Our friend Paul passed away today. He was surrounded by his wife Kelli and all of their family. Dena (Kelli's mom) has blogged that they were able to read the many messages of love and support sent on the Hutton blog throughout the day. Everyone is grateful that Paul is no longer suffering.
I can't say enough about what a remarkable young couple Paul and Kelli are. Their strength, hope, and perserverence is inspirational. They both have amazing family support for which I know they are grateful.
So tonight we honor Paul and pray for his spirit. We also pray for continued strength, comfort, and guidance to Kelli, their children Gabe and little Paul, and the parents, brothers and sisters of the Hutton/Wall family.
Jon and Lorri Nichols
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Chemo Day
Back at chemo today. Jon's blood work remains perfect and for him it's been a pretty uneventful week. He keeps telling the staff at SCTWC that he's been cancer-free for months but he just enjoys the routine here and how everyone waits on him. He says it's like a vacation in a five-star hotel and his insurance picks up the tab. It's nice that he never seems to lose his sense of humor.
On a more serious note, we ask that you keep our friends Paul and Kelli Hutton in your prayers. Paul has been unable to receive chemo for the past few weeks as his blood counts have been too low. He has been at Swedish Hospital all night receiving blood and platelet transfusion in hopes of starting chemo again. He is also receiving high doses of morphine to control his cough so he's pretty out of it these days. Kelli blogs that he has been surrounded by family day and night.
On a more serious note, we ask that you keep our friends Paul and Kelli Hutton in your prayers. Paul has been unable to receive chemo for the past few weeks as his blood counts have been too low. He has been at Swedish Hospital all night receiving blood and platelet transfusion in hopes of starting chemo again. He is also receiving high doses of morphine to control his cough so he's pretty out of it these days. Kelli blogs that he has been surrounded by family day and night.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
A Few Wedding Photos
Levi and Ericka, September 15, 2007
Staci and Octavio, October 20, 2007
Father Daughter Dance
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Jon Smiles
Remember the guy that would never smile? This picture is from Levi and Ericka's wedding and the smiles have only gotten bigger and broader in the last month. His hair has grown quite a bit more since this photo, too. All in all he looks pretty good for a guy that was supposed to be dead months ago.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Chemo Day
Back at chemo. Jon's blood counts are all completely in the normal range. His platelets have gone from 90 to 272. Unbelievable, says he feels better today then he has felt in two years!
November 2 is the one year anniversary date of his diagnosis. I'm thinking of throwing a Survival Party. Jon thinks I'm wierd :)
November 2 is the one year anniversary date of his diagnosis. I'm thinking of throwing a Survival Party. Jon thinks I'm wierd :)
Monday, October 22, 2007
Back Home
We returned from California at about 1:30 this morning (our flight was delayed due to high winds). The wedding was beautiful and our happy bride and groom are off enjoying their honeymoon in Hawaii. I have given up being the family photographer because I was finding myself missing out on the activities when I was busy taking the pictures. As such, I am now relying on everyone else to do the job and email me pictures. I have a nice selection of Levi and Ericka but am now waiting for Staci and Octavios. I will do a good wedding picture post of both nuptials as soon as I am up to date with the newly married Marquezs.
Jon is doing amazingly well. He felt great during the entire trip even though he had his decayed tooth extracted on Tuesday without taking the recommended antibiotics first. Of course he woke up in the middle of the night with fever and chills which had subsided by Wednesday with Tylenol, mataki drops, and vitamin C. (Have I mentioned how bullheaded the guy is???) When I'm irritated from taking care of him at 2 in the morning because he didn't take the prescribed meds I remind myself that this is the exact stubbornness that will beat this cancer.
Jon's latest theory is that the combination of Tarceva, Gemzar, and Taxol superkilled his cancer cells. Although he felt like crap at the time he says he feels better now than he has since he was diagnosed. Our new schedule is the best of both worlds...intravenouses Gemzar and Taxol for four weeks, oral Tarceva for one week, and so on, until mid December. We also just found out about a new drug, Nexavar that works with a similiar mechanism as Tarceva but has been proven more effective for both kidney and liver cancer. Cancer cells frequently become immune to chemotherapies that have worked int the past so it is exciting to have as much ammunition in your arsenal as possible (did I just say ammunition? ...I think we've been married too long already.) So life here in the Nichols family is good.
Please remember in your prayers of friends Paul and Kelli Hutton. Paul was diagnosed with testicular cancer around the same time as Jon. He had failed all standard medical treatments and has been treating at SCTWC for the past few months. Although he had initial improvement the last week has been very difficult and his symptoms have rapidly worsened. As I am writing he is receiving a blood and platelet transfusion at Swedish Hospital in hopes of continuing his chemotherapy this week. Please send all of your love, prayers and positive thought to Paul, Kelli and their sons Gabe (3 yrs) and Paul Jr (4 months). Hope must always spring eternal in fighting this disease.
Jon is doing amazingly well. He felt great during the entire trip even though he had his decayed tooth extracted on Tuesday without taking the recommended antibiotics first. Of course he woke up in the middle of the night with fever and chills which had subsided by Wednesday with Tylenol, mataki drops, and vitamin C. (Have I mentioned how bullheaded the guy is???) When I'm irritated from taking care of him at 2 in the morning because he didn't take the prescribed meds I remind myself that this is the exact stubbornness that will beat this cancer.
Jon's latest theory is that the combination of Tarceva, Gemzar, and Taxol superkilled his cancer cells. Although he felt like crap at the time he says he feels better now than he has since he was diagnosed. Our new schedule is the best of both worlds...intravenouses Gemzar and Taxol for four weeks, oral Tarceva for one week, and so on, until mid December. We also just found out about a new drug, Nexavar that works with a similiar mechanism as Tarceva but has been proven more effective for both kidney and liver cancer. Cancer cells frequently become immune to chemotherapies that have worked int the past so it is exciting to have as much ammunition in your arsenal as possible (did I just say ammunition? ...I think we've been married too long already.) So life here in the Nichols family is good.
Please remember in your prayers of friends Paul and Kelli Hutton. Paul was diagnosed with testicular cancer around the same time as Jon. He had failed all standard medical treatments and has been treating at SCTWC for the past few months. Although he had initial improvement the last week has been very difficult and his symptoms have rapidly worsened. As I am writing he is receiving a blood and platelet transfusion at Swedish Hospital in hopes of continuing his chemotherapy this week. Please send all of your love, prayers and positive thought to Paul, Kelli and their sons Gabe (3 yrs) and Paul Jr (4 months). Hope must always spring eternal in fighting this disease.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Week Off
Levi, welcome to the computer age, Excellent Post!!!
FYI everyone, Jon bought a new pair of jeans yesterday :)
Jon felt great all weekend and called excitedly to tell me he "hiked right up that mountain" while hunting in the Methow Valley. Got back home Sunday night and started back on the evil Tarceva last night. He says if he starts feeling poorly he will stop it and check with Dr. Chue on an alternative during his weeks off.
So today is an all around excellent day. Jon feels and looks great. His hair is growing back, he's put on a few pounds, and is in good spirits. Today is also my birthday, we have the day off from chemo and I have the day off work. Our plan is to lounge around most of the day and go out to dinner tonight with the family. It's so nice to have Elizabeth back on this side of the mountain for these occasions.
So it looks like Jon will be feeling well for Staci and Octavio's wedding. I am so grateful that he's in good shape for the trip! We leave Thursday morning for the festivities and will be back late Sunday night. I will post some pictures early next week.
FYI everyone, Jon bought a new pair of jeans yesterday :)
Jon felt great all weekend and called excitedly to tell me he "hiked right up that mountain" while hunting in the Methow Valley. Got back home Sunday night and started back on the evil Tarceva last night. He says if he starts feeling poorly he will stop it and check with Dr. Chue on an alternative during his weeks off.
So today is an all around excellent day. Jon feels and looks great. His hair is growing back, he's put on a few pounds, and is in good spirits. Today is also my birthday, we have the day off from chemo and I have the day off work. Our plan is to lounge around most of the day and go out to dinner tonight with the family. It's so nice to have Elizabeth back on this side of the mountain for these occasions.
So it looks like Jon will be feeling well for Staci and Octavio's wedding. I am so grateful that he's in good shape for the trip! We leave Thursday morning for the festivities and will be back late Sunday night. I will post some pictures early next week.
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