him prevailed.

At the family New Years Eve dinner, everyone went around saying what they were grateful for, Dad was grateful for making it through 2008. He still had his sense of humor.

Dad was again cancer free for about one month and then the cancer was back. It was again throughout his body surrounding his internal organs. Again my dad was in it to win the battle. On January 15, 2009, Dad went in for what he thought was a blood check. The doctors had decided that they needed to take a drastic measure and it had to be quick. They wanted to give Dad a super bomb chemo treatment. He was told that if the treatment was not done that day he would possibly have four weeks to live. If he survived the folllowing 72 hours of treatment he may live six months. The way this treatment attacks the cancer, there was some fear with the effect it would have on his internal organs, especially his heart. Before the chemo was given they put a lot of fluids into his body to give a buffer to all his organs.

The doctors were all amazed at how well Dad did and he was sent home on Sunday afternoon. The treatment had already started shrinking the cancer. But again Dad couldn’t really eat or keep food down.

Since the last round of chemo my dad has had to be hospitalized twice and is having a hard time winning his battle. Hospice has been called in to give help and comfort. Although this has been a hard journey, our faith has given much comfort and strength to our family. We have been very blessed and know that this is not the end. The last time I was with my dad he let me know that each day is a gift and not to take it for granted. He has been a great warrior during this battle.

When Judy offered the blanket, I wasn’t sure I should take it but then she mentioned it was in a camouflage fabric and I knew that it was meant for my dad. Dad served for 20 years in the Navy and was being cared for at the military hospital in San Diego, CA. At his last hospital stay he was given a camouflage beanie to keep his head warm. The blanket was a wonderful gift of friendship and encouragement.

Jenna Ellingson

Salt Lake City, UT