Times Too Short!

My Dad's Police Dept. Retirement Party & our family (November 2011)

I got a text from my mom today saying that my dad was asking where I was. I've been wanting to go back to Utah ever since my dad's health has been failing, but I've had to work. Today when I got the text, I knew that I needed to go right away. I've been struggling all day. Just knowing that he isn't doing good and knowing that he's wondering where I am.

I talked to my boss today & she said, "Just go! I'll be fine." Then I had to talk to my knew bosses (I have another part-time job that I just started on Monday.) That was really difficult because I'm not a flaky person and knowing that I just got hired and have to ask them if it's okay if I don't come in next week was really hard...I felt bad. But they are awesome guys and were totally understanding. They told me not to worry about it at all & take all the time I needed.

I feel really blessed that I can leave to go spend whatever time my dad has left without stressing about work. 

He's put up such a valiant fight against this terrible disease, lung cancer. He's been so strong and sure that he was going to beat this. His original diagnosis, inoperable 4th stage lung cancer, left us with hope for at least a year. But my dad's a fighter and his year turned into five years. Unfortunately it eventually spread to his brain and after going through several rounds of chemo & radiation, he is now completely bed ridden. I don't know how much longer he has and as I head out to go see him tomorrow (11 hour drive), I pray that he'll hold on until I get there. I need some time with him. I need to tell him how grateful I am to have had a step-dad who's raised & loved me as his own. He sacrificed so much for our large family, and has been an example of unselfish love. During times like this, I want to remind each of you to take advantage of each & every moment you have with your loved ones. You never know how long you'll have with them & it never seems to be enough time.

The Incredible Phone Call

I was racking my brain on what to get my dad for his birthday on March 10th. As many of you know my dad has been battling 4th stage inoperable lung cancer. I wanted to do something special...something he would remember...after about a week & several prayers, the idea finally came to me.

I will contact the owners/manager/coach of the Detroit Red Wings Hockey Team.

My dad was asked to be in their farm program when he was younger as a goalie. He ended up going into the Marine Corp. then after returning played semi pro for the Reno Aces until the team was disbanded.

But his favorite team has always been the Red Wings.

Once I had the idea, I put my super detective ability into full action. I hunted, dug up, re-searched, and finally found an email address to the owners of the team. I wrote a heartfelt email about how amazing my dad is and sent it off. Hoping & praying that out of the hundreds of thousands of emails they receive, they might read & respond to mine.

It was kicked back undeliverable.

Not to be deterred...I went back, messed with the address a little bit...sent it off again & WALLA...it went through!

I attached a link to my blog post with pictures of us at the Red Wings Game, along with my dad's Kodak Father of the Year link to assure them that it wasn't just a hoax...or someone trying to trick them to get something for free based on a fake story.

Next thing I know, they contacted my dad's secretary at work & got some info & then told her that he would receive a phone call in the morning.

THIS MORNING THE CALL CAME!

My dad didn't believe it and almost hung up on him. He thought his friends were playing a trick on him. But finally he realized who it was....

The coach of The Detroit Red Wings, Mike Babcock...also the coach of the Olympic Canadian team that beat the U.S.

RED WINGS STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP WIN

My dad was shocked! He couldn't believe it. The call came just before he left for his chemo treatment. While going through treatment, he sent me several text messages that I wanted to share (I'm sure he wouldn't mind):

"Currently getting my chemo. I am still on a high. I gathered the staff here at the treatment center and told them the story. I sailed right through chemo. I talked to all the family & told several people in the city. I'll be riding this for weeks!

When he got back to work, I received another text, "It's snowing like crazy but I can't sit in the office. I had to go out for a walk...this was incredible."

As I write this post, another text just came in, "Wow! I'm still flying. What a great day. I have told the story to so many people. Wow!"

What an amazing organization the Red Wings have! I want to send a special thank you to Mr. Ilitch, Mr. Babcock & the PR dept.

They are truly caring people & have made such a difference...THANK YOU!!

**Mr. Babcock told my dad that the next time he is at the Red Wings game, he can come down & meet all the players also!

Trip To A Hockey Game

My parents were here until Sunday & my dad (really my step-dad, but he raised me), loves hockey. My sister got us tickets to the L.A. Kings vs. Detroit Red Wings game. My dad was actually in the Red Wings farm program when he was younger, growing up in Michigan. He also was on the semi-pro hockey team (a Goalie) when we lived in Reno, NV..."The Reno Aces."

I held my camera phone in the row behind us to sneak a pic & then sent it to my dad saying, "True Red Wings fan!"

My hubby took this pic w/his phone when we were all moving around~my mom, dad & me.

We spent our younger years at the rink. My brother John also played hockey & I took figure skating lessons.

I still can do some jumps & spins. I surprised my husband, kids & myself when we went skating one time.

Look how young the kids were! (Missing Natascha)


Getting ready to spin my stepson!

The game was really fun. We had great seats & the Red Wings pulled out to an early 3-0 lead. We were so happy & thought, "Ya they got this!" Three points in hockey is a lot. We were glad that my dad was going to get to see his team win. Then the Kings scored and then two more in a row, one off the Red Wing goalies error.

We couldn't believe it... they tied it up.

Two minutes left & the Kings scored what ended up being the winning goal.

I felt so bad for him!

He had attended the Mighty Ducks vs. the Red Wings game earlier in the week with my sister & they lost that one too!

Oh well...it's just a game right? I guess I was just hoping that with all my dads been through with his chemo & stuff, that the Red Wings had to win because he never gets to see them play.

I told him that he's going to have to keep getting better so he can go see them play in Michigan and visit his sisters.

My parents left on Sunday but we had a great time & I'm hoping that we'll be able to go up to Utah in the summer to visit them, depending on the boys football pre-season schedule...fingers crossed!

Coming Together For A Cause

I have been really stretching and growing lately (the comfort zone thing). I want to make a difference any way I can...which can be a little stressful when you doubt yourself a lot. I decided to sign up to take a dinner to the Gane family (this is HUGE for me). I know most of you think, "What's the big deal?" Well you've never had the displeasure of eating my cooking! Even my own kids HATE my meals. I'm not exaggerating, I'm BAD, I don't enjoy it either. It falls right up there with the laundry category (which my husband does). He refuses to cook though...so everyone gets to suffer.

I make one good dinner, tacos...everyone loves my tacos. Now I'll give you one guess what I'm making for the Gane family...yep, you're right. I'm going to bring chips and salsa and banana splits for desert (this should make them happy...it's a bunch of boys). I'm really starting to see some growth here...Woo Hoo!

Tonight there is going to be a prayer concert for Luke http://lukegane.blogspot.com/
He has started the chemo and is VERY SICK! He will be receiving the bone marrow transplant on Tuesday, Sept. 2 from his ten year old brother. So if you can all keep praying for Luke and his family!!

Tomorrow they will be having a fund-raiser, "Locks for Luke"...they are asking for a $20.00 donation and shaving the boys heads in Luke's honor and to help raise money for the family. If you are interested in donating money please contact, bfisherhb@yahoo.com (I don't have the specific account information)...any amount ($1.00, $5.00, $10.00) every little bit adds up. I will be taking my son there and also taking pictures to post and forward to the family.

I would like to encourage all my blogging friends to come together for a cause...(praying and/or donating)...YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONES LIFE!!

PRAY FOR LUKE GANE!

I blogged a little bit about a player on my son's High School Football team who had a bloody nose that wouldn't stop. He went to the Dr.'s and found out he has Aplastic Anemia ( a rare blood disease).

He now will be starting chemotherapy and eventually receive a bone marrow transplant from one of his brothers (both twins were a match). The team will be leaving to go play a football game in Hawaii on Monday, which Luke was supposed to be playing in also. He will start treatments on Tuesday, so I am asking all of my Blogging friends to please pray for him, stop by his Blog...http://lukegane.blogspot.com/ leave him a message of encouragement and hope as he begins his battle. They have posted pictures, messages, information explaining this disease that can strike at anytime and his daily progress reports.