Friday UPdate

Ronald's Friday Update

Thank you

Thank you for any and all your prayers and faith as Ronald's WNC/neutrophils shot up from 100 yesterday to 300 overnight!!!  He is making his own platelets now and those are on the rise as well!  He is still experiencing intermittent spikes in temperature so running some more tests and scans today but Ronald feels they are "drug fevers" due to the toxicity of a few they've had to give him. 

We are praying that as these blood cells are all forming now (and so wonderfully quickly) that they are healthy and able to mature properly to fulfill their full function for a healthy Ronald!!! 

We are truly blessed to have such wonderful, committed, and faithful family and friends!  I (Stephanie) snuck off to the SLC temple this morning and while there, was blessed with an overwhelming knowledge of the tremendous amount of love and faith that is drawing power in our behalf!! 

We are absolutely certain that the Lord is aware of every detail and every heartfelt prayer administered and we have felt His personal attention and love for every one of us!!!  Thank you for allowing those feelings and knowledge!! We are truly, truly blessed!!!

temple this morning

The small and wonderful blessings

March 18:

" So our over all team Doctor just reported that no leukemia cells were found in his marrow biopsy from Friday. First milestone...CHECK!. The 30 day marrow test is most significant because by then his WBS ( white blood count) should be back up and that will tell if they are reproducing cancer cells among them!!! Thank you for all the love, sacrifice, and patience administered so freely and powerfully our behalf!!!"

March 19:
Today, Ronald's platelets and white blood count/neutrophils went UP already which the dr said quote " that is quite awesome" since they typically see a rise more around the 25th day and today is his 19th. We feel so very blessed! We would like to express sincere gratitude for the rapid increase and that his headaches are subsiding and we would like to pray for the blessing of these vital counts continuing to increase as rapidly as allowable, that his fever will break and that he have more energy. Please let your children know as well as we continue to feel strongly that the faith of many children is truly a powerful blessing for us.

Sunday Update

 

In response to the question, "How is Ronald doing?" the answer seems most often to be, "He's doing how you do the week after chemotherapy." Sometimes he feels good, sometimes he feels tired, sometimes downright crummy.  He's had two blood transfusions, a bone marrow biopsy, a short-lived fever, and  some yucky headaches.  He had days he ate very little and some days he ate more than very little.  He was allowed minimal visits from the outside world--only immediate family.  Stephanie is with him almost all the time.  She left the hospital a few times this week to spend time in the temple and to attend some events for Ryker and Syvanna.  Syvanna and Ryker both came home this week with straight A's on their report cards and continue to be awesome.  They attended the temple twice this week (Bountiful and Logan), Ryker taught the deacon's quorum today and Syvanna taught the Mia Maid class with her friend, Kenadie.  Rylan was his sweet, wonderful, angelic self all week.

The family is preparing the house in hopes that he returns soon.  He will need a germ-free environment so there has been a lot of cleaning going on throughout the house and carpet cleaners are coming in this week.  This necessitated the removal of furniture from the main areas of the house. Once again, angels showed up to help and the load was lightened.  Thanks to all who served in any way this week.  Gratitude for all of the kindness, service, and generosity is mentioned in every single prayer.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-week visitors.  Selleka slept at the hospital with Ronald on Wednesday night

 

 

 

The awesome Cleaning Crew!!!

 

 

 

Look familiar? Cute brothers in the back seat driving to the hospital after church

 

 

Week III of the Sunday Dinner at the Hospital tradition.  So fun that Ronald could join in. 

 (Doesn't he look all snappy in his Sunday go-to-church clothes and that bright blue mask?)

 

Watched The Saratov Approach in the suite tonight after dinner.

 

 

Quote of the week from Professor Ryker: 

 "That was 'glass half empty' kind of talk. We want 'glass half full" 

Well said, Professor, well said :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Update :)

Does this look like a sick man?

Today, Ronald looked more like a visitor to the hospital than a patient.  He sports his everyday attire, his snappy new Asics (thanks, Brandon!), and frequently asks people throughout the day, "Does this look like a sick man?!" 

Looking at these smiles, you'd never know what a crazy couple of weeks these two have had.

Tonight, FHE was dinner and science homework at the hospital.

We discovered that Syvanna has a hidden talent for holding a pizza while napping on the way to the hospital. 

Ryker's science homework was to construct a 3D model of DNA (ironic given the frequency with which this word has been used in the family lately)  Ronald and Ryker decided to make a strand out of candy and cereal.  It turned out great!!

As it turns out, Syvanna has never had a French Dip sandwich.  Upon seeing one on the hospital menu last week , she decided it was time to try one.  Tonight was Syvanna's debut of the French Dip.

A note about these two teenagers:

 Every day of this trial we try to count our blessings and see the hand of the Lord.

One of the blessings we count every day is the sweet friendship Syvanna and Ryker have.

They are so kind and good to each other, they genuinely enjoy each other's company, and they constantly have each other's backs.  Some siblings are polite to each other in public and not-so- friendly in private--not these two.  They are as fun together at home as in public.  They read scriptures together every morning at 615 am and they like to share the same recliner and watch movies together on the weekends.  They are a great blessing to us all, especially now.

Tonight on the way home to Ogden from the hospital, this song by AVICII came on the radio and Ryker was singing along.  He said, "This song is about me and Syvanna". 

"Brother / Sister"

Hey brother, there’s an endless road to re-discover.

Hey sister, know the water's sweet but blood is thicker.

Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you,

There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do.

Hey brother, do you still believe in one another?

Hey sister, do you still believe in love, I wonder?

Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you,

There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do.

What if I'm far from home?

Oh, brother I will hear you call.

What if I lose it all?

Oh, sister I will help you out!

Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you,

There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do.

Hey brother, there’s an endless road to re-discover.

Hey sister, do you still believe in love, I wonder?

Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you,

There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do.

What if I'm far from home?

Oh, brother I will hear you call.

What if I lose it all?

Oh, sister I will help you out!

Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you,

There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do.

                                               WE LOVE YOU, SYVANNA and RYKER!!!



SUNDAY

As mentioned earlier, Ronald cannot have visitors in his room this week other than limited visitation by immediate family members.  This week will help show how the cancer responds to chemotherapy and will help for long-term treatment planning.  We are praying this week that all involved will be guided in this planning.  We welcome your faith and prayers.  Thank you so much.

Chemo IVs are out

Feeling like Pinocchio!  Got no strings to hold him down...

Lookin' Great!

Ronald's brother, mom, and sister

The Committed 7 (now Committed 8 with Drake)

The drives back and forth from Ogden to Salt Lake are a good time to catch up on some sleep!

New tradition:  Sunday dinner and family meeting at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Tonight, everyone shared messages of hope and faith to help each other tackle the coming week.  A favorite quote tonight was from Elder Eyring:  IF YOU DO NOT BUILD UPON A FOUNDATION OF FAITH, THEN YOUR ENDURANCE WILL CRUMBLE.

Super special treat tonight!

Stephanie's brother, Michael, and his talented friends came up and sang some beautiful songs for the family.  It was perfect.

UPDATE

hey guys! So my dad is doing wonderful! Today however he is at a ZERO on his immune level. This means that his immune system is completely broken down so he has no white blood cells. This in turn means he would be unable to fight off any infection that may come his way. So we just would like to refrain from visiting him for the next 5 days. We are so grateful for your love and wanting to come and support him but it is in his best interest not to have anyone come and visit. thank you all so much!

Rex Lee Cancer Run

The Rex Lee Run Against Cancer is a strong annual tradition at BYU. The run was originally organized in 1996 in honor of BYU President Rex E. Lee who passed away that year as a result of cancer. Now in its 19th year, the run continues to be put on by the BYU Cancer Awareness Group, a student club of those who are interested in raising public awareness about cancer, assisting those who are dealing with this illness, and seeking cures for this disease by raising money for cancer research. All proceeds go to fund cancer research fellowships at the BYU Cancer Research Center. 

 

 

Stephanie, Selleka, Syvanna, and Ryker all got permission to sleep in Ronald's room with him last night before the race.  They had a great time in suite 4550.

 

 

 

 

Handing out bibs and shirts

 

 

The Ronald Simmons Running Team (minus Michael who is taking the picture)

 

The happy finishers!!
(minus Michelle who is taking the picture)

 

 

 

We loved the race volunteers.  They were the BEST!!

 

 

Rex Lee's daughter and Stephanie became fast friends

 

 

Fun Race for DAD!!!  We love you, Ronald!!!

 

Ronald finished his first round of chemo late tonight...photos and more details about that tomorrow